We made it!

Well, after 17 hours in our van, we arrived to the Doese's house around noonish on Sunday, February 20, 2011. We left our house Saturday around 5pm, ran a few errands, and stopped for dinner at McD with a play land. We didn't really hit the road until 7pm. Ryan drove the first leg. We had to stop in Gurnee, IL for a potty break. It was in Chicago the kids were getting restless. That was only because it was dark and past their bedtime. There is not much you can do to keep yourself busy in the dark. It was at that time, I chose to start a movie. Thought it would shut them down for the night. I was wrong! We watched 2 movies! It was at the start of the 2nd one that Sammie fell asleep. I realized she could not get comfortable in her booster seat, so I let her lay down without it in the back seat. I buckled her up in the middle belt, but she was able to lay down and sleep. Dash on the other hand stayed awake until we switched drivers(and the end of movie #2) at 12:45am! He was determined to stay awake until we got to GA. Ryan got us to the other side in Indianapolis before he turned over the keys to me. He got a great head start for me. Unfortunately, being the 2nd driver and the one in charge of entertaining the kids, I did not get a good head start on sleep. I didn't get far down the road before I needed to pull over. I first stoped at a gas station, but I couldn't sleep. I was cold and kept waiting for the owner of the station to come yell at us for parking without making a purchase. So, after about 20 min there, I hit the road again. I finally found a rest area on the side of the road, so I pulled over there. I parked, got a pillow and blanket and passed out quickly. I think we were there for a solid hour, maybe a bit more. I woke up refreshed around 4 am. I found the next McD, got a Mc Cafe and burrito and away we went. I was doing well and then it was time to fill 'er up. I stopped to get some gas and at that time Ryan joined me in the front seat again. All 3 kids woke up to see what was going on. We then hit the road as the dark night was turning to a blue before the sun fully came up. It did start to rain and that was the 1st time we ran into "weather" on the trip. Nothing major, but it was nice. The kids fell back asleep for a bit longer. We made it to Nashville in time for our morning bathroom breaks. We decided to stop off and get some breakfast outside of the van. We ate and enjoyed and hit the road again. Ryan offered to drive, but I was feeling good and he looked tired still so I kept it up. The kids didn't really fall back asleep for the last 3 hour stretch. I was able to give them their notebook and that kept them busy for about an hour. It was at 2.5 hours that we got out another prize from Mommy's Travel Bag. We arrived in some nice weather and it was nice to see the kids pick up right were they left off. Dash, Tyler, Isaac playing football and tackling eachother. Sammie and Caralynn doing girly things and Ali floating between it all. We were also able to surprise the Doese's with some Packer Superbowl things, since we doubted they would get much of it here. The kids slept great the first 2 nights and I suspect they will for the rest of the week. We are very greatful to have friends that are willing to have us stay in their house for a week. I think the kids really enjoy waking up and having their friends right here. The weather is gorgeous here and especially since we got freezing rain and snow this week back in WI. Monday was in the 70s! Moslty it has been in the mid 60s. Perfect weather, the type that I would love to live in 10 months of the year. The other 2 could be 1 cold for snow and the other a bit warmer for swimming. Either way, I will take it!