Day 24 Happy Birthday to Me!

We started off the day with Yellowstone National Park which was only 3 blocks from our hotel, The Stage Coach Inn. If you ever go to Yellowstone I highly recommend The Stage Coach Inn we had an awesome stay and the hotel was like a cabin in the inside. We got to Yellowstone and headed towards Old Faithful! On the way to the geyser we stopped at some of the hot springs and at some of the outlooks that were open. It was freezing but so worth it. We had a great time in the park. We got to see a bunch of elk, trumpeter swans, some ducks and bison. The bison were walking down the road and we got to drive by them and could touch them they were so close. By the time we got to Old Faithful it was 17 degrees and the wind was blowing like crazy. We stayed at Old Faithful for about an hour and it still hadn't erupted which sucked but we are planning another trip to Yellowstone this summer when the whole park is open. We left the park around 1pm and headed on the road towards the Sequoia National Park in Cali. We drove through Montana, Idaho and most of Utah before we pulled over for the night. We are staying at the Butch Cassidy Inn (Best Western) in Beaver, Utah! Tomorrow we will get up and drive the rest of the way to the Sequoia National park.

I promise to post pics as soon as we get home!

Day 23 Holy Snow Storm

Today we started off the day with a trip to Mt Rushmore. Mt Rushmore was really nice and I would go back again! Even the girls enjoyed our time there.

Then after we left we started our crazy day of driving. We went through every extreme possible. We go caught up in a winter snow storm and bad roads. What should have taken us 9 hours took us 11 hours. Driving up to West Yellowstone Montana was horrible. At parts the roads were not plowed and no one was on the road with us. We had a herd of Elk try to cross the road in front of us (that was exciting)

The average temperature for today was about 29 degrees. We had to pull over at a rest area and deice my Yukon it was crazy. When we arrived at our hotel, The Stage Coach Inn, as soon as I opened my door a sheet of ice fell off the car.

Our hotel is really nice I will post pics as soon as I get a new card reader!!

Now I am going to try to get some sleep for the night and tomorrow we are going to visit Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park!

Day 22 Driving along

like every other day we woke up got ready and hit the road. We started out in Mt Pleasant, Iowa and ended the night in Hill City, South Dakota. The day was long and cold. Average temperature 39 degrees. I drove the first 6 hours then let Max take over. Once we got in South Dakota we started hitting bad weather yet again. We pulled over in a rest area to go potty and let the girls play in the snow for a little bit. We then hot the road again and a snow storm started and we decided to make a little pit stop at a Cabela's and walk around for a while. Once we left Cabela's the snow storm got worst and we had to pull over to get the snow and ice off the windshield wipers and lights. After about a half hour or so driving through the snow storm we hit clear weather for a while then hit rain then heading up the mountain to Hill City we hit wet cold roads and saw a ton of deer and a mountain lion. The girls did good this is the first day we went without vomit! Thank God! Now we are relaxing for the night resting up before we go see Mount Rushmore tomorrow and then head to Yellowstone National Park!

Day 21 Another Day of Driving

We got up to the sound of pouring down rain. We got dressed and headed out on the road at 9am. We finished driving through Ohio and into Indiana where we stopped for lunch and the girls actually ate for the first time in days. After they ate they seemed to feel 100% better which was awesome! After lunch we continued driving through Indiana and Illinois into Iowa where we are staying for the night. We had to drive through all kids of crazy weather today to include rain, snow, hail, wind and near flooded roads. The parts of Illinois and Iowa that we have drove through were flooded like crazy I wish I could post the pictures that I took but will have to wait till I get a new card reader.   I have been booking our hotels off from Travelocity when we close to our goal for the day and today Travelocity let me down. Our plan was to stay in Des Moines, Iowa so I did a hotel search for Des Moines and the Best Western popped up at 18.97 miles away so that was perfect then I checked the reviews and amenities to see if it is where we wanted to stay. Everything looked great so I went ahead and booked it. Once I got the confirmation I put the address in the GPS and was shocked when it dropped our arrival time down by about 1 1/2 hours so I pulled up a map and found out that the hotel was way out of our way and no where close to Des Moines so I called Travelocity to cancel our reservation and explained the problem to them and told them that they need to fix the location distance on their website and I was told that it was basically my problem and that they couldn't cancel it because it was for today. I asked if I could call the hotel and cancel and they said no because I booked through Travelocity. Lets just say I was pissed. So we bit the bullet and went out of our way since the hotel was already paid for and came to Best Western. We got our room and brought everything in and across the parking lot was a Pizza Hut so we went there for dinner came back and went in the pool and the hot tub before coming back to the room to settle in for the night.  Tomorrow will be another day of driving in hopes of making it to South Dakota to Mount Rushmore for the night.

Day 20 Clear for Take Off

So last night was a rough night. Cassidy must have got up to go to the bathroom 6 times. I felt so bad for her. Max slept downstairs with Peyton and was able to get a few hours of sleep. We waited to see how the girls did the first part of the day before we decided if we were gonna leave. By about 1130 we decided that they were good enough to leave so we packed up the car and headed out. By the time we headed out it was after 12 and we had a long day of driving to make our goal for the day of Cleveland Ohio. The girls did good until we got to a service area in Ohio. Peyton vomited as soon as we got in there and Cassidy got sick in the restroom. Luckily we only had a little bit longer to go until we got to our hotel so they made it the rest of the way and once we got in our room they both crashed. We got to our hotel around 1015pm so we made decent time considering we had to fight with the wind which was about 35 to 45 mph.

Day 19 Still in NY

We were gonna try to leave today but the girls were still too sick. They each had the vomiting and the poops.. It was a pretty relaxed day. We tried to take them out in the fresh air and for a short car ride and ended up coming back to the farm because they both didn't feel good. Once we got back they both slept for the rest of the day. I guess we will try again tomorrow.

Day 18 My Poor Babies ::::::: WARNING TMI:::::::::

So we got up and waited to see how the girls were before we headed out on the road to start heading back towards San Diego! We thought we were in the clear then the shit hit the fan. Cassidy was laying down then all of a sudden says oops and starts crying she couldn't control herself and pooped in her pants. I lucked out big time since when Cassidy is sick Max is her go to so he had to go in and clean her up. She took a shower and once she was out I helped her get dressed then Peyton gets up and runs to the bathroom before she gets in the bathroom she starts vomiting. So we are here in New York for another day or 2 until they get better.

Day 17 My Poor Baby

What a day. It started out good we brought the girls to Uncle Bub's to ride Toot toot, my dads golf cart and then to target to buy something with the money they got for their birthdays. Then we went to lunch at Jade with Julie and before we even got our food Peyton got sick and started vomiting. Once we got her cleaned up she seemed fine and wanted to eat some rice and jello so we ate lunch and she was fine. After lunch we ran to Grandma Codys again because Kaykay had some stuff for my mom that we needed to bring backt o San Diego with us. While there Peyton just laid on the couch and floor so we knew she didn't feel good so instead of going visit anyone else we came back to the farm. Peyton continued to lay around and not do anything. Angie, Victor and the kids came over and we ordered pizza and wings for dinner and while eating poor Peyton started vomiting again. So we gave her a bath and she fell asleep. Once both kids were in bed we watched Parental Guidance then called it a night since we plan on leaving in the morning.

Day 16 A Day at Grandma Cody's

Today the girls and I went to spend the day at Grandma and Pipa Cody's while Max and Billy went to the Bridge Street Auction! My cousin Sara came down with her 2 kids and my uncles girlfriend's son Jake was there too. So all the kids went out and played in the sand pile and ran around having a good time. Rachel cooked us tacos and baked some cupcakes. I went to the store to visit with Kaykay for a while since she had to work all day. It was a great day I love spending time with my grandparents and my family. I miss them so much I hate that I can't see them more often but I love that when I come to visit its like nothing has changed!

After a while it was time to leave because we had dinner plans with Max's parents at Texas Roadhouse. And to my surprise before I go there they told our waitress that it was my bday so after our dinner the waitress brings this saddle to the table for me to sit on and everyone yelled happy birthday!! This was my first time at Texas Roadhouse and I must say it was really good!

After dinner we headed to Aunt Julies for the night! This was the first night that we stayed somewhere else besides at the farm! The girls were excited to see Aunt Julie as was I!! We stayed up and talked until the girls fell asleep. We made plans to have lunch with Aunt Julie the next day since we was going to be gone to work when we got up.

BTW I won't be able to post any pics because my card reader broke so I will update with pics when we get back to San Diego.

Day 15 Girls Day/Birthday Celebrations!

Today Max and his dad, brother and grandfather went to a farm auction while Donna and I brought the girls to Plattsburgh for a girls day! We first went to lunch a McDonalds and let the girls run around and play in the play area for a while then we brought them to Target! Donna bought Peyton and early birthday present a Lalaoopsie Mermaid and then of course Cassidy wanted a toy too so I ended up buying her a Lalaoopsie too!  Once we were done in Plattsburgh we came back to the house and started to get ready for the BBQ to celebrate mine and Travis's birthdays! Everyone came over and I was able to take a couple pics of all the grandkids for Donna and Billy! What a time that was I think I got 1 good pic out of about 10! After the BBQ Carter, Isaac, Jaime, & Austin stayed the night so we had 6 kiddos running around and then around 11 pm  they all started dropping like flies one would fall asleep then after about 5 minutes another would until they were all asleep!

Day 14 Waking Up To Snow

We woke up this morning to about 2 inches of snow. The girls were so excited! they hurried up and ate breakfast and put on the snow gear that Nanny got out for them since we didn't bring ours and out the door they went. They made snow angels and tried to make a snow man but there wasn't quite enough snow!!

Day 13 Its Freezing!!

Today we went to Plattsburgh (the city) to pick up a few things. We went to the mall and that for sure hasn't changed! A few new stores and that's about it! We picked up what we needed and went to lunch at one of our favorite places McSweeny's Red Hots!! Now if you are not from the North Country you probably don't know what a Michigan is but this is one of the best places to get one up here. By the way a Michigan is like a chili dog! As soon as we got in the restaurant I seen some people that I knew so I went and talked to them I hadn't seen Mike and Patty in over 6 years or more.

 

once we were done doing what we had to in Plattsburgh we went to Beekmantown school for a playdate with my cousin Sara who I haven't seen in over 5 years and her kids! Lets just say it was freezing like 34 degrees freezing! The playdate lasted about 40 minutes on the playground and then we all left because we were FROZE!!!!

This crazy cold front has been following us and doesn't want go! I think the warmest weather we have been in is in the 50s & 60's! When we drove through Delaware it was in the 80's which was nice. When we got back to farm Angie came over with the kids. We left the kids run around and go out to the barn while we stayed in the house and made pizza and breadsticks! Then once the kids came back from the barn Peyton was crying she had fell in the cow poop and was covered from head to toe. She went straight in the tub to get cleaned up!

Day 12 Visiting Family

Today we spent visiting with my family! First stop was my grandparents then my uncle who wasn't home then to my other Grandparents. It was great to see everyone! It has been almost 2 years since I last seen them!

The girls tormented my grandparents cat! My grandparents said they never seen it play like that before! After they were done Cassidy had a scratch on her hand and Peyton had one on her face!! All in all a good time!!

After we were done visiting we came back to the farm for the girls to play and relax for the evening! We ended the night with a movie Hotel Transylvania!

The weather has been getting colder and it is supposed to snow by the end of the week!

Day 11 A Day on the Farm

Our first full day in New York we spent relaxing and bringing the girls around the farm! The girls had been so excited most of the trip to go in the barn to see the cows and Peyton wanted to milk a cow so we went to the milking parlor and let her milk a cow! The girls had a ball! On the way back to the house from the farm the girls both fell in the mud! We couldn't help but laugh!! Cassidy being the girly girl that she is got upset because she had got mud all over her jeans and hands and Peyton just took it like a champ and got right back up!

Once we got the kids in the house for the night we had dinner and sat and watch the Rise of the Guardians!!

Day 10 Long Day of Driving!

This was the day that we headed to New York. It was sad to leave Kerry and Antonio's house. We knew we had a long drive ahead of us so we got up and got ready and were out of the house by 830. Instead of taking Interstate 95 we took an old route we used to take that cut a few hours off but were unaware that it was all under construction this time so a 13 hour trip turned into 17 hour trip. We first got through North Carolina and into Virginia and headed to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel then into Maryland and into Delaware to New Jersey then finally into New York.

We got to Donna and Billy's house a little after 1am. The girls did good the whole way we made a few stops so that they could get out and stretch and walk for a little bit.  New York marks the half way point for the mileage of our trip! We are here for a week then back on the road!

Day 9 Ripley's Aquarium

We got up early and headed to Myrtle Beach to go the Ripley's Aquarium and to have lunch at P.F. Changs!! We got to the aquarium and got our tickets and started to enjoy the aquarium! One of the first things we did was go to the touch tank and pet the sharks and held the horseshoe crabs. Then we got on the conveyor belt and went through the tunnels of the tanks. After we got out of the tunnel we went and waited for the mermaid show. The girls loved the mermaid show even though Cassidy was like they were not real Mermaids I could see their heels and Peyton argued that they were real!!

Once we were done with the aquarium we headed to have lunch at P.F. Changs!

Day 8 A Day of Relaxation!!

Today we went and had Sushi for lunch and went to watch The Croods!! The girls enjoyed playing with Kassidy and Donovan! It was awesome hanging out with Kerry and Antonio! The 4 of us have not been together in about 2 years which was way too long!!  By the way The Croods was a good movie!! We laughed, the kids laughed, it was all in all a good day!!

Day 7... What a long day

This morning we headed out to Jacksonville NC. We had 560 miles between our beginning point and destination. It started out smoothly then went downhill. We left Joes around 930 topped off the gas tank and hit the highway.

 

 

 

About an hour into it Cassidy said she had a tummy ache. She did fine and fell asleep. First delay in the day was we hit some traffic in Atlanta GA then we hit what seemed to be hundreds of miles of construction. We pulled off for gas and lunch and switched drivers. I began to drive but before we took off we gave the girls Dramamine before they got carsick. About a half hour after getting back on the road Cassidy's got carsick :( and the bag she was vomiting in had a hole in it so we had to pull over again and clean her up, change her and clean the car. After all that we get back on the road and make it to Jville about 2 hours after we had planned to. As soon as we got in the house Cassidy got sick and was up most of the night vomiting. :( Peyton scared us all to death and fell down the stairs and I'm not talking a regular fall I'm talking cart wheels down the stairs feet over head.. it was crazy.. she was a trooper though and only cried for a minute.
The rest of the night we hung out and talked with Kerry and Antonio and had the few drinks.

Day 6 Catfishing

Today we went to John and Linda's house ( Joes dad). We haven't been there since 2004. Since the last time we were there he had built a fishing pond in the back of his house and filled it with tons of catfish along with other fish.
It was cold around 40° and raining but we took the girls fishing anyways! They had been excited about it since we told them about it.  At first we didn't catch anything so we went in the house and John had cooked some catfish that he had caught earlier so we ate and warmed up before going out fishing again.
When we went back out we went to another part of the pond and the fish started biting! Joe caught 1 then I caught one then Max caught one and so on. I think we caught like 7 or 8 and released them all back! The girls were super excites to hold the catfish and put them back in the water!

After visiting with John and Linda for a while we headed back to Joes to get ready for our journey to Jacksonville NC to visit Kerry and Antonio in the morning. 

Day 5 Putting The Girls To Work

Today was a good day. We put the girls to work helping Joe do some yard work! They enjoyed carrying the lumber and racking the leaves!

Joe started a fire with the leaves and the girls instantly became fire bugs! They LOVED being outside and helping Joe.

Day 4 short and sweet

Today was a good day we got up had breakfast and headed out on the road!

We drove through Louisiana, Mississippi and arrived in Opelika Alabama!


We got to our friend Joes house and started settling in and let the girls run crazy!
We will be spending the next couple days here until we head to North Carolina to visit Kerry and Antonio and the kids! 

Day 3. What a day!

Well day 3 started off good then slowly went downhill. We left Tucumcari,NM and headed through Texas to Shreveport, Louisiana. We knew today would be a long day of nothing but driving I figured the girls would start having meltdowns since we have spent more time in the Yukon these past 3 days than doing anything else.

We lived in Texas from 2006-2007 and had the worst luck and that continued today . Where to begin we love the speed limit of 75 and were cruising 80 on the 287 and got pulled over for going >75... luckily it was just a warning and the officer was really nice and asking us about Miramar and whatnot! So we now know don't go over the speed limit in Texas!

After about our half way point thru the day Max and I switched and I started driving. I got the fun parts! I got to drive on the 35/635 through Dallas at 430/500. Yep rush hour... traffic was crazy and they have so much construction going on its crazy. While I was trying to get over in the next lane we because my exit was coming up I had to wait for a truck towing a trailer and as I was merging over his fender comes flying off the trailer and I had to dodge it along with the other hundred drivers near me.. CRAZY....

Then we get on the 80 and are still in traffic and all of a sudden I hear it ... Peyton gets car sick... oh yeah she vomited all over blankie and herself and her carseat. So I get off the next exit and pull into a gas station and go in to get a key for the bathroom. Cassidy goes in to go pee and comes out saying there was no toilet paper so luckily I had packed a roll just incase of something like this happened. We get Peyton cleaned up and her blankie washed off and new cloths on her and I walk back to the store to return the key and stepped on a piece of glass... Yep right through my flip flop and into my foot.. again luckily I packed a first aid kit for something like this!

After all that we headed back on the road on the 20 to head to Shreveport.
We arrived in Shreveport safe and sound now to get some sleep!! Tomorrow we go to Alabama for a couple days to visit with our friend Joe!