1,731 Miles

After a years of talking about it and planning, along with a couple of date changes, Bryan and I finally loaded our family in the car on a Sunday morning and headed out to visit his sister and her family. Conveniently enough, we waited until the Maynards had made the move from Germany to Ft.Rucker AL, which happens to be less than two hours from Destin FL. We put 1,731 miles on my car and spent 33 hours driving, but it was way easier than trying to drive to Ansbach.
Lilly and Jack did great in the car and we planned on taking our time and making long stops, even one over night. So, the trip wasn't bad, just long. But, we had lots of fun. So much that I can't even tell you about it all, all I can do is share some of the 109 pictures that I took.
We started the trip at about 11am on Sunday, September 18. The first leg of the trip went really well and we made it till just south of Louisville KY. We stopped there for a quick lunch and then got back in the car. Everyone was in a great mood and traveling well and we decided not to push our luck. We stopped again at Mike's Rock Shop and Fun House near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Bryan and Lilly took advantage of the bargain price of $1 to tour the fun house while I fed Jack. Bryan said the fun house was actually overpriced, but Lilly enjoyed it.
For another $.25 Lilly even got to ride a ride.

And, visit with 'Mighty Mike'.

After another couple of hours in the car led us just south of Nashville TN to a Country Inn & Suites. The kids were so excited to be out of the car that they thought the cheap hotel was the vacation. They were wild in the hotel room and loved playing with the air conditioner!

The next day we made it all the way to Enterprise AL in record time. We

welcomed at the Maynards' with dinner from the grill. Then, back to the hotel for the night. Lilly took advantage of Bryan's Tuesday morning conference call to relax in the hotel room with a cup of Cheerios and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She looked so cute in the big hotel bed with all of her pillows and companions that I couldn't help taking a picture. After a tour of Ft.Rucker and Enterprise we returned to the Maynards' for a brief rest before Morgan, and later Matthew, came home from school. Lilly and Morgan made a cake for dessert. It was their favorite flavor. Pink...with pink icing.

Later that night Jack and Mika did a little bonding.

Strangely, whether it was a baby toy or a dog toy, Jack and Mika always seemed to be interested in the same thing at the same time.

Bryan and Ed used their after dinner family time to play on their smart phones.

On Wednesday while Ed worked, and Matthew and Morgan were at school, Cammie, Bryan, Lilly, Jack and I went bowling on base. I didn't bring socks for Lilly from the hotel, so we had to buy her some. These were the smallest they had.

Bowling, along with no naps and constantly being on the go was little too much for Jack and he fell asleep.

But, he (and Lilly) both perked up when Morgan produced a small chihuahua puppy that she was puppy sitting for. Jack stiff arming the puppy when it was climbing on him.

But, the puppy turned the tables later by corning poor Jack away from the adults.

Lilly, Jack and Gracie ganging up on Matthew.

Morgan, Lilly and Gracie. Lilly was very excited about the puppy. When she woke up from her nap and we introduced her she smiled from ear to ear and shrieked, "My very own puppy?!" Um...no.

After the tour of Enterprise and Ft.Rucker the only thing left to do was pile back into the car and head to Destin FL. Cammie, Bryan, Lilly, Jack and I drove down on Thursday morning while Ed worked and Matthew and Morgan went to school. After checking in and going out to lunch we put the kids down for a nap and Cam and I went to the store. After that we lounged pool side for the rest of the day and sent Bryan out to bring home dinner.

The pool was awesome, and perfect for my little swimmers. It was enormous, but had a gradual entrance on one end, like a beach. Jack loved it.

Until he crawled into deeper water and realized that his rear tires floated.

Bryan by the pool. Lilly loved the waterfall. There were several, but this one was near the shallow end and she could play in it.

Here's Jack on Friday morning when Bryan took Lilly to the pool, and later the beach, without him.

Lilly loved the beach and even made a friend. Apparently, when your dad brings you to the beach without any planning or forethought other moms and kids will take pity on you and share their toys.

Jack wasn't a huge fan of the ocean at first. I think the sound of the waves scared him a little. But, after digging him his own private sea and allowing him to play in there for a while he got a little braver.

Jack rocking his beach body.

Matthew, Bryan and Ed rocking theirs. Bryan bought his tank top for the beach (I'm still not sure if it was meant as a joke or not) and then Ed and Matthew bought theirs to make fun of Bryan.

Jack didn't get a tank top, but he did wear his old man hat and Colts shirt. I also think he is trying to break into the cooler while his dad and uncle aren't looking.

This is one of two crabs that we (Bryan) caught while we were on the beach. This crab was much harder to catch, though. Probably because, upon inspection, the first one was actually dead.

Back at the house and ready for dinner. Jack got a little tired of waiting on the girls so he played a solo game of hide and seek.

Best. Dinner. Ever. I don't even remember the name of the restaurant but, when you think of sea food, this meal is what you picture. Lobster, king crab, snow crab, dungeness crab, shrimp, mussels, and clams. All steamed and served with lemon, drawn butter, potatoes and corn. Oh yeah, and a bib and trash bucket.

Near the restaurant there was a train for kids running up and down the board walk. Lilly was desperate to ride. After hearing how far the train went Matthew decided Lilly might need a chaperone. And, with his big cousin going along we thought Jack might enjoy the trip too.

Bryan's major purchase of the week (other than gas and the above mentioned dinner). He just had to buy this UK headband for Lilly.

Last day and everyone is in the pool. Please note: Cammie and I were on this vacation too. Again, you would never know it from the pictures that a mother gets to do things with the family too.

We just told Lilly that we were leaving after her bath.

All week the kids were exhausted, but never so much as the ride home. Lilly rarely sleeps in the car, but she passed out cold when Bryan carried her into the oldest Best Western ever north of Birmingham AL. She remained asleep when I put her jammies on her, but did wake up enough to apologize for not helping, "I'm just so tired." she said as she grabbed for her blankie and rolled over.

We made it home the next day at about 8:30pm after a meager 10 hour drive. All four of us were ready to be out of the car. But, we had a great time with the Maynards and can't wait to go back. The rental house was really nice, the beach was perfect and the weather was great. I think we'll make it an annual trip. But, eventually we'll have to find someplace for Jack to sleep other than the walk in closet in Bryan and I's bedroom. And, I think we'll fly.