Day 15: Home Sweet Home

We had a 10 hr drive ahead the last day, so we got up early to hit the road. I thought the sun rising over New Mexico was beautiful:

That last day of driving was tough. The kids really started falling apart, but after 15 days of it (almost all of which we drove several hours a day) it was understandable. We were all tired, and I don't know which member of the family wanted to be home most.

I calculate that we drove around 3800 miles, but it was worth it. We had our first real family vacation, and I look forward to many more!

Day 14: Let's Get the Heck Out of Dodge

We didn't have to go far out of our way, but we did actually make a slight detour to cut through Dodge City on our way home. Dan was indulging my desire to be able to say, "Let's get the heck out of Dodge." And then I was so tired the next morning that I didn't remember to say it until we were on the highway!!!

When we originally left CA, we were taking it nice and slow, but once we said our last good-bye to someone we knew, all we wanted to do was get home! We travelled from Dodge City, KS, to Gallup, NM, on Day 14. That's 9 1/2 hours of driving, not counting breaks. That's LONG. If any of you have the Cars soundtrack, then you've heard of Gallup, New Mexico, in the song "Route 66":

"Well goes from St. Louie down to Missouri
Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty
You'll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino

Would you get hip to this kindly tip
And go take that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66"

It was easy to see where the creators got their inspiration for the movie. We passed through several real "route 66" towns, and it was like stepping into the movie:


Tires and car repair:




Need some gas and refreshments?


Getting some souvenirs?

And there were even weird looking hotels all down the strip, just like Sally's Cozy Cone Motel:



We really had a very "Cars" themed drive because much of the terrain looked just like the movie does. Timothy actually thought we saw Radiator Springs. We already owned the movie, which of course the kids watched on the trip. But Dan surprised us by buying the soundtrack a few days before we left. We all enjoyed it, although Timothy always asks me to skip the "slow songs"!

Day 13: Goodbye, Wichita, Hello, Dodge City

Christi's was our last stop of many friends and family. We headed due West to Dodge City, KS. They have a little historical/tourist area called Boot Hill. We saw...

trains


"The town"


a "saloon"

and even cowboys (KS, not TX)


We got back to the hotel exhausted. I found myself staring off into space when Dan said, "Alicia, you look sad." You guys, I just starting bawling. I cried for a while, too, because I had just had an amazing 2 weeks, and I didn't want to say good-bye to so many people I care about. It doesn't lessen the fact that I enjoy living in San Diego, but sometimes I want those people who are special to me (and spread out everywhere) to live a little closer. I feel blessed to have people in my life that I miss when they aren't around.

Day 12: On to Wichita

On Day 12 we finally headed West for the first time. It was on to Wichita to visit my dear friend, Christi, and her clan. For some weird reason, I didn't take many pictures, but to refresh your memory on who this is, here are pictures of our San Diego Zoo trip when they visited in May. Timothy and Josiah have so much fun together, and here they are making pizzas together...

In case you missed it, Timothy looks like he is throwing up a little in his mouth. Clicking on the picture makes it big and you can see it. He presses on!

My favorite thing in the next picture is Josiah's tongue. Again, if you can't see it, click on the picture to enlarge. He's directing the spoon with his tongue like how we twist our body to make a bowling ball avoid the gutter!


Way to go, Josiah-the cook always gets to taste. And kuddos to Timothy for touching the cheese!!

The boys love each other, but they don't have nearly as much fun as Christi and I do. We went walking that night, and I can't help but think how much I would enjoy walking with her every night. The next day Dan watched the kids, and we got to have a girls day! Thanks, honey.

Day 11: More Family Time

More pictures the next day...

Did I not say how adorable my niece is?

We are missing Danni!! That makes me sad, but here are the female generations. On the couch is Dan's mother, Penny, and her mother, Grandma Jackie. Don't Samantha and Corinne look cute in their matching outfits?


Me and my Baby Girl.

And there is my beautiful family. Oh, I love them.

Day 10: Family Reunion

We had a fantastic visit with Dan's family! (I know it sounds redundant, but this trip had so many highlights!) My father-in-law's family is spread out over the country (New Hampshire, Florida, and California), and we all made it back to Girard at the same time!! He has three sisters that we ADORE, who were all in attendance, and we had all but 3 cousins (who were missed most definitely). We reserved the city park, which is just beautiful and has a mini-amusement park for kids. So cute! Aunt June was the resident photographer. There are tons of wonderful pictures, but I had to narrow them down somehow.

Samantha decided she was afraid of the kiddie rides, but she was belly laughing watching Timothy go around on the teacups:


We convinced the entire Smith clan (actual blood Smiths)to all ride the train together. I think that ended up being 15 people (only 3 of whom were kids). Even Dan's 85 yr old grandfather!!!


Four generations of Smith men. Eventually Timothy will learn that Smith men don't smile for pictures.

In our immediate family, there are 3 sons. These are the 3 daughters-in-law (Danni on the left, Christen on the right).


This is Christen's daughter Corinne, my only niece!!! Isn't she adorable? She's even sweeter in person. She's 7 months younger than Samantha.


Splish splash-can you tell this trip had a water theme?


Timothy calls Dan's dad Poppy, which we just love. This had been a long exhausting day.

Day 9: Playdate!

We all went to the park to play hard before Dan and I had 4 more hours of driving ahead of us. It was like old "playdate" times!

Samantha LOVED dress up:


Girls rode in the van, boys in the car:


Reminds me of the opening credits to Yes, Dear where they go to the beach with so much kid gear...


They all enjoyed the train.


Taking turns holding hands.


I can't get over what a big girl Kinley is.


Hot day, thirsty bunch!


Look at these 5 beautiful children!


Next stop...Girard, KS!

Day 8: Travel to Fort Smith, AR

After East TX, we headed due north through Oklahoma, and just across the Arkansas border to visit our friends Tonya and Chris (and kids). We lived in Little Rock at the same time, and they moved away 10 months before we did. Let me tell you what...I LOVE this girl, and it was so great to see her! The kids enjoyed each other so much. It's funny because Kinley and Timothy were "buddies" when we all lived in LR, but things have changed. Timothy and Caedmon were just two peas in a pod, and Samantha was Kinley's little doll. Samantha LOVED having so many girl things around!! The adults stayed up late playing Scattergories, and I have never laughed so hard playing that game.

Day 8: Switch Flops Product Review

Before we left East TX, we went into town, had delicious Mexican food, and looked in several shops. In the pharmacy (remember small town), were some sandals called SwitchFlops. They were not cheap, but so cute and unique (plus, I was on vacation!) I just had to have them!

There are 3 different types of the basic sandal: traditional flip flop, a wedge, and a kitten heel (which I don't see on their website) in basic neutrals. I bought a black kitten heel because I already had a black flip flop and wedge. I live in San Diego-sandals are the attire for everything and we wear them all year round! But here's the cool part about them. The strap that goes over your foot can be "switched out" by Velcro in a variety of colors and patterns. It's so fun, and they have turned out to be very comfortable. My SwitchFlops came with a black/white design, and I bought The Mandy which has gone with everything in my closet! Click here for a demo!

TX/KS Trip Days 1-7

This is the last day of summer, and I have a goal to finish blogging about our summer vacation. Just to get current, here are the previous days...

Day 1-Tucson
Day 2-Van Horn & McDonald Observatory
Day 3-Austin (Sheila et al)
Day 4-Dinosaur Park
Day 5-Mom's & Grandma Pearl
Day 6-Kung Fu Panda & Dallas World Aquarium
Day 7-Dad's & Fishing
Day 7-Swimming
Day 7-Wall-E

That actually helped me even to get back in the mindset of this trip. Wow it was a great time! On to Day 8...

Day 7, Part 3: Wall-E

Timothy LOVES computer activity, and his interests vary. Sometimes he'll play a Nick Jr. game (like Backyardigans racing something or other). Many times he just wants me to pull up ESPN.com where he will study team after team. Of course his new obsession (still) is all things Wii. He watches video clips over and over of different Wii games. He is up to about $40 saved for his Nintendo Wii, and he's already told me 4 games he wants to buy. He is always eager to educate others on the various games he is playing. Here Timothy is explaining some game to Priscilla, and she showed him love by listening! She also showed him love on Day 7 of our trip by giving him early birthday presents.

I knew Timothy was looking forward to the movie, but who know Wall-E would become his "best friend". Timothy has slept with Wall-E and even played games with Wall-E.

Timothy has really been so tender when it comes to Wall-E. We did take Wall-E, the robot, to see Wall-E, the movie. I usually look for Pixar to give me a more entertaining movie, but Wall-E was all about sacrifice and courage. And both of my preschoolers enjoyed it!

One last picture of Samantha from Day 7 of our trip. She's so fun!

Day 7, Part 2: Swimming!

It's been so long, I'm sure you've forgotten, but for "theme" sake I decided to break Day 7 up into 3 parts. Just a reminder, Part 1 of this day was Fishing. And doesn't anyone need a break after that:

Just give this girl some nuts, and she's as happy as a lark!

That was just the beginning of sweet moments between Timothy and my dad. That afternoon we went to pool, where Priscilla and I stayed stayed dry and each man got a child!!! Samantha held onto Dan for dear life and Timothy played happily with his Grandpa.

Within 15 minutes of being there, my dad had convinced Timothy that his life jacket could in fact make him float. And then about 15 minutes after that, Timothy realized that if he just kicked his legs, he could "swim"!

Yet another fun afternoon!

Day 7, Part 1: East Texas-Fishing***

***An assortment of things happened on Day 7, so I'll be breaking this up into 3 different posts.

We had a wonderful time in Dallas. On day 7, we drove 2 hours to where my Dad and Step mom live in East Texas. My parents live on a small lake, so we don't miss a chance to do a little fishin'! I have wonderful pictures of Timothy in the past, but this was Samantha's first time. Plus, Timothy got to break in his new Transformer fishing pole! They had so much fun! And even though Sam was very interested in fishing, she showed she's still a girl by not wanting to touch the worms at all!