June Road Trip Fun

Since we knew it is a loooong drive to Chicago we decided to have some fun along the way there and back. Sam had the great idea to stop at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha our first day. We loaded the car up the night before and he woke us up at 3am to start the drive, about 10 minutes later the kids and I were back asleep as Sam cruised across Colorado and Nebraska. We had two short stops and made it to the zoo at noon. We met our friend Kristen and her son Greyson there (daddy Scott had to work). We spent about 3 and a half hours there, we rode the train, carousel, had a picnic lunch and explored the exhibits. Our favorites were the aquariumwith the penguins and the rainforest walk where Abby walked across a suspension bridge "all by herself!" Greyson is about 6 months older than the twins so they all had fun.
After the zoo we drove about 2 more hours and stayed at a hotel outside of Des Moines, Iowa. We were smart this year and ordered pizza for dinner in the room and hit the pool. We had a lazy morning the next day and drove 5 hours to Chicago. That afternoon we walked the Magnificent Mile with the Callaghan's and waited for Grandma Fish. We had a great dinner at a Southern cooking place called Wishbone and called it a night.
We left Chicagoon Sunday after the wedding brunch and drove to Rockford to spend the afternoon with the Fischer family. Uncle Tim and Aunt Mary drove down from Wisconsin and picked up Lori on the way. We had a great BBQ at Emily and Dan's house...they know how to cook!! Aunt Sue was there, but Papa Mark and his fireworks were in Minnesota fishing, he promised to bring them when we all meet up in Wisconsin for Christa's wedding. The twinshad just woke up from a nap and were ready to play. Carolyn had all herfun toys out and the 3 of them played all afternoon and evening. They were so dang cute playing in the sprinkler and then later making mud pies. It is so fun to watch them interact with their cousin. Uncle Randy came too and took us for Beef a Roo milkshakes before bed. It was a great afternoon.
We drove to Omaha and stayed with the Schemahorn's for the night. Kristen is a fantastic cook and she didn't disappoint with dinner and breakfast, yum. The kids had a sleepover in Greyson's room after playing all night...Abby stayed the entire night but Luke snuggled with us midway through the night. Sam and I enjoyed catching up with Scott and Kristen, we hadn't seen them in a few years so it was great to sit outside and talk.
Our last road day was pretty easy. Grandma Fish was in the car to pass out toys/drinks/snacks to whoever needed them. We made it home in the late afternoon. Ourfears of a dreadful road trip with 3 year olds did not come true, they did great and we have wonderful memories. It is a good thing too, we are off to Wisconsin at the end of July.

Picnic lunch on our last day, they playground was too hot so we climbed a tree!