Spring Break Vacation

We just got back yesterday from a little Spring Break vacation. This was our first car trip in quite a while and it wasn't all that bad. It's definitely easier when the youngest is over a year. No doubt there were some moments that Steve and I felt like pulling our hair out, but all in all we had a good time.

Our trip started on Monday afternoon. We spent the morning getting the car packed and doing yard work. At around 3:30 we pulled out of the driveway headed south. We stayed overnight in a hotel in Richmond, VA so the first leg of our drive was only about 3.5 hrs long. With 4 kids we always make reservations ahead of time at a hotel with the most affordable suites. The hotel we stayed at was OK, but not great. It definitely lacked good customer service. But, the room was nice and comfortable. There was a very large bedroom with 2 queen beds and a living room with a pull-out sofa bed. Kaeli and Paige slept in one bed, Ryan and I slept in another bed, AJ slept in a pack-n-play, and Steve slept on the sofa bed. The night was a little rough because AJ woke up screaming at around 3AM. The other 3 kids weren't too happy about being woken up by a screaming baby. Fortunately, he did go back to sleep after I put him in bed with me and Ryan went to get in bed with Steve. Then, of course, AJ woke up bright and early at 6AM the next morning. I can't wait until the day he consistently sleeps past 7AM.

Tuesday morning we had breakfast and went the Children's Museum of Richmond. Overall, I think all the kids really enjoyed the Museum. There was a little something for all of them to enjoy. I'll write more about the Museum under a separate heading with pictures.

We arrived at Grandpa and Grammy's house in NC Tuesday afternoon around 4:30. We mostly just got settled in and played outside the rest of Tue evening.

Wednesday we spent the day just playing outside and at the neighborhood playground. Grammy took the girls to see Horton Hears a Who in the evening.

Thursday morning we spent the day at Pullen Park in Raleigh. That is the best park!! Besides swings and slides, they have a working train and a carousel. We spent all morning there and ended with a picnic before going home to let the boys take naps.

Friday morning Grandpa and Steve took Kaeli, Paige, and Ryan fishing. I stayed home with AJ. But, I did hear that the girls each caught a fish and Rayn spent most of his time hiding from the bugs. :)

Saturday morning we were on the road by 8:30 to head home. We drove straight through (other than a few quick stops for bathroom breaks and lunch) and got home around 4:30. I think the trip could be made in as little at 6 or 6.5 hrs without a car full of kids.

We got a TON of pictures, so I'll make a separate heading for different parts of the trip in hopes of giving more information about each picture.