Eastward bound

(Ella with her toys)

So we began our trip in the wrong direction, yesterday we traveled the state of Indiana. This is only after we hit up Naperville one more time to finish off the last of our packing, which we hoped would last about an hour maybe two and ended up being three. It also didn't help that our departure fromLibertyville was planned for 7am and we didn't get off till 8 or 8:30. Our van is packed to the gills, with just enough room for the three of us to fit. The back is riding super low, but it didn't give us any problems on the drive. Shelley was white knuckled the whole time she was driving from Naperville to Dyer and from Dyer to Plainfield.

We went to Dyer to see Tara and John and their family, Nate's cousins. Ella had a blast playing with Samantha and Alex and boy is Jack ever cute. It was really great to get see them one last time before we headed out west. After arriving there 2 hours late we left there about another 2 hours late to head toPlainfield, a suburb of Indianapolis, to visit Didi and Wes and their family (also seriously cute kids). Dinner there was great but we felt bad we didn't arrive till eight so we all had a really late dinner, sorry about that. Although we aren't on a strict schedule we hate to think we areinconveniencing others. From here on out though, we have no strict times or really even dates set up with people, so we can take our time, or not, as the situation dictates.
We got into Champaign at 11:00, and pretty much crashed immediately. Katie(Nate's sis) has given us her room to stay in while we are here. Unfortunately, Ella decided that she really really wanted apple juice this morning at 5:00, and was screaming and crying hysterically for a long time. Of course we had left all her stuff in the car, and neither of us wanted to go out into the freezing cold to get her asippy cup. We got her calmed down though, and Nate did end up going out to get the sippy cup after all.
And so today, the 5th of March, we've been napping, and trying to repack the car, so that it is more organized and a better use of space. Tonight I'll be going to Capoeira, and Shelley, Ella and Katie will be making a big mashed potato and green bean casserole feast. Our "semi plans" will be keeping us here until Wednesday. Well we better get back to packing and visiting.