A weekend trip to Iowa

First things first- make sure you have entered to win the LavHa Bracelet-

I will be picking a winner on Wednesday!!

Now on to our weekend! Our family celebrated my dad's 65th birthday this weekend in Iowa.  So we loaded the babies (and half our house) in the minivan and made the trip back home on Thursday. 

A few things you should know....in the past I have been a terrible traveler.  I'm scared of flying so we usually drive (this trip took us about 12 hours) and I don't like being away from home (I get anxiety), so every time I try to go somewhere I end up stressed to the max just thinking about the trip.  I was adamant that this trip was not going to be like every other trip.  So I started preparing in advance for the trip- making lists, getting things packed, loading up the ipads with Paw Patrol and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and just trying to be in a good/positive mental space.

The drive went really well but I started feeling anxious about 2 hours in at the first rest stop because I knew we had so much farther to go and I was worried about the kids being uncomfortable.  I had my oils with me and I started using citrus bliss & serenity (like an addict) the rest of the time we were in the car and my anxiety disappeared.  I put them on Emily & Gavin every couple of hours and they were happy as could be sitting in their seats watching their shows. They even fell asleep at the same time-  Success!

When we got to the hotel it was late- about 9:00 pm central time which is 10:00 our time.  The kids were cranky and tired so I started diffusing on guard (to kill any germs in the hotel room) and lavender (to calm everyone down) and got them settled for bed. 

Friday we spent time with my sister Kelsey and her daughter Elena who is a few months older than Emily.  The kids had a good time playing together and I got to catch up with my sister.  My dad and his wife stopped by and we all hung out for a few hours.

Emily, Elena & Grandpa

Grandma, Emily, Elena & Grandpa

While we were playing at Kelsey's, my awesome in-laws were driving to meet us so they could celebrate my dad's birthday with the family and help with the kids- they were seriously SO much help with the kids, I can't thank them enough!  They probably walked 2,439 laps around that hotel just to make E&G happy.

Friday night Steve and I went to see some old friends- I can't even tell you how happy I was to see them.  They are the kind of friends you can go months and months without seeing and when you do see them, you pick up right where you left off.  Love you guys.

Saturday morning Emily got to play in the hotel pool with daddy, while we tried to get Gavin to nap. She had a ton of fun climbing up and down the ladder, "swimming", "catching fish" and "feeding seagulls".  This girl has a serious imagination. 

climbing up and down the ladder was her favorite!

sleepy head Gavin

Later in the morning we went to my dad's birthday party and it was wonderful to see my family (bummed I didn't get pictures of everyone)!  The kids had fun playing outside and we watched old family videos from when we were all babies.  I now know that Gavin is a mini version of myself.

Aunt Niki & Booty

all the cousins- Emily had to be bribed with M&M's to even get this picture

Emily, Erin & Elena

Gavin was outnumbered by the girls

 

and this is what happens when we try to get a family picture

On Sunday my brother Randl and my sister in law Julie made breakfast for everyone before we had to get on the road and we said our goodbyes and off we went. 

It was a quick trip but totally worth it, happy birthday dad!