Summer Adventure- Destination #5

Destination #5- Chicago, IL (quick visit with family)

The kids sitting on Uncle Bill's motocycle.

The squirrel eating the peanut Jackson thew him.

Summer Adventure- Destination #4

Destination #4- Pure, MI (to see family and play in the lake)  What's not to love about the lake?

Eating.

Seeing family.

Learning to fish.

Fishing.

Playing in the water.

Taking the 'ice cream' boat to get ice cream--every day.

Hanging out with the dog.

Jumping off the dock.

Everybody jumping off the dock.

Playing with cousins.

Going to the sandbar.

Being loved on by Aunts and Uncles.



Love Pure, MI.
Thank you to Uncle Gary and Aunt Peggy for hosting us yet again!

Summer Adventure- Destination #3

Destination #3- Cape Cod, MA (to see our dear family friends and play in the ocean)

 

 

 

Thank you to the Randolphs for hosting us.
Counting down until we see you again!

Summer Adventure- Destination #2

Destination #2- Washington, DC (to see Aunt Karen and go to the Lincoln Memorial)

Washington Monument under referbishment because of the damage sustained in the earthquake.

Look kids, the White House.

Picking flowers in front of the Washington Monument.

Jackson and Matthew walking through the WW2 Memorial.

 

The kids did great with all the walking.
Yipee for not having to take a stroller!

Jackson pawing the Kermit the Frog case at the Smithsonian.

Matthew walked all the stairs up to the Lincoln Memorial.

I got to share my favorite place in the world with 3 of my favorite people in the world.

Summer Adventure- Destination #1

Destination #1- Indianapolis, IN (to see Aunt Debra and go to the zoo)

Summer Adventure

Last year, when I envisioned taking this year's summer road trip, 3 kids and 4700 miles, I knew it sounded a little nutty. After Darren took a new job with less vacation time, it seemed even crazier, as I would be doing it solo.  And finally, as the trip got closer, it seemed like I had lost my mind, as Matthew would often freak out on the short ride to the grocery store.  But Alyssa, Jackson, Matthew and I went on our summer road trip adventure anyway.

It was amazing!  The kids were great. 

Driving, we had a few rocky moments here and there, but overall, they were often better behaved in the car than they were out of it.  They powered through too, going 4 or 5 hours between breaks.  And they did it without the aid of dvds, as they often get carsick with them.  We listened to audiobooks.  They colored.  They napped.  They played with their bag of toys.  They enjoyed seeing the US through their window.  82 driving hours over 22 days. 

On the other end of the drive, there were people we love and fun to be had!  (More posts to follow.)

I would definitely do it again!

At one of our many stops.

 

Happy 6th Birthday, Jackson!

Happy 6th birthday to our Jack-Jack!  He's a fun-loving kid that gives big hugs and laughs from his toes.  

Jackson loves
-corn dogs
-Star Wars
-playing Wii
-Phineas and Ferb
-his family
-sleeping on the top bunk.