Trip to Iowa

These pictures are backwards, but oh well! We took 4 days and made it to Iowa without loss to leg, limb or sanity! And I didn't go into labor, so that was a plus. First day was Las Vegas to Grand Junction, CO. Second day was GJ to Silverton, CO. Third day was Silverton to Omaha, NE. Fourth day Omaha to LeClaire, IA. We tried to make it like a road trip/vacation and the kids had a good time. I was surprised how well behaved they were and how much they could handle! Plus, they were so tired that sleeping in the same room was no problem. Now I can be braver and try more with them!

Swimming at hotel #3. Best way to exhaust the kids. As if driving 28 hrs in 4 days wasn't exhausting enough!

We went to Boston Market in Omaha. We had to wait a few minutes at the drive through so they gave us free cornbread and brownies. That's how we knew we were in the Midwest! They were really friendly and cared about us waiting. Not used to that!

Brooke took a daily hour nap. She just needed her frog and her pillow pet. And whenever she woke up, she would ask for "Cinderbella". Love her cheeks!

There was a military memorial at the Platte River. It was neat to see all of the names from those in that community who had served. Good to explain to the kids too.

Platte River. The pioneers crossed this river, so it was pretty neat to be there. Also, Brooke found a toy cow in the grass so she was happy about that. lol. (toy cow has been oddly misplaced since this photo was taken.)

We stopped at the Platte River for lunch in Nebraska. I was pretty proud of us for going to McDonalds only once on the trip and it didn't even have a playplace! Blake was snuggling Brooke here. It was just cute. She sure loves her dad!

This sign was in the middle of Nebraska. Seriously. They even had t-shirts that said it. Nebraska was definitely the most boring state to drive through, so I can see why they would say this!

We have the best friends, The Bailey's, who made the kids individual bags of fun stuff to do in the car. They loved them! Here they are displaying the Pez dispensers. Uncle Spencer and Aunt Kellie sent a fun package of prizes also. They were very much appreciated! My mom got them some toys too. It was so great to have so much help.

Pizza in the super nice hotel room in Sterling, CO. If you are ever in Sterling, stay at the Sundowner. I think it's the only hotel in the town but it was so great! We got a 2 bedroom suite and the kids loved it. They asked if it was our new house. haha. They had fresh cookies and hot cocoa. Can't say no to that! And the pool was pretty great. Great change from the hotel the night before. Lumpy mattress and maybe someone died there? That's what happens when all the other hotels are booked! Luckily, we weren't there long!

We got stuck behind a "pace car" in the middle of Colorado. This meant we could only go 40 mph for an hour while they tested the traffic. Good thing Colorado is a beauitiful state to travel through. We went through Vail and some other mountain towns. Really pretty! The pace car would have been super annoying but we came across this little cafe called The Blue Sky Diner. It had only been open three months and everything was homemade and so fresh. There were only six tables in the place! Best homemade croissants I have ever had and they made the kids whatever they wanted.

Check out the super squished car. The kids were such good sports. They didn't fight much and we didn't even watch that many movies, surprisingly! I should have taken a picture of the left chair. It was completely stuffed to the ceiling with blankets and pillows.

Brooke with her writing pad from the Bailey's. She is a coloring maniac!