Roadtrip - Things we did RIGHT!

Our trip was stressful at times, but I was thankful for the way we did some things.
Here's our list so maybe we can help you on future trips.

Packing -
  -  We ditched the cloth at went for disposable diapers.  (I didn't want to have to lug the dirty ones around or figure out how other washing machines would work - cost about $40 for enough to take but it was worth it.)
  -  Baby food pouches.   I wasn't sure we would be able to find enough finger veges at every restaurant we went to, so I just stocked up on organic veg pouches to make sure I wasn't stressed about the baby food.
  -  Only have each person take 4 or 5 days worth of clothes.  Who has room for 14 days worth of outfits for each person?  Who even has 14 days worth of outfits???   We decided 4 or 5 would be perfect and we'd stop to do laundry 2 - 3 times.  That worked WONDERFULLY!
  -  Pack each outfit in plastic bags.   Including underwear, socks, hair pretties.....  Every morning, each person just picks out a bag of theirs and there is no coordinating outfits, digging through stacks....  Saved SO much time!

Loading the car
  -  Each kid got their small shoe box sized bin to fill with things to do, plus we had a basket of toys for baby.  We have one that would take everything she owned and one who would bring nothing.  By filling a bin, it had a limit on what to bring and a place to put it all away every time we left the car.
  Things stayed to much neater.
  -  Ditch the suitcase and throw all your baggies in bins.  They stack nicely in the car.  You don't need to have one for every person.  They are easy to carry into a hotel.



Car activities
  -  We bought Melissa and Doug's car bingo.  It is really cool and has multiple types of bingo sheets to suite whatever terrain you are traveling.

  -  We bought a book of massive dot to dots.  This was so amazing that the kids were FIGHTING over it.  Most of the puzzles go up to 1000 or so, so they take quite a while.

 -  Ginormous book of where's Waldo's.  This wasn't as popular as I had thought it would be with our two.  Dylan didn't even touch it and I thought he would like it the most.  I still think it is really cool.

  -  I brought prizes for winning bingo and Jimmy would randomly ask trivia like - how much is our bill? and - how many miles have we gone so far?  for a prize.
  -  I filled Easter eggs with fun treats.  When we got back in the car for a long drive, I would give them each one.  I had them numbered so they would get the same treat at the same time.  Everyone loved these so much!
  -  Our favorite entertainment was books on CD that we rented from the library.  We listened to BenHur (we thought this was way more interesting than we had previously given it credit for, and now want to see the movie!), The Hiding Place (such and AMAZING AMAZING true story!  I highly recommend.),  and nearly the entire series of Narnia.  We all loved it.  Since being home, we have ordered the movies and plan to have a marathon movie day!

Other
  -  Ask each person in the family something that they would really like to do on the trip.  Lexi wanted the Titanic and to see something about Lindbergh.  For Dylan, it was Guitar Center, Converse, and Cedar Point.  Jimmy was dying to go to the Titanic and was very excited for Cedar Point.  For me, it was mostly picking a couple things up I really needed from Ikea.  We all checked these things off our list, so we all had fun!
  -  Don't over schedule.  Some of our best times were down times.  We loved to just pick up snacks and have a relaxing night in once in a while.  Especially on big driving days.


                                HAVE FUN!!!!
 

Roadrip - things I might do differently NEXT time

Man does it feel good to be home!

A few things went wrong - but overall we had so much fun!

 - The first day, our fuel pump went out.  Jimmy did so good getting the van looked out by a trusted friend/mechanic.  We spent hundreds that day fixing things.  A fuel pump is not something you can really check.  It just goes out.  One thing we did learn was to never let your gas tank get below a quarter full.  It has to work hard and it settles and clogs up the filter which can burn out the pump.

 - I took some fun new activities and "prizes" for the kids, but they still had a really hard time getting used to sharing the back seat.  Being in such close proximity, really wore on both their nerves.  Next time I need to be even more prepared to keep them busy/entice them NOT to argue/discipline when they do.

 - In our mind there are 3 levels of places to stay. (I'll go into that in a future post.)  Last time we were at the stripped down level. That worked, but was tiring.  We decided, with the baby, we would step it up a level this time.  I think we have made the decision to step it up even more next time.  On our down days and rainy days, we really could have used a pool.  Most places we stayed did NOT have a pool.

 - Take an extra bin!!!!   We acquired a lot of stuff.  Some we bought, some were gifts.  We let them float around for a few days, but it was TOO much.  We had to stop at a Walmart and buy a couple bins to organize.  We have TONS of bins sitting in our garage, but because we weren't prepared, we came home with a couple new ones!

 - DON'T bring a giant cooler!  Last trip, we were preparing nearly all our own food, so we needed it.  This time, we pretty much only had a handful of waters in it and every once in a while - some leftovers from dinner that they couldn't part with.  Took up a HUGE amount of space and by the second week, we were using it as storage for things like baby food pouches and such.




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 - Don't go overboard on car snacks.  We tried to stop about every 2 hours for the baby.  That is about all she could handle happily before she wanted to get out and move around.  We were never in the car over a meal - so why did we need to bring a bunch of snacks???  Next time I won't.

 - By the time you've driven 1500 Miles, you might want to check your oil.  One minute our light popped on, and the next minute the van was shaking!  LUCKILY, we were RIGHT across the street from a Walgreens!  Whew!  Someone was looking out for us!

 - Take an atlas!  I know it is totally old school.  Jimmy didn't think we would need a map of ANY kind.  He has a fancy pants phone that has GPS.  Well, we don't have UNLIMITED 4G.  We have a limit.  We never come close to hitting the limit.  In our first day of the trip, we got an alert that we were within 10% of our limit.  Other time, the internet or the app wouldn't work properly.  Another Walmart run and we had an atlas.  I am a GREAT map reader ;)

Roadtrip Day 14 - The LOOOOONG Road Home!

We are ALL ready to head home.
We are ready for routine and our own beds.
I am really ready to get in the kitchen and cook some meals.

When things come to and end like this,
I have a hard time not jumping to the next thing.
My mind has already made mental lists of what needs to be done when I get home.
Thank you's sent.
Groceries gotten.
Food made for the girls' birthday parties.
I know it kind of takes the fun out of the last few days,
but it's a MOM to always be prepared for what's next.

We got on the road pretty early.
AND we gained an hour!!!!
The night before, we had picked up yogurts to eat in the car.
The kids also had some leftovers from dinner.
YAY!  We didn't have to waste time with breakfast!

We promised Jimmy a lunch at Al's Oasis.
Who has been across South Dakota and NOT eaten at Al's Oasis???
Everyone has to have that experience.

Our second stop that we were all looking forward to was in Murdo.
What's in Murdo, you say???
ONLY the best little ice cream shop EVER!!!!
Seriously, you have to stop at the little orange building and get a shake.
SO GOOD.

When we pulled up,
we surprised the girls with a new metal swingset in the back yard.
Jimmy had a great friend put it together while we were gone.
Lexi was still asking for one and we knew that Arabella would enjoy it for years.
Luckily, their birthdays are close enough we can share in the gift giving!
They were very happy!

Feels so good to be home! ( Only 3400 miles later!)

Roadtrip Day 13 - Surprise for the kids

Well here we are.
Our last leg before we head home.
Our last night in a hotel.
We had fun, but we are all ready to be home.

We packed up and left Cedar Falls and headed toward Sioux Falls this morning.
The kids had a rather large about of waffles and muffins,
     so we decided to wait to eat a big meal until we were there.
We asked online for an idea for our lunch.
All we saw online was the old stand-by things we had at home.
A few people recommended Granite City, so we gave it a try.
It was good food, but we would probably try something else next time.
Nothing stood out as amazing. 
I would recommend the Indiana Nachos.
They had 1/2 price appetizers so we tried them.
They were fresh cooked kettle chips with queso, cheese, green onions, tomatoes, and bacon.
YUM! 
We were mad when the kids were trying to eat them!

We took the kids to HyVee to pick out some snacks for later.
I am so impressed with their natural/organic section!
It's like a mini Whole Foods!
They had cleaning, essential oils, supplements, boxed foods.....
Why don't any of our stores have that?
Why can't we at least have that - if no Trader Joes or Whole Foods itself????
We are really lacking.

We got snacks because Jimmy and I thought ahead and planned to celebrate our last night.
We spent $25 - $30 extra for a hotel that had a nice pool and water slide/play area.
The kids were so excited.
Arabella tried to jump from my arms and cried when she couldn't go just then!

Everyone had a fun time playing for over 3 hours.
Now they've crashed and we are ready for our trek through our home state tomorrow.
Yay!

Roadtrip Day 12

We woke up and played with the babies this morning.
So nice to see all the kids playing together.

Stopped and got the kids a >gasp< Dunkin Donut this morning.
They loved it. 
Lexi actually picked a ham and egg wrap with hashbrowns.
Not on any healthy list, but has to be a better choice than a donut, right?

Confession time here.
We splurged and got quarts of Baskin Robbins to share in the car.
An hour later, we dug in and it was our lunch.
We'll chalk that one up to a great memory for the kids.
:)

YUM!!!!

My grandpa used to come visit us in Milwaukee and would visit Baskin Robbins 3 or 4 times in one trip for their chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
When we moved to a town 40 minutes away, he'd still trek there a few times.
It reminds me of him and of course it was in the same store as the donuts.
Anyway, it was a yummy lunch and no one died because there was no veggies.

BUT, Lexi isn't feeling well now.
Could it be the ice cream?

She is most likely dehydrated. 
My kids are very sensitive to not getting enough water.
With all the hoopla yesterday, I never really saw what she drank.
Probably next to nothing.
She had 3 girls near her age to play with!

Poor girly :( 

Got her laying down, drinking, lavender on her feet and chest, and peppermint on her back and forehead.
Hopefully a goodnight sleep will help.

Bring these EVERYWHERE.

That left us with not much to do for dinner.
I really needed veggies after all the ice cream.
Lexi did not want to get out of bed.
I sent the boys out for a boy's dinner and to bring us something back.
They tried to go to Applebees.
By our house, Applebees has a happy hour from 3 - 6 where all their appetizers are 1/2 off.
No such luck here.
Somehow they ended up at Wendy's.
Blech.
At least they brought me back a chicken salad.

Looks like a slow night in.
I think we all need it.  We are kind of wearing out.
Jimmy and I rented Admission from redbox and watched it on the computer.
Was sort of cute and not too much was terrible in it.

How much is that doggy in the window???

Happy Monday -
tomorrow on to Sioux Falls and a surprise for the kids!

Roadtrip Day 11

***** WARNING - TONS OF PICS COMING*****

Day 2 in Chicago.
Well the suburbs.
We never actually made it into the city.
Too much to do - too little time.

We began the day at the outlet mall AGAIN.
For some reason some crazy person pulled shoes for Dylan off the rack and looked at the Women's size - not the Men's size.
I don't know who that would have been.

We had to run to Walmart yet AGAIN.
I NEVER go to Walmart and I think this is the THIRD time since we've been gone that you could find me there.
There is one every time you turn around.
We had to organize the car and all the junk we accumulated since we've been gone.
Needed another bin.

We had a quick snack at McDonalds.  Yes, I said McDonalds.
We broke ALL the rules.
Went to gross fast food.
Went somewhere we'd been before.
Needed a place to get online, feed the baby a food pouch and get a quick snack.
We knew the big M met all those requirements.
DARN.

After our snack, we headed to Jimmy's cousin's house.
She was our refuge for the rest of the day and over night.
We hadn't met eachother's new additions!
She has a cutie that is only a month and a day older than Arabella!
He is adorable!

Arabella and Bobby playing together!

Lexi checking out the treehouse with the girls!

She had invited all of Jimmy's family down from Wisconsin.
So many came - it was wonderful.
We met another new addition - 3 month old Henry, learned of a new one coming, learned of an impending wedding - - - - so much news!
We had super yummy food and a great time catching up!
All of us were so tired and crashed by 11.

Arabella meeting her cousin Marriah

Three cousins

Jimmy and his grandma

Jimmy and his mommy

Jimmy and his uncle Rick

Of course the was yet another BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Wow - too much fun for this guy

Tomorrow, we arrive in Iowa.

Roadtrip Day 10

Wow!
10 days and going strong!
I woke up in Toledo happy this morning -
     happy we are on the down side
     happy we are making headway west - toward home
     happy to be gaining and hour back towards mountain time!

Got up, had a great breakfast with family and headed to Chicago.
Well, more importantly - IKEA!
I love certain things at IKEA.
Living in the middle of no big cities, I haven't been there in (I think) 9 years.
WHAT!!!  That is outrageous!
On my list, I needed a coat rack and a shoe rack.  GOT THEM!
We also picked up a few cute kids toys and some cool glasses.
We don't really have room in the stuffed van for much else!
 I was one happy mama!

Dylan is in LOVE with Converse at the moment.
We made his year by taking him to one of very few Outlet store in the country.
He got lots of stuff and hasn't stopped smiling.
This Outlet mall (Chicago Premium Outlets) is FANCY SCHMANCY!

Next, we made Dad's year by going to Giordano's for dinner.
Chicago style pizza IS the best.
Then even had a yummy gluten free thin crust for baby and mama.
YUMMY!
 Downtown Naperville is SUPER cute - people walking all over to restaurants and shops.
LOVE to see cities where everyone is walking place to place.

On another note - I do NOT miss city driving - and Illinois drivers are some of the CRAZIEST I've EVER seen.
Glad to live where I live.

Second day in Chicago tomorrow!

Roadtrip day 8 & 9. Holy Toledo!

(I was unable to get pics loaded  last night, so yesterday actually means 2 days ago - SORRY!!!)





Yesterday, we woke up, left Indy, and drove to Toledo.

My dad lives there.

My sister is visiting, too.

We had fun visiting-

    We don't get to see each other often!

The kids played outside.

We grilled out, 

     And celebrate a certain cute one yr old.

Reaching for her grain free ice cream cake - I'm sure there's still plenty of sugar ;)

Loving her decorations!

Yard games

Today we got up and headed to Cedar Point.

They day was beautiful!

There was lots of screaming, 

A little chickening out, 

Some very worn out kids by the end of the day!

View of the park and Lake Erie!  So pretty!

Making his own snow cone.

A rickety old wooden fave.  Ridden no less than 4 times this trip!

Jimmy ended with a Five Guys burger

Enjoying his Five Guys!

He said it was delicious.

Tomorrow, we'll be in Chicago!

Roadtrip Day 7 RELAX

Today was a day to relax.

Much needed.

We have all been exhausted and needed to catch up.

No one wanted to get out of bed.

Not even for breakfast.

I finally kicked them out to the pool, 

     So the baby could nap.

We finally got it together enough to take a walk and find some lunch.

Steak and Shake was right down the road, 

So that was our choice.

We took Dylan to yet another Guitar Center, 

Then picked up snacks for dinner from Trader Joes.

The boys dropped is off to give the baby a nap

       And went to find the little league field.

Timberline little league was here playing playing in the Midwest Regionals

And we know a couple kids playing.

We enjoyed nap time and they enjoyed baseball.

A great day to re-energize.

Tomorrow-on to my dad's house in Toledo!

Roadtrip Day 6 - MARATHON

NO.
I didn't run a marathon.
If you know me at all, you know that.
I try to run.  sometimes.
But I'm not a runner.

Our DAY felt like a marathon.
I messed up.
I was supposed to get us a hotel in St. Louis,
        then the next night in Indianapolis.
I did both nights in Indianapolis.
UGH.
To top it off, it is MY GIRL'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

We left Branson early - like 8:30 all packed up.  in the car.
That's like a record.
SO, we stopped a Krispy Kreme for the kids.
Can't pass that up, can you?
The hot light was on!

It was about lunchtime when we got to St. Louis.
We decided to just go ahead and park downtown by the arch and walk from there.
The arch was really cool.
Much more cool than I expected.
I couldn't believe the LONG LINES and immense security!
We don't have that at Mt. Rushmore!
We decided to not do the ride to the top because it took and hour and the wait was at least an hour.
We walked through the museum and took some good pics.

I think Lexi is a little photobug in training.

Downtown St. Louis is really beautiful.
They have so much greenspace and park area.
Imagine if they planted some fruit trees and veggies in it!

We needed lunch and went to Caleco's.
It's an Italian little place near the stadium and much better than I expected!
The kids shared a super yummy thin crust pizza.
The baby and I shared a salad and cream of broccoli soup.







After that we were on a mission to find the history museum.
Lexi HAD to see a display about Lindberg.
Although we couldn't find ANY information about him,
      they did have a replica of his plane hanging overhead.
That did not disappoint.

Back on the road at about 4:30 headed for Indianapolis.
What should have taken only 3 1/2 hours - maybe 4 with stopping
         turned into lots of construction, traffic, going 10 miles and hours.
FIVE hours later, plus an hour time change, we hit our heads on a pillow.
We were all tired.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY GIRL!!!!!!!!!
She really is wuch a wonderful addition to our family and I love seeing her personality develop.
We all adore her!

Today - relaxing in Indianapolis.