Summer Vacation

Robert's summer schedule is very busy with VBS, summer camp, a mission trip in town, and a mission trip in Nebraska, so it's really difficult to travel in the summer.  We went to Alabama last summer, but we hadn't been back since Sarah was born, so we were due for a trip and turned it into our vacation for the summer.  Robert got wild and didn't even respond to emails while we were gone!

We left on Thursday morning with a destination of Birmingham, AL for the evening.  We knew we would need to stop for about 30 minutes every 2 hours to let Sarah stretch and play, so we left at 8:00, and got to Birmingham at 6:00.  Our first stop was in Hardy, AR, and it was definitely the nicest.  We were able to find a grassy area with a shade tree between a post office and McDonald's.  Sarah enjoyed playing on a blanket.  The next stop was in West Memphis and was not enjoyable, but we just had to stop for gas and to change Sarah's diaper.  I think our third stop for the day was in MS.  For this whole trip Robert was the driver and I was the entertainer.  I think I sat in the front seat on two legs of the trip and was in the back for the rest of it.  We brought lots of toys and books, and Sarah usually took a 30 minute nap every 2 hour leg.

We stayed with Robert's cousin Ethan and his wife, Rachael, on Thursday night.  We hadn't seen them in about two and a half years, and it was great to catch up!  Rachael made a great dinner.  Sarah was a little needy when trying to fall asleep.  We ended up getting her back up so she could join the party.  She approved!  She really did well considering she'd been in a car seat all day and was having to sleep in a pack and play.

On Friday morning we drove 4 1/2 hours to Pensacola, FL to meet up with Ray and Terri who had been on vacation all week.  We only had to stop one time on the way there.  We unpacked (I think we packed and unpacked 4 times on this trip!  Not fun) and headed out for ice cream.  I actually got key lime pie dipped in chocolate, and it was delicious!  We walked out to the beach, and Sarah got her first glimpse of the ocean.  She was relatively scared.  She liked looking at the ocean and hearing the waves (sounded just like her sound machine!), but the water was cold and scary to her.  Robert and I had a date that night while Ray and Terri tucked in Sarah and stayed with her.  We played putt putt, strolled around Target, and got dessert at Chick-Fil-A.

On Saturday we ate breakfast at The Donut Hole with Ray's cousin and his wife and son.  It was delicious!  Chocolate doughnut filled with peanut butter fluff!  After breakfast we headed to the beach.  We were going to a part that's a state park.  We parked and were ready to catch the tram, but soon realized that we had missed it by 1 minute and had to wait another 59 minutes.  NOOOOOO!!!  Thankfully, Sarah took a nap so she was a happy camper.  The beach was beautiful!  It was overcast, which was fine with Robert and me because it helped it not be so hot.  Again, Sarah was uninterested in the ocean but enjoyed playing on a sheet under a big umbrella.  I found this idea on Pinterest and it worked well - bring a fitted sheet and put something in each of the four corners (bag, cooler, etc.) and it creates a large sand-free area that's sort of like a makeshift pack and play.  On Saturday evening we went out on a sunset cruise.  Sarah's first time on a boat!  I think she liked it.

On Sunday we made the two and a half hour drive from FL to Mobile, AL and had a big party for people to meet Sarah.  She did so great!  I seriously think she got passed around to at least 40 people she had never met before.  She left for a bit to eat and take a nap and returned happy as a clam.  She was a bit reserved that evening and wanted to be snuggled by Robert and me which was understandable.  I'm so glad so many people came to meet Sarah and it was good to catch up.

Tuckered out from being the center of attention

So many girl cousins!

Four generations

On Monday we drove to Daphne to see another one of Sarah's great great aunts.  We also took a little stroll along the bay, and Sarah thought the water was scary yet again.  We were able to have lunch with Robert's cousin Marla, and it was great to talk to her about being a mom to girls!  We went to Dauphin Island that evening and got some great dessert again - peanut butter pie.  Yum!

We hit the road on Tuesday morning and made the long drive back to Springfield.  We had toyed with the idea of spending the night somewhere, but we decided it would be nice to just get home, and Sarah was still doing well.  We didn't unpack at all that night, and thankfully Robert had taken Wednesday off as well so we could recover.  I did laundry, unpacked, and decided to stain the deck.  That's what you do on vacation, right?

I should note that Sarah also got two more teeth on this trip.  I think especially considering that, she did so well on this trip.  She met lots of new people, spent a ton of time in the car, and slept in new places.  It was a good trip, but we're glad we don't have any super long road trips planned in the near future.