autumn visitors!

new england in the fall really is something

else. the leaves are truly spectacular. i'm just so darn excited to have seasons again after living in perpetually pleasant southern california that autumn is bringing out the kid in me. i like to play in the leaves, put on jackets and hats, and breathe in that chilly leafy air. we have enjoyed the visits of some of our favorite people the last couple of weeks so i'll throw up some pictures of fall splendor and mark's mom bert (aka abuelita or 'wita') and my sister kari and her son tanner. we love visitors so come and see us!

the boys and a old cannon in york, maine

kari got some punishment in front of the 18th century jail

with wita at the cape neddick lighthouse

one of my new favorite spots: the public gardens in boston

Lamenting Laundry

Remember when you were a kid and clean clothes magically appeared in your closet and drawers? I so long for those days... I despise laundry. I loathe all aspects of it minus the having clean clothing to wear. Our apt. does not have a washer or dryer in the unit. I would love it if it did, but I can live without as long as it's in the building. Sadly, our building does not have a washer or dryer either. The 'laundry room' advertised with this apt. is actually down the street, around the corner and through the parking lot three buildings away. Then you have to go down a steep flight of wooden stairs to the damp basement. Add to this two children (one 18 month old who is officially faster than me--really) and two huge overflowing bags of laundry and it becomes even more 'inconvenient.'

I have also tried loading the stroller with the laundry and walking the kids down the street the opposite way and around the corner and down the block to the laundry mat where I can do it all in the super mega washers of doom (one machine equals four regular loads!!!). But then I get to deal with bored kids who play crash with the rolling baskets, beg nonstop for food, climb in dryers and cause other havoc. And I thought washing my clothes by hand with a bar of blue soap in Venezuela was hard? Sometimes it just feels good to complain a little...or a lot. :) So my new wish is for this portable ventless washer/dryer combo that hooks up to the kitchen sink. It might even actually fit into the small space between the counter and the kitchen table where our trash can now resides. And, yes, I am officially slow (see above) and old as I wish for appliances instead of cool trips or a cute sweater. What do you do?