Road Trip 2012-Rapid City, South Dakota to Casper, Wyoming (May 23, 2012)

Devils Tower, Wyoming!

(Click here for today's pictures)

As we were packing to leave today, Robby told me that I was not doing my job appropriately.  Apparently, I have stopped taking the coffee, soap and lotion from the hotels and he is having to do that for me. I will admit that I haven't been as diligent this trip because if I take every bar of soap and shower cap my suitcase will be full of soap when we get home.  Though I will get better and this hotel room will be amenity free when we leave.  

We had our hotel breakfast and then left for the day.  It was 9:24 AM and our total mileage from the day before was 178 miles.  If you happened to notice, one of our president pictures was with Reagan and her eyes were closed.  And that was just not going to work so we swung back by that statue this morning on our way out of town.  We didn't tell the kids what we were doing so when Robby told Reagan to unbuckle and get out she was quite confused.  As I walked with her to that statue, I told her that her eyes were closed and she said "oh, no" and I could tell that the poor child thought I meant her eyes were closed in all of the pictures she took yesterday.  As we climbed back in the car, Anderson moaned "we have to do this again?"

Our first stop was the geographical center of the United States in Bell Fourche, North Dakota.  It became the center after Hawaii and Alaska were added so when you look at a map of the 48 states it doesn't really look like the center but I will trust the National Geodetic Foundation.  We took a few pictures there and each time we have stopped to take a picture lately, Anderson has sneezed and sneezed.  Robby probably has more pictures of Anderson sneezing today than he does of the rest of us combined.  They had a nice little visitor's center set up and the flags from all 50 states.  The kids enjoyed seeing the ones that we colored for the trip.  After running around for a few minutes and passing out a snack, we were back on the road to Devil's Tower.

On our way there, Campbell continued to notice train tracks and every time she sees one she shouts "train track, Anderson, train track."  Even if she has just turned her head to look out the other window, when she turns to the other side and sees that train track again, she will again shout "train track, Anderson, train track."  Campbell is just as happy as she can be in the car.  She spends most of her time playing with her baby doll.  Today we heard her sweetly tell her baby "I spank you little girl."  Wonder where she has heard that?

When we made it into Wyoming, it was Graham's turn to move our van.  He was so thrilled to be able to move it to another state.  I have all of the states that we will be visiting hanging around the van.  And then we have a red minivan with all of our pictures in the window that we are moving to each state as we cross the border.  So far, we have completed Anderson's window and are working on Graham's window.  Reagan will do Keaton's window since she sets in the middle and doesn't officially have one.  

It sprinkled on us a bit and looked really rainy but we fortunate to avoid the rain.  It is a bit chilly since we were wearing shorts today but will be in our pants tomorrow and should be fine.  The kids were interested to see Devil's Towel and Anderson shouted that it looked like "Tower of Terror" at Disney World.  I had read the legend that the lines on the tower were made by a bear's claws who was chasing some Indian girls up on top of the tower.  The boys don't really understand that story was just made up and Anderson kept wondering about the bear and how he could reach that high.  We did take a walk around a bit of the base of the tower and let the kids climb on some rocks.  We did take one rock picture and the kids were very, very high up.  Too high if you ask me-but what did I do but pass them the baby so they could all take a picture together.

We drove down from the base of the tower to the picnic area and had our picnic.  It was a beautiful spot and the weather was just perfect.  As we were loading up, Robby told the kids to take a good look because they may never be back there. Reagan said that she was coming back and added "I have to take my kids to all 50 states too."

On our way to Casper, Anderson had to potty and since there is nothing around we just pulled over.  When he was finished (and might that when he needs to potty, he really means it).  As soon as Anderson finished and closed the door, Robby was back on the road.  Anderson was still trying to adjust his pants and get to his seat when he said "I know, I know, I am un-beying the rules."  It took us a few minutes to figure out what he was saying.  He meant to say disobeying but said "un-beying"-not obeying.  Smart little fellow.

Soon after, Graham had a potty stop too but I was driving then and at least waited until he was seated before I started driving again.  I was driving on an interstate and there were cars but not many.  You had to drive over cattle guards to get on the interstate.  You could see for miles and miles-just incredible scenery out here.

We made it to Casper and ate supper at J. J.s Diner.  It was a cute stop and all the kids enjoyed the milkshakes that Robby bought for them.  Anderson declared himself the milkshake king and proceeded to suck every last drop out of everyone's milkshakes as soon as they had finished them.  Reagan spent her time coloring the picture on the menu and was so proud of her masterpiece.  Graham sat in front of an old Coke vending machine and they all enjoyed opening the door and looking in.  

After supper, we drove right down the road to our evening's hotel.  It is an older Ramada-the outside is a bit dated but the rooms are nice.  Though the bathroom is too small for Keaton's pack n play so she will have to sleep out here with the rest of us.  That is fine since Robby is paying 1/3 of what his first hotel booking in this town cost.  
It is now bedtime and Keaton is wound up sitting in my lap watching me type.  Campbell just popped her head up and was whispering something to me about Keaton.  She likes to tell me secrets at night time and will just whisper in my ear and occasionally throw in words like "soccer game" or "popsicle."  Robby saw her little head sticking up and shouted "Campbell" and she threw herself back onto her sleeping bag so fast.  This has now happened a few times and it is like one of those "whack a mole" games.

We are waiting on our little load of laundry to finish tonight.  Last night we did one large load and it took forever for everything to dry.  Robby eventually had to bring it back a bit damp so we could go to bed.  We had clothes hanging from every item in our room.  They all dried well and we were able to bag everything up to wear later.  (I bag one whole days worth of clothes for all of the kids-socks, diapers, underwear, shirts, shorts-all in one bag so I can grab it and go).  Tonights laundry will not take any time but Keaton spit all over her pajamas just as soon as Robby took the laundry down.  Why does that always happen?

Oh, I wish that I could explain things like they really happen here.  I am so tickled at Campbell right now and am trying to quietly laugh at that child.  Back at Devil's Tower today the kids were acting like Indians standing in a teepee and a man who was just getting out of his car approached.  He showed them how to clap their hands and make an echo.  (Don't worry, he was a nice man and not a scary man).  Anyway, it was a pretty cool sound and Robby and I even tried to do it without much luck.  The kids tried for a few minutes and then they gave up.  Now everyone is laying down in it is all quiet in this hotel room.  And then we hear "clap, clap, clap" and Campbell shouts "Momma, I got it"-she is laying over there practicing.

Road Trip 2012-Rapid City, South Dakota (May 22, 2012)

Ultimate Road Stop - Wall Drug

(Click here for today's pictures)
(Click here to see if you can name the President posing with a Dennie kid!)

We all slept well last night and I am always amazed that Robby and I are the least bit rested on a trip.  I had 4 of the 5 kids sleeping with me at some point during the night last night.  First Graham climbed in bed with me, then Keaton for awhile when she woke up in the middle of the night (we had commented right before we went to bed how well she had done sleeping-ha, messed that up).  After I put Keaton back in her bed, Campbell was next to join me and early this morning Anderson climbed into bed with me.  At some point Graham got out of my bed and went back to his spot.  People would enjoy a video of our nighttime bed switcheroo routines.  

We were sitting outside eating our breakfast today on the patio and a man from church walked out.  He had just graduated from seminary and his family was on a road trip as well.  It is a small, small world.  So our breakfast conversation consisted of Reagan asking us how many houses we had lived in.  Robby mentioned that he bought our Gamble house and then we got married.  When he said "married" this reminded Graham of what he said next.  He told us "Daddy's head was a square when he got married."  Of course this had us very intrigued and we asked what shape Daddy's head was now.  "A circle" Graham happily replied.  And I guess that is true-married life has been very good to Robby (and me!)

We left at 9:06 this morning and yesterdays mileage total was 264.  Our first stop this morning was Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota.  It was about an hour away so we zipped there in no time.  Graham was riding in the back and as we drove off he shouted "it shut, Daddy."  He had remembered to check the trunk to make sure it was shut.  Yesterday, Anderson and Reagan didn't check that trunk (not that it is there responsibility) and we drove off from one of our stops with the tailgate open.  Ha!  We went over a bump and the kids started shouting....we were so fortunate that we didn't lost anything.  Of course, we had to stop to close the trunk and to check and make sure nothing was gone, then I climbed to the back to double check we had everything and Robby had to pull over and check one last time.  Thankfully nothing was gone but I am sure we looked silly driving down the road with our tailgate open-at least all of the kids were in the van!

I also asked the kids if there legs were sore today from yesterday.  Robby and my legs are both so sore from walking down the steps of the cave.  I am sure that it isn't because we are out of shape but because we were each holding someone.  I tried to explain to the kids exactly where there legs would be sore, what it would feel like but no, they just kept looking at me with blank stares like I was crazy.  One day they will be old and sore!

We made it to Wall Drug and the kids were pretty impressed with everything.  In the back they had different things to climb on and even shooting water that we wouldn't let them play on.  In one room was a huge dinosaur that growled, moved and even made smoke.  My Graham is getting so brave and watched it all but not so much for Campbell.  She pressed her head up against my backside and hid the entire time.  

Everyone even had their picture made on this large jackolope.  When Robby and I were here 7 years ago, I too took my picture on that thing.  At that time, we walked up to the jackolope and I had to have a push and a shove from Robby to get up there.  I can remember it being quite challenging to finally get my light little self up to the top of that jackolope for a picture.  Finally, I was able to crawl to the top and mounted the saddle to take that picture and I looked down and saw a set of stairs on the other side of that jackolope.  I could have just used the stairs and not made a fool of myself trying to climb up the side of that thing.  What can I say, we were young and stupid.  But today, I made sure that all of the kids used the steps to the top of the jackolope.  

Everyone enjoyed an ice cream cone at the drug store before we left.  I had a slice of apple pie with ice cream and Robby had a mint shake.  We are working on keeping our heads round!  After all it is vacation!

Within just a few minutes we were inside of the badlands.  It is just a strange looking place-it starts to look like the Grand Canyon and then the next thing you know there are those rock formations not making a canyon but forming mountains.  Just odd.  Campbell and Keaton were sleeping and Robby was a bit dozy so the three big kids and I walked around a fossil trails.  It was up on a board walk and there were fossils every so often to look at.  

Then we went to the visitor's center and had lunch outside at a picnic table.  It was hot, hot, hot today and the kids down their water bottles in no time flat (probably the reason they have each gone to the potty a dozen times this afternoon and evening!).  We went through the visitor's center-and let me just say that some places are really kid friendly and some are not.  This was really was with lots of things to touch.  

Before we went to the car, we had to take a back picture in the Badlands so we lined everyone up and took a few.  I have one book full of our back pictures from our first ten years of marriage and now we are working on volume two of that series.  I think we had a back picture from last time we were at the Badlands but we never would have imagined that when we returned we would return with 5 kids.  Wow!  

After juice boxes we were back on the road.  On the way back to Rapid City, we passed over a lake and Campbell started shouting "Arkansas, Arkansas."  She now thinks that every body of water that she sees is the Arkansas river.  While driving through Oklahoma we passed the river a few times and that has really stuck with that child.  

Back in Rapid City, we took a few pictures.  Ha!  Understatement!  In Rapid City they have statues of all of the presidents (except the current president).  These statues are on each corner for a few blocks and I thought it would be a wonderful idea to take the kids pictures with the presidents and make a book of all of them.  That way during school when we say the presidents we would also have something to remind us of our trip.  (I know I probably should have just stuck with the flashcards).  Anyway, those blocks were not short little blocks, they were long, long blocks.  We figured we walked at least 24 of those long, long blocks in this little activity.  Campbell and Keaton were in strollers and the kids did really well.  We did often remind them that the faster we walked the sooner we could get back to the hotel and start swimming. It didn't take us too long and everyone cooperated well.  I was shocked to get in the car and count that we had taken a picture of most (if not all) of the presidents.

We drove through Sonic on the way back to the hotel and there happy hour most run til 5 because Robby was pleasantly surprised to hear his total.  Then we were swimming in the hotel pool.  The kids swam and swam.  Graham, bless that child, has no fear and jumped into the pool once without his floatees.  I think he could barely touch the bottom but he made it to the edge without too much sputtering.  (No we were swimming but I was right there ready to grab him but I do specifically remember saying "don't jump in, you don't have on your floatees.")  They swam for quite awhile but eventually Campbell was tired of swimming and ready to go back to the room.

Campbell had already been to the room once with me during swimming.  That child poos in the pool every time we go swimming.  Seriously, every time!  I know that that little revelation has decreased our invitations to come swimming anywhere but it is the truth.  After changing her she did swim for another minute and then wanted to get her bath,

I thought this would be a good time for Keaton to practice taking a bath so I put her in the tub with a tiny bit of water at first.  She did really well and had a good time playing with Campbell...until I saw her grabbing at something.  Apparently, Keaton is very similar to her sister and enjoys pooing in the tub!  

After everyone was clean and had on their pajamas, Robby ran across the street to pick up Arbys for supper.  While he was gone, Reagan worked on her travel journal.  She is drawing a picture from each day and writing a few things.  The plan is to print a picture from the day and put it in an album with what all she has written and colored.  

The kids were famished and devoured their sandwiches and fries when Robby returned.  They watched a movie and then everyone laid down.  Robby laid with Campbell and I guess she thought that if he believed she was asleep then he would leave her along-so she started fake snoring.  Seriously, the child is 2 and is a mess.  

Getting everyone asleep was pretty easy all except for Keaton.  The last two days her schedule has been way off but last night and tonight she will not let us lay her down.  She wails if we walk out of her sight.  Tonight she laid beside me and went right to sleep but every time I would get up to do something for someone else, she would screech.  Hopefully, her schedule will eventually get back on track....before this trip is over.

Tomorrow we are heading to Devil's Tower and Casper, Wyoming.  Fun, fun times!

Road Trip 2012-Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Rapid City, South Dakota (May 21, 2012)

(Click here for today's pictures)

(Click here for a video from today)

I think no one fell out of the bed last night.  I did get Campbell to get in bed with me around one last night.  She had sat up and was trying to cover back up and it was easier for me to just have her climb in my bed than to try to reach her covers.  Besides she is so very snuggly at night time.  Graham crawled into bed with Robby around 5 (Robby thinks) and actually scared Robby when he grabbed his arm to have him scoot over.
Time change helped us out this morning and everyone was stirring at 6.  Normally this would be a bad thing but we had lots to do today and we really needed every minute of it.  Breakfast was uneventful-more yogurt, pancakes, bacon, cereal, juice and cinnamon rolls.  We left at 8:45 and I took my daily picture of the odometer.  The calculation is in for yesterday and it was a whooping 396 miles.  I had actually thought that today was going to be a shorter car day but it turned out that it seemed just a long-not bad, just long.

We were headed to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and it is in the middle of nowhere.  Seriously, nowhere.  Campbell became so excited when she saw a cow.  Graham kept saying "I see nothing"-there was only empty fields upon empty fields.  Oh yes, Campbell did say "cow" earlier today and seemed to call a few cows by the right name.  Though she quickly learned buffalo and burro later in he day so she is probably just as confused as before.  

At the fossil beds, there were lots of dinosaur bones to look at.  Actually they were from animals that came after the dinosaurs.  Whatever and wherever they were from, the were pretty impressive and the big 3 were really interested in them.  We took a walk along a trail and Anderson was a bit disappointed that we didn't see any fossils but we did see a stream and that was pretty cool.  All of the trails, paths, stops around here have signs that say "Beware Rattlesnakes" so we spend quite a bit of time looking for rattlesnakes on all of our walks.

Robby told the kids that we might be going to a cave next and all Graham wanted to talk about was Robby not bringing his flashlight and how he should have brought his flashlight.  Graham continued to get more and more excited about the cave so when we made it after at least a 2 hour drive, we knew we had to go on the tour.  Robby would be the obvious choice to take the 3 big kids and me stay with Campbell and Keaton.  But Campbell would never have that-Robby can not get out of her sight on this trip or she will immediately start shouting "where my daddy go?"  We didn't even try to split up, we just put Keaton in the carrier and all headed out for the "moderately strenuous" hour and fifteen  minute cave tour with 300 steps.  

The kid were excellent-most of them anyway.  No, they were all good and listened intently whenever the guide talked.  Before we entered the cave, she asked people what they thought about when they heard the word "cave."  People started shouting out answers "water" "stalactites" "darkness" "cold" and then my Anderson added the most logical answer to a 5 year old "bears."  And it is true, I do think of bears when I think about caves and really care to see neither anymore!  There were lots of steps on the tour and Robby said he was holding Campbell's hand so tight that she probably had bruises.  Anderson was the head of our family and made sure that we kept up with the people in front of us.  Graham was right behind him and Reagan was behind Graham constantly reminding him to hold on to the railing.  

By the middle of the tour, Keaton was ready to get out of there.  She started a bit of fussing and I whispered to her "are you ready to get out of this cave."  And Campbell who was walking ahead of me with Robby shouted back "yes."  So funny.  Near the end of the cave, the guide turned out the lights and we just saw by candlelight like the original explorers did.  And then she blew out the candle for us to see darkness.  And really when you think of darkness, it is nothing compared to darkness of a cave.  And that is why I thought the kids would lose it-Robby was holding Campbell with his hand on Graham, I was holding Keaton with my hand on Graham and Reagan and Anderson pressed up against me.  They did fine and then the guide even pushed the limits some more and asked for everybody to be completely silent for a few seconds.  I thought that would never work because Keaton was still fussing a bit and Campbell was quietly whining but when she asked they all seemed to understand and not a peep was made out of the Dennie kids.  

By now it was 3 and we hadn't had any lunch.  We thought we would drive to Custer state park and have our picnic but after the drive to Custer we needed to keep moving.  So we had a snacky lunch and handed the kids a few snacks to tide them over.  Custer is full of buffalo-they are everywhere-all over the fields, all over the roads, everywhere.  We saw so many today that I really had no need to worry about Graham not getting to see them the other day.  There were also prairie dogs to keep us entertained.
But the real entertainment came from the burros.  They are called "begging burros" because most people feed them and they come begging to your car.  The kids had a blast.  Seriously, a blast.  We let them pet them while hanging out of the car.  The burros would leave and Robby would have to swing the car around so they would come back to our car.  Finally when we were finished, we buckled back up and went down the road.  But Campbell started crying-she hadn't got to pet one.  So we had to turn back around so that child could pet one.  She got up to my seat and was not getting anywhere near them but finally warmed up to the idea and petted/poked it a few times.  Oh, my goodness that was so much fun-though Robby had a hard time seeing out of his window today because of all of the burro drool.
Back on the road to Rushmore, Keaton and Campbell started laughing at each other.  They would both say something and then giggle.  Campbell was all cracked up and Keaton laughed more than I had heard her laugh.  We thought all of this was really funny too because those two girls can not see each other at all in the van but they were still laughing with each other.
The road to Rushmore is crazy curvy with tiny one lane tunnels and around one of those bends we caught our first glimpse of Mt. Rushmore.  Reagan exclaimed "I thought that would have been bigger."  Ha!  They don't look that big-we will have to mark out how big they are sometime at home.  Finally at Rushmore, we had a potty stop and walked up to see George, Tom, Teddy and Abe.  Reagan and Anderson know who all was on the mountain and Reagan knows why each president is up there.  We walked a trail closer to the presidents and even managed to get a back picture-I wish Robby would put in some of our outtakes because they are pretty funny.  Taking a group picture is never easy with this crew.

When we climbed back in the car, everyone had their water bottles-which explained why we had to go to the bathroom 3 times during supper and why both boys used the potty at once when we walked into the hotel room.  We ate at an old fire station for supper.  Years ago when Robby and I visited here, that restaurant had been on Rachel Rays show.  I remembered it being really good but alas things change.  No, it wasn't that bad-our waitress started out on the wrong foot when she slammed the tray of drinks down and said "I don't know where to put these."  Of course, I quickly thought of where she could put them but this is a family blog!  It was all fine and the food was decent but the highlight was the giant cookie that Robby ordered for dessert.  We cleaned it up it was so good.

Then just down the road a bit was the hotel.  Robby checks in and then we all come in the side door-like he is hiding us. Maybe he is ashamed of us or maybe hotels frown on having 7 people stay in a room for a max of 4.  Actually, it is just easier walking in the side door and not through the lobby.  It took us a bit longer to unpack tonight since we are here for 2 nights and wanted to get things organized.  The girls took baths and then the boys had theirs.  The kids all played quietly and no one called to complain about us tonight!

You always know when the kids are tired-they crawl into their sleeping bags without us asking.  Even Campbell went to sleep without anyone laying beside her.  Seriously, when I was on the second line of my blog everyone was already asleep.  Vacations with the Dennie family are hard work!

Road Trip 2012-Hays, Kansas to Scottsbluff, Nebraska (5/20/12)

Farm Family of the Year?  NOT, but we are in Kansas!

(Click here for today's pictures)
Around one this morning, I heard Campbell calling for Reagan.  Then she stood up and walked toward the hotel room door.  On her way there she tripped over Graham and fell flat on her face.  I called her over to me (and don't worry she can't get out of the door) and she turned around and walked to me.  On her way she tripped over Graham again and fell right on her little face again. 
So yesterday I posted about the last nights beds being so high off of the ground and the beds from last night were just as high.  They were so high off of the ground that Graham was really shocked when he fell off of the bed this morning.  But he was not quite a shocked as Anderson because Graham fell on top of Anderson.  Graham was still sound asleep when Robby put him back in the bed and Anderson was upset but mostly stunned.  Seriously it is a wonder that anyone can ever get any sleep around here!

The breakfast area was pretty busy but Reagan was still able to make pancakes.  They have a little machine that makes the pancakes for you when you push a button.  I had never seen anything like that and Reagan really wanted to do it at our last hotel but it didn't work.  Today it worked and Reagan just beamed when she walked back to the table carrying her pancakes.  She was so proud of herself.  We ate and went back to the room to load up.  

The roof bag works out well and isn't too much of a hassle to load and unload.  We (mostly Robby) seems to get better at it each time.  But the one thing that makes loading and unloading much easier is that hotel cart.  This morning they were all out and Robby just carried our stuff down the steps to the van.  What does our family of 7 bring into the hotel each night-2 suitcases, 1 large ice chest, 1 small ice chest, my bag, Robby's backpack, the toy bag, pack n play and the bag of sleeping bags.  

The first stop this morning was right across from the hotel-a wheat field.  We just walked right into it and took a few pictures.  A lady driving by even stopped, got out of her car and offered to take a picture of us-now isn't that nice?  Anderson was the most adventurous walking far away, Graham was pretty much right behind him, Reagan couldn't get very far because she was trying not to knock any down and Campbell was having none of the wheat field walking.  

We were loaded and in the car at 9:21-a whole 10 minutes earlier than the day before.  Robby calculated yesterday's mileage and we had driven 389 miles and probably did a bit more today.  We drove without any real stops until after noon.  We did pull over when Robby's contact fell out so he could put it back in but there was a huge piece of farm equipment coming behind us so he got back on the road and drove some more.  This only happened two more times until we were able to stop long enough for him to get his contact in.  The kids were all turned around shouting "it's coming, it's coming" watching that large, large thing coming towards the car.  Their shouting probably made it hard for Robby to get that contact back into his eye.

Campbell spent her time shouting "it's working" every time she saw an oil well that was pumping.  Or she would shout "neigh, neighs" whenever she would see cows.  Robby or I would tell her that those were cows and she would shake her head at us as if to say that we didn't know what we were talking about.  

We stopped in the town of Gothenburg and saw a real live Pony Express station.  We had just read a book about the pony express and the kids were so excited-oh, they really weren't excited about the pony express station, they were excited about the playground behind it!  We did go through the little cabin and found out that a pony express rider had 2 minutes to change horses.  The boys mailed postcards to school and Reagan mailed one to one of her friends-they all put them in the satchel so the pony express could come and pick them up-how fun is that?

Then we let them play on the playground while we made lunch.  The park area was so very nice and we stayed there for a bit until we bribed the kids back in the car with oatmeal creme pies.  Robby turned on a movie for me this time (technology is pretty cool-he can stream a movie from his ipad over the van tvs while we are flying down the road in Nebraska).   I remember watching Seven Brides of Seven Brothers in college and we watched it.  The kids were all into it and Graham even watched the entire thing.  Of course the fighting, singing and dancing probably kept their interest.  Of course afterwards, Graham told me that he was the best fighter ever-not exactly what I wanted to hear.

We stopped for a potty/drink break at McDonalds and Robby picked up a movie at redbox.  Everyone had a drink but we still made it to Chimney Rock before any extra bathroom stops.  We looked through the gift shop, watched a movie, took pictures and got a few stamps for our national park books.  It was trying to rain but we did manage to make it back to the car before the sprinkles hit.
Let me add that the kids actually had a blast in the visitor's center at Chimney Rock.  They had one exhibit where they filled up the wagon with supplies and the light came on if it was over the limit.  The pioneers could only pack so much and often had to dump items in the mountains along the trail.  Anyway, they had a blast filling up that wagon-Reagan was very serious and had to okay everything the boys put in.  She only let them put in one set of bedding and told them they could share, said that didn't need applies and wasn't going to take the rolling pin even though Graham had loaded the wagon with 100 pounds of biscuits.  When Robby put the set of drawers in the cart, Reagan almost flipped out and he was told to remove it.  She would have been one tough wagon packing pioneer.  

On our way to Scottsbluff, there was a huge rainbow.  The kids were all so excited to see it and Graham said that was his first real life rainbow to see and it probably is.  Another big event in the car ride today was seeing a few trains-we followed tracks most of the day long.  We had supper at a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant names Rositas.  They gave you tortillas and they were delicious-if I had some butter and honey I wouldn't have ordered anything else.  

We had already passed our hotel while driving to supper so we found it quickly and went to our room on the second floor.  And I tell you we hadn't been in the room for 30 minutes when the front desk person called saying that there had been complaints of stomping from our side of the hotel and that he was calling everyone.  We don't know if we believe that he was really calling everyone but we really had any stomping-or any out of the ordinary stomping.  Robby was really starting to feel bad until he realized it was only 7'o'clock and no one should really be sleeping too soundly!  Makes me just want to stomp!  Ha!  Anyway, sometime during the day we gained an hour so that will be nice in the morning.

The girls took a bath first tonight and I put Keaton in with them.  She usually screams during her baths so I put her in slowly and she fussed for a minute but not too bad.  We have to get her used to baths!-maybe if she took more!  Then Graham and then Anderson took their baths.  Robby laid with Campbell first to get her to sleep and then I laid with her until she finally fell asleep.  Reagan and Anderson were watching a movie and I then laid by Anderson and fell asleep.    Eventually Anderson told me to move and I went to lay by Reagan for a few minutes.  Robby snuggled by Graham and fell asleep himself and we all snoozed until Anderson said that movie was over.   

Tomorrow is a big day-Mt. Rushmore!

Road Trip 2012-Tulsa to Hays, Kansas (5/19/2012)

Whatcha going to do with that chicken?

(Click here for today's pictures)
Around 1 last night, Graham cried out a few times and I drug him in bed with me.  Ha, I truly drug him into my bed (yes, Robby has his own and I also have my own and we are sleeping like babies).  Anyway, these silly beds are 4 feet off of the ground so I really did drag Graham into my bed.  He never moved after that and this morning said that he got into bed with me early and then added that he waited until the clock said 6.  I didn't remind him that I had put him in my bed!
We had a true smorgasbord for breakfast.  They are probably calling ahead of us and warning all of our next Holiday Inn Expresses that we are coming and they need to order more food.  We had cinnamon rolls, yogurt, bacon, muffins, bread, eggs, biscuits, juice, milk, cereal.  They all enjoyed all of the choices but Keaton was the most pleased eating her yogurt and soggy rice krispies.  We let the kids eat and eat while Robby fought the wind outside and loaded up the van.  
After having driven 304 miles yesterday, we pulled out of the hotel at 9:31 with the odometer reading 64428.  

We had nothing on the agenda today so Robby and I spent a great deal of time trying to find an activity during our morning drive.  There was a little bit of excitement.  We packed Robby's air compressor/battery jumper/and something elser under the seats.  As we were changing roads we turned and that compressor must have slid and turned on.  It was load but very muted since it was under the car.  Robby finally figured out what it was and I headed to the back to turn it off.  Of course when I opened the lid to the under car storage the noise was crazy loud and the kids started panicking things something was wrong.  It still took me a while to turn the loud sound off!

Graham shouted "I see the Eiffel Tower."  He did see a cell phone tower and I guess it looks like the Eiffel Tower.  We can now mark Paris off of the list since we have been to Kansas, home of cell phone towers that look like the Eiffel Tower.

I drove for a bit this morning and passed out some snacks to ensure that everyone was happy while I was busy driving.  They do really well in the car and I haven't even passed out my bribes yet.  Once when we were getting out of the car, Anderson said "I feel like I have been in an airplane for a long, long time."  Speaking of airplanes, this evening as we were driving across Kansas, the wind was blowing so crazily that Robby said he felt like he was flying an airplane.  

Keaton is as happy as she can be in the car.  If she is not drinking her bottle then she likes to have something in her hand. She only fusses when she can't grab her toy.  Keaton has really started saying "bye, bye" well and always waves her hand when she says it.  She thinks this is so funny and it probably helps that she usually has an army of people looking at her saying "bye, bye" and waving back at her.
Our first stop in Wichita was at a candy shop Robby found on the internet.  It ended up being a fancy dancy place and didn't even give out free samples.  Boring!  Though Robby did splurge and buy a bit of candy for the kids.

We weren't able to find a playground for lunch but did happen upon the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita.  We decided to give it a go but first we needed to have lunch.  So we pulled out our blanket and had us a picnic on the banks of the Arkansas river.  The wind was blowing everything away-we finally had to use Keaton as a paperweight on our blanket.  Before too long the sandwiches were made and we were all eating our picnic lunch.  The kids really don't know how good they have things in life-a Saturday picnic with the family on the banks of a river.  

Speaking of these sandwiches, just in like on our Colorado and Utah trip the bread dries out almost immediately after pulling it out of the bag.  On that trip Robby accused me of buying the cheap bread but it is just what happens.  Makes me feel sad for the people of Kansas that they have never had soft bread.  

So Cowtown was a living history type place set in 1870.  We first came upon a horse and buggy.  The driver let everyone pet his horses and all of the kids did.  Now after this Campbell was not going to have anything to do with the horses.  She would see anything that looked like a horse or even a buggy and say "Neigh neigh get me, neigh neigh get me."

We then looked at a grain elevator and later Reagan and Anderson and eventually Graham ran to see it working and saw a buggy being field with grain.  We observed dancing during a wedding reception, had some sarsaparilla, petted a chicken at a meat shop and the highlight of the day.  In the saloon two just released from jail criminals didn't get on the train but lost track of time in the saloon.  The sheriff came and kicked them out of the saloon.  Reagan, Graham and Anderson all saw the action from inside the saloon.  When they started talking loud Graham decided he wanted out of there and wanted to go and get to his Daddy.  He was almost out the door when the sheriff moved and started talking loudly again and poor guy ran back to me.  I finally got him out of the door and Robby said he flew down the steps to him.

Well, back to the criminal-the sheriff put one in jail with 20 kids following them-Reagan and Anderson included.  And then followed the sheriff to the train station to make sure the other criminal caught the train.  The sheriff told the kids that he needed their help and they were to be Jr. Deputies.  They took this so seriously and this was Reagan's favorite part of the day. 

Graham's favorite part of the day was getting to pump the water in front of the saloon.   After leaving there, we were hot and all a bit sunburned.  We found some snacks and drinks and were back on the road.  Somewhere along the way we saw a herd of buffalo in a field.  Anderson said "oh my gosh" and later said this was his favorite part of the day.  Poor Graham was half asleep and missed them but he was just as intrigued by the many, many windmills that we saw today. And it was windy, windy on one leg of our drive.  Rain even blew in and it was a nice little summer shower.  We were driving in crazy wind, heavy rain and was still sunny outside.  

We eventually made it to Hays Kansas around 6 I think.  Robby checked into our room and we even unloaded the suitcases when I went into the bathroom and saw all of the bathroom shower/tub fixtures disassembled and laying on the sink.  So we had to move rooms but we did move upstairs right near the laundry room.  Being so close to the laundry room was a good thing-if you consider having laundry to do at midnight a good thing.  Nah, it is already dried and folded by Robby (I have been doing the blog) awaiting for me to bag up for another day of wearing.

After settling in room number 2, the kids made their beds and then we started putting on their bathing suits.  Oh, they were all so excited and they swam for almost an hour.  Once everyone was settled Robby ran to get pizza for supper (not the biggest of towns here) and we had pizza by the pool.  He showered everyone off afterwards and Keaton and Campbell had a quick bath back in the room.  

The kids came back in the room and played so quietly with their toys on their sleeping bags...for a few minutes anyway.  Then it was time for bed.  And let me add, getting 5 kids to go to sleep in a hotel is like a juggling act!  But we managed and everyone was asleep in a decent amount of time.  Reagan and Anderson always go do sleep first since they haven't had a nap and then the others eventually give it up as well.  Tomorrow might be a longer day-6.5 hours in the car plus quite a few stops on the agenda.  

Road Trip 2012-Little Rock to Tulsa (5/18/2012)

Hello Oklahoma!

(Click here for today's pictures)

After going to bed around 2:30 last night, Robby and I didn't exactly spring out of bed like we had planned this morning.  Though we were up and moving at a decent time and I already had my shower by the time 3/5ths of the Dennie kids were stirring.  Well, I count Keaton as one of the Dennie kids that wasn't yet stirring but that is mainly because she was still in her pack n play and the boys and Campbell were watching a movie beside her.

And I probably should add to the above that Campbell called for me this morning and I said over the monitor that I was coming.  Of course, I really had no intention of going up all of the stairs and was hoping that Robby would hear her.  Soon I heard a thud but thought nothing of it.  And then I heard Anderson and Graham, they were so proud as they were telling Robby that they helped Campbell get out of bed by herself.  "By myself, by myself" Campbell kept saying.  She must have taken quite a fall over the rail because Anderson asked her a few times if she was alright.  I really don't think that she will do it again but I am glad that we will be gone for a few nights so she can forget all about climbing over.

Jodee came over to meet the painter man and Kennedy came in to play for a few minutes.  We were eating breakfast (toast and apples-had to finish a few things off).  After reading them a book, Anderson started talking about out trip to Kennedy.  Finally, Kennedy said "I know, I know, you are going to be gone for 17 days."  Hmm, maybe my kids have been a bit too excited about this little trip!7

The kids were still playing inside from saying goodbye to Kennedy when Nonna drove up.  She had been to Sonic and had everyone slushies to enjoy.  Of course this was a big hit and they were all so pleased.  They all sat on the kitchen floor and drank them up.  Nonna was asking about the trip and Reagan went to get her state notebook and was telling Nonna all about everything that we will see.  They so always surprise me about what they can remember.  

After Nonna left, I sent the kids upstairs to clean the toy room and I worked on the kitchen.  I ended up upstairs with them and we were looking at the maps of all of the states that they have been to.  Reagan will go to 7 new states on this trip, Anderson 8 and Graham, Campbell and Keaton will all get 10 new states.  Reagan and Anderson were reviewing the states that they had not yet been to and Anderson said wistfully "we'll never get to go to Hawaii."  Reagan said that she really wanted to go there.  I assured them that there Daddy was going to do everything he could so they could go.

They then watched a movie while I fixed lunch and before lunch was finished Robby was home and we were starting to load up the last minute things.  Of course things were crazy and everyone wanted to help me load up the ice chest.  Once that chore was finished, I started handing out jobs...you make sure the upstairs lights are off, you go get Keaton a bib, you push the barstools in, you go and get Campbell some socks.  Graham got that last one-I told him to go and get Campbell's socks.  That little guy came back with 7 pairs of socks in his hands.  He said "Mommy, I got 7 in case she gets one dirty."  Isn't that the most precious thing.  I just smiled because how could I explain to that little helper that I really needed only one pair.  

At 1:21 this afternoon, we were taking pictures of the grass that is growing from the grass seed in the house.  Crossing our fingers that more grass will grow while we are gone.  Though we aren't too hopeful!

At 1:22 this afternoon, we were in the car driving down the driveway heading out on this wild, wild west road trip.  We started talking about and planning for this trip in March 2011 and Robby and I can hardly believe that it is here.  In case you were wondering our odometer read 64124 when we pulled out and I will try to post updates as I remember.

Seven people in a minivan is quite a few and we are pretty packed but not too bad.  Here is a run down of what we have where: 

Roofbag-4 sleeping bags, 4 mats for their sleeping bags, 2 suitcases, 1 pack n play, 2 pillows

Under car storage-4 changes of kid clothes, 2 packs of diapers, a pack of wipes, a roll of paper towels, a towel, a cleaning spray, a generator/car jumper/tire airer up,  some tupperware, bug spray and I am sure a few other things that I just started shoving under there in the last few minutes

Trunk-2 large containers of food, 1 massive ice chest, 1 bag of coats and hats for all, Robby's backpack containing his cord collection, floaties and bathing suits in case we do swim and a container of rice krispy treats

In the car-another container of rice krispy treats, a small ice chest, diaper bag, more diapers and wipes, a bag containing toys and night time toys, my bag with my computer and magazines, a small snack box and a bag full of bribes.  

The kids were very much into the movie on the way and Robby decided that they might like the musical Oklahoma.  Unfortunately he couldn't get it on Netflix but did find another Oklahoma movie with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.  And you wouldn't believe it but everyone watched it intently for awhile.  Anderson was the only one who watched the entire thing and even kept up with what was happening for the most part.  When Robby started it I asked if he thought it was clean and he reminded me that it was from the 50s and it should be just fine.  

We passed out the first snacks in Morilton and thought that was pretty good.  We were trying to keep the ice chest zipped for the drinks for the kids so we could go for awhile with out a bathroom stop.  Of course in our van, you have to say you need to go potty two times before you are taken seriously.   Or you have to be holding yourself....

Which bring to mind Graham.  That child has huge whelps of mosquito bites on his little man parts.  I have urged him not to scratch it and he tries not to but he is walking around with his hand on himself.  Hopefully, they will be some better tomorrow-it was like a mosquito just got in his bed and underwear last night.  He is all eat up!!

At 3:30 in Alma, Braums was calling our name and we stopped for a potty and snack break.  As soon as the kids saw that we were going to get ice cream they started begging that they could get their own.  They are growing up because sharing used to be just fine but not now and in their defense everyone gobbled down their ice cream-you would have thought Campbell was 5 the way she ate hers.  

At 6 we made it to Tulsa and got out of the car to see the Tulsa Driller statue.  The kids were happy to run around and even though it was warm in the sun it was pleasant in the shade.  They were all pretty impressed with him.  Reagan does keep calling him Paul Bunyan (I will give her some credit in that we have seen a huge Paul Bunyan statue before).  

After the Driller statue, we tried to type in the address of the bbq place I had found.  Robby had quite the time getting the GPS to like the address and eventually discovered that the restaurant I had on my list to eat at tonight is in Kansas City.  I guess we will have to catch it later!

But Robby did find a BBQ joint called Wilsons.  Their slogan was "You need no teeth to eat our beef, you need to fork to eat our pork and you need 2 bibs to eat our ribs."  And it was that kind of hole in the wall.  No one else was there possible due to the loud music playing in the parking lot.  When I took Graham out of the van, his feet hit the pavement and he immediately started dancing.  He danced and danced in that parking lot-probably just trying to scratch his mosquito bites.

We ordered the family platter-2 pounds of meet, beans, potato salad and bread.  Robby originally thought that we would have extra and could put it in the ice chest but Reagan and Anderson discovered that they liked BBQ so they helped devour the thing too.  We were eating in the back room where they had larger tables and on the walls were stuffed animals-a few deer, a tiger and the back side of a deer.  Yep, I have never seen one of those stuffed.

After dinner, we drove down their river walk area and the kids were pretty impressed that it was the same Arkansas river that was at home.  Anderson said "man, that river is long."  We then went by the praying hands at Oral Roberts and again got out for a few minutes.

And before too long we were at our hotel-a holiday inn express and Robby had our first floor room.  Love those first floor rooms.  Robby and I unpacked the roof bag and loaded the car.  Then the kids and us went into the room and within 10 minutes there were 20 little pet shop and 50 matchbox cars spread out all over the room.  Then they discovered the paper that I had brought and everyone spend some time coloring while Robby and I worked-pjs unpacked, tomorrows clothes unpacked, toothbrushes unpacked, pack n play up, small ice chest unloaded, cart returned, shoes in a pile, suitcases open, more bottles prepared, pajamas on, air mats out, sleeping bags and night time toys out as well.  By then the kids were tired of coloring and playing and everyone was ready for bed.  I think they all had a great time today-we sure did!

May 17, 2012

Our last soccer game...Team Cobras!

Highlights from today: (click here for today's pictures) 

• Since it is after one in the morning I will try to be brief tonight but may not do so well at that since I have a few notes of things I have forgotten over the previous days.  The other night, Graham screamed for me in the middle of the night and when I made it upstairs, he said "Anderson is growling."  I calmed him down and then went back downstairs thinking nothing of Anderson growling.  Then it happened again and I finally figured out that Anderson was snoring and this was scaring Graham to death.  Of course Graham wakes up Campbell who is a light sleeper and it took a few minutes to calm everyone down.
• Reagan and Anderson had two play 100 dollar bills.  Reagan asked Anderson what he would buy if they were real and he said a real fire truck.  Reagan wondered if he would want to buy a big house like ours.  I finally had to explain to those two that there money is what we spent on groceries.  After I told them that they looked so disappointed-I took all of the fun out of there game.  Kind of like when we see we didn't win the lottery and have to stop talking about how we will spend the money.
• Campbell was playing in the dirt pile last night and started screaming "snake, snake."  Not being real sure about what she saw, I went to check and she peered down showing me the "snake."  Of course it was just a worm but I am afraid that someone will soon find a snake around here and pick it up!
• Today was the boys last day of school.  They each took a jar of strawberry jelly to their teachers and Graham was even the snack helper.  It was a big day for Graham because they also celebrated his birthday today since his birthday comes in the summer.  In Anderson's class it was hat day so they even had a hat parade.  (Which Anderson told me he wished I would have been there-dagger through my heart-but in my defense I knew nothing about a parade.  I only knew about bringing a hat).  Anyway, topping off their big day was popsicles on the playground and then going to get slushies on the way home.  (We were continuing to celebrate Graham's birthday a few months early).
• Reagan, Campbell and Keaton spent the morning with Grannymom and Grandpa.  They had a big day and even went to Rock Creek.  Grannymom said that Keaton loved playing there.  She bounced, clapped and even wanted to stand up.  She so wants to do just what the others are doing.  And she is getting so close to crawling-I can leave nothing anywhere near her or she will eventually get to it.
• On our way home this afternoon, I told the kids that we would miss 3 Sundays and they all shouted "yeah."  Not the response I was looking for!
• We had a few minutes at home this afternoon and then we loaded up for the final soccer game of the season.  And of course my champs were undefeated today.  I don't think that Reagan or Anderson scored a goal today but they sure knew exactly what the score was.  Graham is on the sidelines keeping up with it too.
• Robby just told me that one of our team members fell down tonight and Anderson thought he was pushed down. Robby said that Anderson rared up to defend his teammate.  Times like that it is good that his Dad is on the field since Robby quickly averted that crisis.
• After the game, Robby and the kids picked up supper and I headed to Bunko.  Robby bathed the kids and put them to bed and then went out to feed the dog.  And then he discovered that the neighbor kids had emptied his 30 pound bag of dogfood.  He was not happy about that at all-not happy.  Maybe I don't need my BB gun for the dogs but for the neighbors (kidding-kind of).