Fall Family Pics

After a long mental debate whether I really wanted to exert the energy to get everyone ready for pictures, we decided to take advantage of the last beautiful fall day before snow.  My extremely talented and creative friend, Rachel Schultz, took these family pictures for us at City Park in Ft. Collins.  (She should also have the credit for this blog design!)

Getting ready for Cape Town

Our family will be departing for Cape Town, South Africa on December 28th, 2011.  Anya (2.5yrs) has been saying she's excited to "sleep on the plane".  We are praying that will happen as we will be spending a total of 24 hours on a plane!  There is so much to prepare for before we go!  We're sending in our paperwork for our visas this week.  We need to get an international driver's license at AAA...but I'm doubtful it will really prepare me for driving on the opposite side of the road from what I know as the passenger's seat!  Driving in Cape Town is probably my biggest fear.  I think back to the first time my Dad took me out driving.  I put my right foot on the gas, and my left foot on the brake.  The anxiety my Dad probably felt when he saw my first attempt is probably similar to what I feel about driving myself and my little girls around in a new country, a new town, and a new way of driving! 
My packing list seems a bit ambiguous, as I'm not sure what is actually going to fit in our 4 checked bags, and 4 carry on bags.  We can pay to bring more, but I'm contemplating if it would be more affordable to pay for extra suitcases ($140 per bag) or just buy things there.  I'm excited to live more simply though.  I know I'll be surprised by how little we really need! 
The count down is on...10 weeks!