Road Trip!

Katie had a long weekend for Fall Break from school so we decided to take a mini vacation and go on a road trip to see my best friend Joy in Illinois. On Thursday morning I packed up the car and we headed out. We were all excited to see Jeremy, Joy and Chandler.

Movies - check, pillows - check, blankets, stuffed animals, snacks, drinks and toys - check. All the things to help keep them entertained and keep mommy sane. Don't they look all cozy and comfy for the ride. Wish I could be riding back there.

When we got to Joy's house the girls were ready to get out of the car and play. We walked up the street to the playground in their neighborhood and let them run off some energy. When we got back Chandler showed the girls her play room downstairs. Chandler was very sweet sharing all of her toys with Katie and Bree.

I thought this picture was cute of Chandler and Bree playing together. The girls loved this doll house. May have to try and find one for them for Christmas.

On Friday it was a beautiful day, we got the girls ready to go a pumpkin patch. The girls haven't been to one this year so they were really excited to go. The girls also had to sport the same hair do as Chandler "meatballs".

The girls all ready to go. Joy and I were laughing about how long it takes to get five girls ready and out the door. I think Joy and I were worn out by the time we got them in the car.

Chandler and Bree jumping on the corn popper.

Momma joining in on the fun.



The best friend a girl could ask for.

Three pumpkin cuties.



My girls loved this haystack they could climb up. They kept wanting to go up to the top. The three of us at the top.

Chandler and Bree were so excited to be at the top.

So proud she climbed to the top all by herself.

Saturday was really rainy so we took the girls to the children's museum. Joy dropped me and the girls off at the front and she went to park, so while we were waiting I tried my best to get a photo of all three of them.

This museum was really great and my girls were so excited to go and explore. They ran straight for the water area. Katie kept trying to build things and Bree just wanted to put her hands in the water.

Joy had a big set teeth and Chandler and Bree were brushing them and feeding them a bottle.

Upstairs they had a big stage with dress up clothes. The girls were all about this. They would go backstage and dress up and then come out on the stage. They wouldn't do anything but just stand there and smile. A little stage fright I believe.

Getting to paint on a wall of glass. They thought this was the greatest thing, to be able to paint on a wall. Knock yourself out girls. I made sure to explain to Bree that she could only do this here. I can totally see her trying this at home.

Joy even joined in on the fun.

Hanging out in Chandlers room the last night we were there.

Joy and I actually got to get in some girl time while I was there. On Friday afternoon her babysitter came over for a few hours while we snuck out to get some coffee and get a pedicure. We got to drink our coffee, get our feet rubbed and got to catch up without the " hey mommy" interruptions. Then on Saturday night Joy's husband Jeremy watched the girls for us for a few hours and we got to go back out do a little shopping. When we got home I had the best surprise of all. Jeremy got all three of the girls to bed. I couldn't believe it. My girls have only had two guys put them to bed and that is daddy and Papaw, so I was impressed that they went to be so easily for him. When I checked on them Katie was sacked out and Bree was still awake but she was quietly laying in bed. So a big thanks to Jeremy for watching three girls and getting them all to bed. For a momma it is so nice to have a break from the bedtime routine.

Sunday morning we had to get back on the road to head home. On the way back we made a few extra stops to let the girls get out and play. The weather was warm and beautiful and the wonderful thing about driving through Missouri is that their rest areas have playgrounds for kids. We took advantage of it on the way back.

We had so much fun with Joy and Chandler, we did a lot in 2 days and I think we were all exhausted by Sunday but it was well worth it. Joy and I have been friends for a very long time and it seems that we never end up living that close to each other so the times we do get to see each other are very special to me. We both dream or hope that one day our husband's jobs will land us in the same city one day. Fingers crossed!