sunshine!

Day 6: Val and the kids visited our condo. As it was a yucky rainy day, the kids spent their time in the indoor pool. For dinner we ate pasta with chicken Italian sausage all mixed together with tomato sauce. To top off our wonderful evening, the kids watched "The Spy Next Door" starring Jackie Chan.

Day 7: It was raining hard, again. The kids didn't feel like going to the pool so they searched for some other activity. "Color Me Mine" a local paint your own pottery place was open so Maddie, Jennifer, and peter decided it would be fun to do arts and crafts. As soon as we got to Color Me Mine, we saw people running around the place like chickens with their heads cut off. All the kids were furiously painting their sculptures and it looked like it would be a while before we got a table. We were told that it would be another two hours before a table opened up so we thought it best to take a trip to trader joes. On our way to trader joes we passed "Centerville Pie Co.", a local spot recommended by Oprah. We picked up a berry pie, shepherd pie and chicken pot pie. We gathered up our food and sped off to color me mine, highlighted by Jenn's rendition of "rapping", a high speed movement of the left hand back and forth while making a rapper like face. Peter painted a fiery dragon and a small alien, Jennifer painted a cute puppy accompanied by a penguin, and Maddie painted a two piece set of a tea pot and mug. Once their pottery was finished being painted, everyone came home for a delicious dinner of our chicken pot pie. After dessert the kids watched "The Night at The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian".

Day 8: We anxiously waited for the arrival of Sue, Bob and Ann. They arrived and we had turkey sandwiches. Dad and Jason played chess while the girls went shopping. A.K.A drove all around cape cod getting things for Sue's travels. We ate chicken pahm for dinner in honor of Val who had actually gone home to Marshfield.

Day 9: The morning started out misty but started to clear. The weather report said that by 3PM, the sun would shine. Since we had spent the past 4 days cooped up in the condo, weathering the rain storms, we were all anxious to get out and see the sights. Val and the kids had spent the night in Marshfield and were going to stay home but called in the morning to say they were bored and wanted to come down. So, we all (minus Val & Catherine) headed for Chatham. Susannah decided to bike and meet us there.

We got to Chatham and after a lot of searching, finally found a parking spot. We then had a delicious ice cream treat. Jen wanted the same kind that Maddie got, except that once it arrived, she didn't like it.

Since the hour was late when we finally headed back to Mashpee, we decided to eat out. The sox had won their game that day and so we thought we'd go to 99 since the kids could eat for free. The restaurant says that when the Sox win, kids eat free. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. It's only good the next day. We were still disgruntled as the Sox had won the game (technically) from the night before - it had been rained out and they played that day, winning the game. Mary Beth wrote a letter of complaint to the company since they didn't honor the spirit of the offer. When ordering our food Jen asked Maddie what she was having (chicken tenders) and then ordered the same thing. When our food came Maddie looked happy to have her chicken but Jen looked disappointed and only ate about an eight of what she was given.

Day 10: Big day for the Gills. Bob, Ann, Sharon & Darrell arrived with Peter Sr. Sadly, Peter Sr. changed his mind and stayed behind. Sharon had an abscessed tooth and couldn't come but Bob, Ann & Darrell arrived. Thus... the "one-two" punch of Bob, Ann & Darrell was inflicted upon us.

So many stories... so little time. Darrell is an endless source of entertainment. His antics are always good for a laugh or two. He played chess with Peter, Jen & Maddie. He clipped his toenails in the living room (with MB's clippers). Unfortunately, he also had foot fungus. So much for the new clippers that MB had just bought! Then before eating Anne reminded Darrell that he should wash his hands (in case he scratched his feet, thus infecting his hands).

TV entertainment consisted of the ongoing monologue of Glenn Beck, the Obama hater, and evening mass, highlighted by Darrell describing the bells during communion going "ding a ling, ling." Sue and Bob argued about the JFK trip but Bob refused to be a "sucker" for his kids, so Sue booked a flight from Logan to JFK. After another 20 minute argument ensued about the meeting place, quincy center, quincy or Braintree. K Mart was the eventual choice across the street from Braintree. Darrell smoked Peter and Maddie in chess.

Day 10: the trip to Martha's vineyard. Unfortunately the kids could not join us on this trip because even after a short walk to the info center at our resort, Jen complained about cramps in her stomach. Our trip started off on a rough note as Maddie was not notified that once she left the car, she would not be able to come back. As she pouted about not having her camera and sunglasses, aunt Sue made the trip back to the car to get them. Thanks Sue! After everyone had their belongings we boarded the ferry. Once we stepped off the ferry we headed to Anderson's Bike Shop and rented three bikes. We hopped on our road bikes and started pedaling the 6.8 mile journey to Edgartown. After our bikes were locked we all were starving, so we entered a local seafood restaurant. Sue and Jason split lobster quesadillas and salad, Maddie ordered lobster bisque and California rolls and Mary Beth had a Greek salad. After our yummy bite to eat Sue and Jason got back on their bikes and rode another 20 miles around the vineyard. Maddie and Mary Beth (feeling a little less adventurous) noodled around the shops. They made purchases at The Black Dog and Bone yard surf shop.