Catching up in D.C.

Since we arrived in D.C. at midnight Saturday night, we've been "making the rounds" catching up with old friends and making plans to see lots of others over the next few days and weeks. Sunday we went with Cathy to the outlet mall for phase one of our assault on the US shopping infrastructure. Sunday afternoon we finally made it to Gary & Karyn's for long enough to unload our stuff. We've enjoyed their hospitality, and though we haven't hung out with them much yet, we will! Sunday night Betsy and Cathy hung out with Jenny, while Mike and I watched DC United win in the Superliga. Monday saw us raid Target with abandon, and we devastated a Harris Teeter yesterday. Monday Betsy went to see the newest Harry Potter movie with Cathy and I spent the evening catching up with my friend Tim. Yesterday we both went in for lunches with our former EPA colleagues, and Betsy is back there today. Last night brought a terrific dinner at Central, Michel Richard's new resto on Pennsylvania Ave, with our friends Wally & Maria. Tonight we'll see Matt & Beth for dinner at their place, and we'll see our boys for the first time since Saturday in Ohio! They'll spend the night in D.C. tonight and we'll catch up with Jane Phelan tomorrow morning before they head back to Baltimore. In the afternoon I'm going to see the Simpsons movie with Wally before I head to happy hour with the work gang and Betsy heads to dinner with her work gang. Friday morning I head to NYC for the weekend, and I know Betsy has tons planned but I don't know the details. Sunday Betsy's dad is in town for a visit, and we have to let Betsy go home Monday before diving into another round of visits here, this time with the boys!

Lakeside pics, step 1

The full Forinash clan, all three generations, outside the Lakeside house.



Uncle Michael with Carter at the Lakeside coffee shop. Happy 25th birthday too, Michael!



Uncle Derek and Calvin teach Cousin Peter how to shuffleboard.

Washingtoning

We made it to Washington, D.C., about 15 minutes ago and are staying at Cath's tonight. I haven't gotten our pictures from Lakeside in shape, but here are some from my brother and sis-in-law Michael & Jessica. Thanks guys! We all had a completely lovely time in Lakeside and miss it (and all of you) already.

Lakeside

As Mike mentioned in his comment, we did make it to Lakeside on Friday, and have had several relaxing days in lovely weather with lots of family. And yesterday we went to Cedar Point and rode awesome roller coasters all day! Derek's family arrives today, completing our band of 19 (including 3 one-year-olds). We leave here on Saturday to head back to Arlington.

Chris in Belgium with Wiley & Griffin

Jenny, my longest-tenured friend, posted some pics of our beerventures in Belgium. Mmmmm, beer.

Mostly there

We made the bulk of our trip yesterday, from Paris to Madrid to Washington by air and from Washington to Somerset, Pennsylvania, by rented car. We're up and moving - it IS 2pm Paris time, after all - and about to hit the road to Lakeside, Ohio. We'll keep you posted!

On the road

Tomorrow very early we leave Paris to fly via Madrid to Washington. Once there, we plan to pick up a car and either start driving to Ohio. Our USA mobile phone should work - 703.587.3362. We also plan to forward our vonage number to ring on it, so you should also be able to reach us via 703.908.0796. Email will work, though we may have sporadic access for the first week while we're in Lakeside.

Here's the itinerary.

Thursday 19 July
-fly Paris to Washington
-drive Washington (part way) to Ohio

Friday 20 July
-drive (rest of way) to Lakeside, Ohio

Saturday 21 July - Friday 27 July
-Lakeside, Ohio

Saturday 28 July
-drive Ohio (part way) to Washington
-kids with Marilyn to Michigan

Sunday 29 July
-drive (rest of way) to Washington

Monday 30 July - Sunday 5 August
-Washington
-except Chris to NYC 3-5 August
-kids return sometime

Monday 6 August
-Betsy fly Washington to Paris, arrive Tuesday

Sunday 5 August - Saturday 18 August
-Chris & kids in Washington

Sunday 19 August
-Chris & kids fly Washington to Paris, arrive Monday

We'll see you soon!