Holiday Countdown

The countdown has begun.  

Just imagine it: 2 adults, 1 preschooler, 1 infant and 2 dogs journeying almost 4000 miles round trip in the span of 10 days.  As much as I love road trips -- and I used to really love this one pre-kids -- it's so much more involved now.

This is where I wish we had a bigger vehicle (a full size SUV with a 3rd row seat would be nice, instead of a double cab pickup or my ancient 4Runner that we don't trust to make the drive).  Or a bigger bank account to afford the $800+ per person airfare.  Or even a spouse with unlimited vacation time so we could set a more leisurely pace.

C seems to think we'll be able to drive straight through.  My thoughts?  Bwahahahahaha!  Straight through is doubtful.  I'm pushing for 2 days, with a hotel stay somewhere around Omaha to give the kids time out of the truck.  They might not sleep well but it will be better sleep than in carseats.  Maybe.  

As always, we'll do everything on the fly.  I'll be equipped with a list of pet-friendly hotels in major cities from Kearney, Nebraska to Davenport, Iowa.

Twice now we've been stuck somewhere in Wyoming on the drive back West due to inclement weather.  At this/that time of year it's always a gamble.

I'll be praying for sanity, clear roads and docile kids.  The chances of all three are slim but one can hope, right?