Illinois!!

At the beginning of this year (three weeks ago) :) we met some goals we'd set and decided it was time to save for a trip to Lawrenceville, IL. A week later we got an invitation for Jadon's shower in Lawrenceville, and just for fun decided to see what it would cost to fly there. It was very doable this time of year, and since we are a little spontaneous and maybe slightly crazy we decided to do it! So with a weeks notice we grabbed tickets and made quick plans to fly across the country with 5 kids in the middle of flu season. :) And with the Lord's blessings and mercies we made it and had an awesome time!! 

Ethan "helping" with the packing!

We flew with Southwest and the flight we picked flew out at 6:30 but with carseats to pack and 3 large bags plus carry-ons we knew we needed an early start. So at 4:00 AM with Uncle Dave along we headed for the airport! We were so glad we brought him as he stuck with us until we had checked in and handed over 5 large pieces of baggage. We then waved good bye and headed for security, the line was crazy for that time of the morning but since all of us but Ethan carry Nexus cards we could use the "by pass lane" actually known as something like Trusted Traveler I think. That was a relief or it would have been a much longer morning!! We collected ourselves on the other side and made it to our gate with a few minutes to spare. 

 Boarding!

 Looking with some hesitation at the plane while we fold the stroller and collect all carry-ons.

 On Southwest you get to pick whatever seats are open when you get there. You also get the privilege of boarding right after the "A" group if you have small children. We qualified. :) As a result we were able to get seats right across from each other on all flights! Very nice!

 It was Ethan's first plane ride, everyone else had flown at least once.

They still serve drinks and hand out refreshments on Southwest and it was not just peanuts every time either. Ritz mini cheese bits and apple breakfast bars and coke. The kids thought it was cool because they got their own cup of coke on ice with a straw on every flight. :)  I am not advertising for Southwest but it was definitely a good experience with free luggage and all. We were able to pack snow gear for winter time and farm boots without having to worry about spending extra money! 

 Breakfast bar and a "smile for the camera" smile. ;)

A mountain range somewhere between Washington and Colorado. :)

 Ethan actually loves to scribble right now, so this kept him busy for a while I had thought that with such an early flight some of the kids would sleep but not so. The first leg was 2 1/2 hours to our Denver layover. Ethan slept for maybe a half hour on take off and that was all. It was just tooo exciting to be heading to Uncle Hans and Aunt Susie's!! :)

 Phi observing the flat quilt work pattern of farm fields as we prepare to land in Denver. Farm fields look so cool from the air.

 We were a bit worried about the Denver layover as the tickets said we had a scant 35 minutes from landing to take off. That could be a night mere in some air ports. But it was with great thankfulness that we stepped off the PDX plane and over to the next gate to wait for it's passengers to disembark so we could be on our way to Indianapolis.

2 1/2 hours later we were there! It was the most efficient way to get there it seems, being split perfectly in half with the stop in Denver. Phi decided Indianapolis was probably called that because the Indians that used to live there must have lived off apples. :)

 Happy to be off the air plane!

 This was a walk way in the airport and the lights seemed to either follow movement or maybe a pattern, any way they flashed back and forth and up and down the long hall way.

 We arrived at the car rental counter like this,two luggage carts plus 5 kids and the kind guy at the counter upgraded us from a caravan to a suburban for a very good deal!

 Excited to be in a new car, not knowing we still have a 2 1/2 hours drive a head of us...

 

 I was very thankful to be in a 4X4 as we drove thru swirling snow flakes though the roads were clear.

 We enjoyed an amazing sunset and before we knew it we were there!

 And Jadon and his Daddy and Mommy and (Gramma Jo who had arrived the day before us) welcomed us.

 After quick baths and showers to wash off the travel germs and a warm dinner and a little bit of time to play with toys. We packed up again and headed for reading and prayer meeting 5 minutes away. 

We finished that first long day with bedtime stories with Aunt Sus, amazed  and thankful that we were actually in Lawrenceville!!