Road Trip 4/1/10-4/6/10

Our road trip started out a day later than it was supposed to because our car was still at the Partner's getting fixed. We left bright and early Thursday morning. We stopped in North Platte, Nebraska, for lunch. When we got back in the car Mordecai fell asleep after eating his bazillionth Cheetos Puff.




We made it Des Moines, Iowa, when we decided to stop for the night. It was only 4 hours from Robert and Wanda's, but mom was feeling sick after we had McDonald's for dinner and the kids were tired. We stayed at a La Quinta inn and suites. Emily and Mordecai slept very well. In fact Mordecai was out within a minute of laying his head on a pillow. We got up early and made the hotel breakfast and then hit the road. We arrived at Wanda and Roberts about 1:00 pm. It was so fun to see everyone that was there. About 4:00 pm we all jumped into our cars and head to Rocky Rococo's Pizza. It was like a Chuck-E-Cheese but better pizza. There wasn't nearly as many games to play though. Since there was so many of us (24) they put us in the theater room to eat. It was fun to sit and have the kids watch old, old, cartoons while they ate. It kept it a little quieter.

Saturday was a day full of fun too. The kids and I stayed at Phil and Hannah's, so we took them out for breakfast, and then headed over to Robert and Wanda's afterwards. The kids played while the adults watched/listened to General Conference. Wanda went and picked Robert during the afternoon session, while Hannah, Carlie and I went to Target to get gifts for the kids' Easter baskets. (Can't have a day where I don't hit Target). Later that night the kids dyed their Easter eggs, but we had to do it in sessions since there was 18 dozen eggs. I obviously didn't handle it very well, since I am a control freak. Hence the picture of Mordecai without his shirt on. He kept getting dye all over his clothes, but he sure did love it!
Sunday Morning, Easter, we had to be at Wanda's by 8:30 so the kids could get their hunt on. This is what the table looked like with all the baskets/buckets. Crazy huh?? Sorry, the pictures are blurry because my camera was cold.

Emily and Mordecai's baskets

Had to get Robert posing in this one :)
The kids coming up from the basement. They were all banished down there until we were ready for them.
After getting to their baskets.

And, so the hunt began. Again, we had to do it in sessions. Younger kids, middle kids, and then older.
The kids had a wonderful time. So much that even after they found their dozen eggs they kept sneaking outside when the door was left open o find more. It was a good thing there was an extra dozen, and some plastic ones hidden outside.

Joey and sweet Reah.

Finding all the treats inside.

Adam.

After finding their eggs I went to double check to make sure they were all 12 real eggs and not some fake ones. This is what I found.

Mordecai's dozen eggs (all boy colors)

Emily's dozen eggs (all girly colors)

After we found all 18 dozen eggs it was time for lunch and conference. We used 4 dozen eggs to make egg salad sandwiches. Of course we just ate some plain eggs, which is what little Orion has stuffed in his mouth...a whole entire boiled egg.

Before Conference started it was windy enough that the kids and I went out and did some kite flying. Not our typical Sunday activity, but we did it anyway. Both Emily and Mordecai loved it. Which means I probably should buy some kites to use with them.

Sunday Mike flew to California for work, which is why the kids and I decided to take this little road trip with Mom. By the end of our time in Wisconsin the kids, (mainly Emily) kept asking if "Wisconsin was done yet?" They both missed daddy terribly, so the kids and I drove home Monday instead of going to Tennessee and Oklahoma with Mom. We headed out Monday morning and drove to Lincoln, Nebraska (it took me about 6 hours to get there) where we had a hotel booked. We found a Target to buy swim suits (again I need my Target fix) and then stopped at Fazolis for some semi non fast food. Then we checked into our hotel, ate dinner and then went swimming for 2 hours. Tuesday morning we woke up and had breakfast then hit the road for the remaining 7 hour drive. When we got home (3:00 pm) we had to unpack the car and our bags, and then hit Costco for milk, bread etc. and dinner. Later that night Mike got home from California about 11:00. The kids did so well on the trip, a lot better than I thought they would, but it was so nice to be back home with our whole family together.