Chicago

Is it the long plane trips we've taken that have made the kids such good travellers? Yesterday was a long drive (PA, OH, IN, IL) but it was pretty uneventful.  Three movies (thanks, Donna), some travel games (thanks, Lisa), Wii (thanks, Rich) and DS helpes pass the time.  Rich actually let me drive a little bit so don't believe him if he says he drove the whole way...it's not like I haven't been offerring.
We're going to hang around Chicago today for a bit before heading off to Omaha.  Me, I could skip the city but I'm really looking forward to driving through Iowa and Nebraska. Is it possible for the midwest to seem exotic?
Cecilia keeps shaking her head and laughingly saying, "I still can't believe we're actually doing this!"
Oh, we've also decorated our car.  It says (among other things) Have you seen us? Snap our pic and send it to lrcaat@gmail .com. CT to Grand Canyon  Two people have responded but several more have slowly driven by, taking our picture and waving.

To those who seeus on the road...

If you have trouble posting a picture, please comment when and where you saw us. We're trying to work out the settings right now. At our next stop (Chicago!) we'll set up a facebook page for pictures. Thanks for your time and patience :) ~the buenos Update: send your pictures to LRCAAT@gmail.com and we'll post them once we get to Chicago!

first pictures

One day done, 16 left to go. The 6 hours didn't seem too long... a lot shorter than expected, but I'm totally not looking forward to the 9 hours to chicago today. Oh well. The hotel breakfast was great-- they had a 'make your own waffle machine!!! I didn't like waking up at 7 (after falling asleep at 1) by mom, dad, and tamsin "whispering", but oh well. Thus is the family road trip...

Heres the first pictures. they're not done, but i have to leave, like, NOW... so here they are:

One more note

Must get out of hotel room fast.  Kids are incapable of behaving in one room for long periods of time.

First stop: State College, PA

Yay! We actually got out of our house and started our journey! We didn't get going until 5 pm because, well, you know all those last minute things that need to be done (plant potatoes, pick up the yard...)
We've informally decided a couple of eating rules: focus is on diners and, once the diner has been chosen by name from Rich's gps, there's no backing out once we see it. We ate at Milford Diner in Milford, PA (almost backed out of decision but persevered).  Only one thing of note: a big round of applause goes out to Rich who kept his cool even when Alex spilled his glass of ice water on him. We all held our breath but Rich was very gracious.  Go Rich!
Best Western, room for 6.  No more to be said about hotel.
After a swim and breakfast (and maybe a stop at the Penn State Creamery), we'll be on our way to Chicago: 9 more hours. (not fun - Tamsin)