We decided to drive to see Collin's mom over Spring break. When we went last year, before Jackson was born, we flew. I had wanted to visit in the Fall when Jackson and Grace would both be free to fly but too many other things were going on with his family and ours so the timing didn't work out. After looking at our calendars, it looked like the Spring would be a better time to make the drive then the HOT summer and we didn't want to wait until Fall to visit. So off we went!
It was a LONG, LONG drive! If one made zero stops, it would take 10 hours. Knowing that a 5.5 hour trip takes around 7-7.5 hours, we knew there was no way we could drive it in a day. So we planned to drive halfway there one day and half the other. On the way we stopped in Andrews to see one of Collin's brothers and his wife and some of their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. It was great to see them! The following day we got up early and hit the road. It took us 15 hours between the first two days, only stopping to eat, get gas, use the restroom, or give the kids a break because one or more kids were crying too much. Not to mention, I'm breastfeeding so we had to plan to stop for that as well. On the way back, it took us 15.5 hours. Overall, the kids did great, considering! But after looking at all the expenses we realized we could fly for a few hundred dollars more and have a more pleasant experience in the future. We spent four full days on the road, two full days and one half day visiting his mom. We stayed with his oldest brother and wife for three nights and got to see them and Jayce and Cindy who are about to have their second baby. We just hated the time together was so short and the drive was so long. The things we had hoped and semi-planned to do with the kids along the way didn't happen. They never do when we make the drive - mainly because it's such a long drive. Anyway, we did it and are so glad we got to visit so many of Collin's family and Collin's mom got to meet Jackson, in person!
Here are some pictures from our trip.
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| Stopped here to make a pit stop. There was no bathrooms for almost two hours after this stop. |
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| Another pit stop. In Carlsbad. |
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| All the kids strapped in. |
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| Sweet face! |
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| Smiling baby! |
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| This road never ends! |
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| Road trip! |
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| He really wanted to pet the skunk. |
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| She didn't want to get back in the car. |
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| Maybe one day we'll get to go on the trails here. |
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| Stretching our legs. |
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| Church Sunday morning. |
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| This is a fun restaurant in the old town. There are parrots in the lobby. |
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| The kids were tired of sitting at the table so I took them for a walk. |
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| I bought this bouncing thing for Jackson, he loved it! |
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| Old town, church behind them. |
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| Spending time with NeeNee. |
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| NeeNee and Caden colored Easter eggs. So fun! |
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| Grace loved Uncle Jim. She called him, "her friend." |
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| She loved Aunt Viola too! |
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| Both kids enjoyed playing dress up with the lights. |
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| Caden showed us a dog show one night. |
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| Grace loved their dogs too. |
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| Preparing a meal with Mom. |
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| Playing one the games I brought. |
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| Caden helping make lunch. |
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| Putting stickers on plastic eggs. |
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| Me attempting to get these two down for a nap. Haha. I failed. |
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| Collin, Reba, and Jackson (6 months old) |
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| First time to meet his grandmother in person. |
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| Hanging out at Uncle Jim and Aunt Viola's |
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| These kids love their grandmother. |
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| Jayce and Cindy |
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| Family dinner |
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| Collin and his oldest brother |
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| Heading home! |
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| We took the kids for a quick swim at the hotel pool the morning we made our last leg of the trip. |
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| First time in a swimming pool! |
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| Some of Shane's family |
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| Jim, Grace, and Viola |
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| Mike, Larissa, and Jackson |
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| Shayna and Jackson |
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| Shane, Grace, and Collin |
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| Collin's favorite restaurant when he was growing up! |
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| Most of the view was of windmills or oil rigs. :) |
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