The Looooong Drive Home

Saturday morning we got up, got loaded, and got on the road.  We had a very important stop to make in Georgia.  When we got to Macon, we made Landon go in and tell Mr. Dunn an in person thank you.  Mr. Dunn told Landon that when he was a little boy he had a stuffed monkey that was about the same size as Little Guy and he totally understood.  I gave the man a hug I was so grateful and he wasn't sure what to do.  We took a picture to commemorate the reunion.  Landon learned an important lesson in responsibility at the Quality Inn in Macon, Georgia.  He'll be sending Mr. Dunn and the housekeeping staff a little thank you with this picture enclosed as well.  First on the list when we get home though will be a very hot bath for Little Guy.

We made it almost to Chattanooga that night before shuttin her down.  Ate at a Cracker Barrel, which made a huge impact on Grant since he consistently refers to Cracker Barrel as the 'place with checkers AND pancakes' now.

There was a long discussion about where to cash in for the night.  We had issues finding a room because unbeknownst to us there were two music festivals in Tennessee and hotel rooms were difficult to come by.  We finally ended up crashing at a Super 8 right next to the Cracker Barrel...where Landon insisted on bringing his whole entourage of 'friends' (stuffed animals) in.  We explained they'd be safer in the car so we wouldn't lose any of them, but he had some tears and was worried about them being lonely in the car.  So we went out and got them and reminded him it was his responsiblity to make sure we had them all when we left the next day.  I laid down with him, and as he was about to drift off, he startled and in a panicky voice said, 'do I have them all?!?!'  Sigh.  I'm happy to report everyone made it out of the hotel room and back in the Yukon.

The next morning we were up and back on the road...time to finish it off.  We drove until we had to split ways.  We were planning stopping by Mom and Dad's....only a short 45 minute detour.  These pics were taken at a Tennessee McDonald's...where we had to make one of our few potty breaks.  Seriously...I was impressed how few breaks we had to take considering we had 4 kids with us!  Plus, how great are these pictures!!  Good buddies, and photogenic, these kids are!

When we exited the Interstate in Carmi, we still hadn't told the kids we were going to Mom and Dad's.  When we entered Clay County though Landon asked if that's where we were going.  Odd really I thought.  He'd never been where we were.  But I guess that's the only place he ever really has gone that's been a drive off the Interstate.  We avoided the question and didn't really answer.  Grant started whining, and said "I want to go to Gwandpa and Gwandma's" about 17 times in the next 30 minutes.  When we got to where he could see the house, I asked him where he wanted to go, and he kept the whine on with 'Gwandpa and Gwandma's!!!' but then looked and saw the house and started giggling and kicking his feet.

We were due for a long leg stretch...AND a home cooked meal.  It was a perfect stop.  And we got to see Dad and Grandpa on Father's Day!

There was even a little belated birthday celebration for yours truly.  Here's Landon reacting to some comment about him not getting cake.  Of course he got some though.

Turns out stopping really played in our favor, too.  The boys ran around and got their wiggles out.  Landon fell asleep right past Effingham and was out for the night, and Grant was easy to put down once we got home.  Kristi texted me that they made it home too and her and Phil were sharing the couch while Charli and Blake ran around full of energy.  Hey, hey.  Glad we got that out in Hord!  We were all ready for bed once we made it to home sweet home!  Great vacation!  Great memories!  And an extra special prayer of thanks for returning us home, safe and sound!