Day 1

We made it into Erlanger, KY at about 5:15pm EST otherwise known as 4:15 back home. We set a goal to leave at 8am and we left at 7:57am. 1st goal met. We made it an hour and a half before making our first rest stop and it was a lovely rest area too, they must have some $$ in IL to upkeep the rest areas like they do. We were in 5 states today. I first thought the equation would go something like this - 12 days, 11 people, and 8 states. But seems the correct equation will be 12 days, 11 people, and 9 states. Today we were in IA, IL, IN, OH and finally landed in KY. It looks like we have 5+ hours tomorrow before we arrive in Kingsport, TN. Cade and Kyler were so fantastic on the way here, I actually had to check a few times to make sure they were really in the van. The 3 boys in the backseat; Cael, Carter, and Quincy were also pretty well behaved. Quincy seems to have a need to know "are we almost there?" Jaycie spent many hours crying which we figured she would, we have not had any children her age enjoy a ride anywhere. Mackenzie, Reegan, and Addy were the most restless on the way down. May have had to do with being next to Jaycie. Dean drove the whole way down, he is a driving warrior, and does not give the wheel up very often. I started a Karen Kingsbury book on the way down called "Unlocked". It is beyond fantastic. I thought I had read every book she had written but alas, I found this one she wrote last year at the Lisbon library. I will be finishing it today, it is a must. When we got here I had to make a run for a few groceries and some supper which meant I had to put the book down (bummer). I went to Krogers and the lovely check out lade Paige punched in her Kroger card number and saved me $7.38!! If you are ever in Erlanger, KY and you find yourself in the Dixie Hwy Kroger I highly suggest that you find Paige and go to her checkout. I did take a photo of what a van looks like all packed up and filled with love and children. Seriously? It ROCKS!! Plus, as tradition holds, the van windows are painted up. We have to be lookin pretty good driving down the road!!