Drive to Newtah

Scarlett has been soooo excited to go to "New-tah" (Utah) to see the big waterfall, Berlyn & Braxtyn, Cousin Megan, and to go to parties on "bay-cation" (vacation) "in three weeks... cause I'm three"

Jake planned our drive from MI to UT to be 3 days.  We only wanted ~8 hours of driving each day and I figured we would have lots of time to relax and unwind in the hotel each night.  I was wrong.  We had to stop every 2 hours.  Slow process.

All loaded in the car: (Kandy let me borrow their portable dvd players so the twirls would have something to stare at - whenever their show would end they would start crying.  Yes, it's upsidedown, We figured out how to fix it after we were in UT.  But I don't think they really cared.)

I went to Once Upon a Child and bought brand "new" toys and books for the girls in the car.  I wrapped Scarlett's so she could pick a present when she needed a distraction.  The Wikki Stix were a great buy!  I also found this sweet toddler Travel Tray that stays on her lap and has a lip to catch toys from rolling off.

Jake and I listened to an Audiobook (our library has a bunch we can borrow for free online).  And when Scarlett needed the sound on her DVDs we would play crossword puzzles, riddles, or other travel games.  Jake ended up driving the WHOLE way while I kept everyone fed/busy/entertained as best as I could.

But when I wasn't able to keep them satisfied, we were serenaded with this:

We stopped at rest stops and play grounds several different times so Jake Scarlett could get the wiggles out.

Lots of food stops.  My favorite was McDonald's - got ta love those play places!

Jaide kept chewing this table while Siena kept resting her chin on the table.  (I wasn't fast enough to snap a photo of Siena.)  Luckily almost everywhere has hot water - even gas stations - so we were able to make warm bottles.

We pulled into our hotels late at night.  But we still did the bath routine cause the girls go to sleep so easily if we do the whole routine.  It's an investment.

The twirls spent the night in their PeaPod Tents - which were AMAZING!  And Scarlett either slept with us or on a makeshift couch cushion bed.

Lots of bottles!  Aren't they so sweet?!?!

 Scarlett took a little ride :-)

Siena threw up one morning.  I was so worried we were going to spend the remainder of our trip with sick tummies, but they only had colds (luckily).  I think her vomit was probably from traveling/being off schedule/runny nose.  I know traveling makes me feel kinda sick and I got a cold sore (typical).  Runny noses weren't bad cause I was able to use lots of baby Benadryl - GUILT FREE!  ;-) 

They always roll into tiny little nooks: 

We drove through Denver this time (more hotels/restaurants/stopping options).  We drove through the Eisenhower Tunnel which is one of the longest and highest elevation vehicular tunnels in the world.  Unfortunately we drove through it during a huge April snowstorm!!!  SNOW!?!?!  I thought we left the snow in Michigan!