With bags packed and the car loaded, we were on our way out of town.
The checklist was completed.
Were were ready to roll.
*The smiles you see above were not there two hours later when we were back in our driveway getting ready to "start" our journey AGAIN! Why were we back? I forgot my purse. In it was the cash for our trip (easy to get more), my phone (as hard as it would have been, I could have gone without it), and the thing that really mattered was my driver's license (which I would need later in the trip to get on the airplane). So, we had to come back home and get it. That set us back by two hours. Brett eventually did forgive me, and it was pretty smooth sailing.
We drove to Lincoln, Nebraska, and spent the night in a hotel. There was a pool and a continental breakfast. We arrived too late in the p.m. to use the pool when we got there, and Brett was too excited to get on the road in the a.m., so we ate breakfast and left.
Before we really got on the road we had to get gas.
We put the children to work removing the bugs that had their lives cut short by our van.
We settled in for the drive. (I guess I wasn't entertaining enough for Brett.)
Caleb enjoyed reading.
Claire - just being silly, however I think we were all feeling this way to be in the van again.
Emily playing games.
Just plug this boy in, and he is happy - music, games, t.v., movies - if it is electronic, Eli is its friend.
We arrived at my aunt an uncle's house around dinner time. My aunt had a casserole ready to go in the oven, so we were fed and entertained. My cousin came over with his family. It was fun getting reacquainted with them and meeting their youngest.
The CHILDREN enjoyed playing the candy bar game. Even though there was some healthy competition and tempers, it was all good in the end.
On Sunday we went to church with my aunt and uncle, and then the family came over again. Not only did all of the little cousins come over again, but my other cousin and her husband came for dinner and they spent the night.
Sunday evening we went to a park called Garden of the Gods. The were rock formations and the trails were beautiful.
We came across this guy playing the didgeridoo.
One of the formations.
My family after the trek around part of the park.
The silly girls.
This little guy loved to put his fingers in his ears and listen to himself.
Kissing Camels under the moon.
... and the sleeping arrangements.
Claire
Emily
Caleb
Eli
On Monday we went to an indoor park. There was mini-golfing, go-carts, laser tag, a kid's room, bumper cars, and an arcade.
Here we are waiting to play laser tag.
A couple of my goof balls doing the go-carts.
After the indoor park, we went home and grilled burgers and hot dogs. We left the children and went to a late night movie, Inception, with my cousin and his wife.
We had a wonderful visit with my family. It was great to get reacquainted and build the family bonds. We love you guys and appreciate all that you do for us.