Emma's New Room

(Laura blogging) Emma has officially evicted Brendan from his old room. She has been squatting in a sleeping bag on the floor for the past couple of weeks, and will see the transformation (paint and furnishings) when she comes home today. Brendan isn't sad, though - he loves his new bed in the former "bonus room" and his new roommates: Harry and Carter. After the paint went up on the walls, Brendan didn't want to go in anyway - it's way too "girly" for him now.

Laura got to do what she has always dreamed of, too - she got to decorate a girl's room! We had most of the stuff already, with the exception of the mattress, bedding, curtains and lampshades. Emma will be sleeping in Laura's old bed that she grew up with, so on those rare nights when no one else is home, Laura might just find herself sleeping in Emma's room!

Emma Enchanted

(Michael blogging...) Last weekend we all schlepped down south on I-5 to make our annual pilgrimage to The Enchanted Forest. Michael's mother felt compelled to come along, too, as she didn't want to miss the spectre of our six kids let loose in a forest theme park. Alas.... she didn't last too long.

Emma seemed quite taken with the fairy tale aspect of it all and here is a picture of her and a neo-Cinderella. Emma was very exicited to have "magic" placed into her wand.

We hope to make this an annual tradition, even though it was a little hard dislodging Carter from the shoe-slide.

Dad & Me Camp

(Michael blogging....) Last weekend, Harrison and I went to our second year of "Dad & Me Camp" at Camp Magruder. Harry got to do some rope swinging, boating, and donkey riding. Lots of the dads and kids who were there had been there last year and it was good to see them again (even if I couldn't remember the bulk of their names!).

Next year will be Harry's last year for Dad & Me as it only goes through 2nd grade - but Emma and Carter will both be old enough in 2010 - so I can keep the tradition going!

More pics to come!

Getting Started...

Hooray! Our intial post!

This blog is our attempt to share the life of a blended family of eight (hence the name..) as it unfolds before us.

We've read the pop-psychology books, talked with friends and relatives, and seen enough television programing (The Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, Eight is Enough, etc) to know that the next decade or so will be filled with adventures, challenges, and love.

We hope you check in from time to time to what's new and drop a note to say "Hi."

- Michael & Laura

Tune in shorty as we prepare for our big day...