The Gerda Family: First Big Road Trip With Family of 5!

Keaton's first 4th of July - photo opp with Uncle Sam!

We knew we were brave when we decided to drive to Denver last summer. We confirmed we're crazy when we packed up both kids and the dog and drove to NY in ONE day! Yep, 14 1/2 hours of driving with a 2 yr old, 6 month old and a dog!! There were points throughout the trip where we all thought we were going to lose our minds!

Joe did most of the driving so I could climb back and forth from the front to the back. I actually spent most of the time tucked between the two car seats in the back seat. Jensen wasn't nearly as interested in DVDs as he'd been in the past. He wanted to talk, read books, play with cars, etc. Keaton did really well! She got upset when she was hungry or tired. Otherwise, she did a good job of being happy!

We discovered that McDonald's playlands are a must for us when traveling right now. It worked out great so Jensen could get out some energy and I could sit and feed Keaton while Joe was outside walking Bailey. On our return trip, we got on and off quite a few exits looking for a playland. Both travel days were long, but we'd get back in the car today and do it all over again!

Now that we're back, we need a vacation from our vacation! We were BUSY the entire time!! And we're busy now trying to catch up and enjoy the last few weeks of summer!

The pictures tell the story of our trip!

Jensen ran in his first kids fun! He got 3rd place in his age group! He was so excited after finishing the 2 year old race, he lined up for the 3, 4, 5 and 6 year old races!! What better way to dress for a race on the 4th than in head-to-toe red and blue???

Lakewood 10K

Keaton loved the swing at the lake!

Jensen & Keaton playing with Mason (he's just 3 weeks older than Keaton)

A beautiful afternoon at Chautauqua!

Jensen usually manages to have a good time :)

This was so cute - Keaton had just woken up from her nap and Jensen was exceptionally happy to see her! He squealed and shivered with excitement!

Great Gram, Nana & Keaton - at Chautauqua

Jensen's first ice cream cone - at Chautauqua

Keaton sitting in my highchair from when I was a baby! Can you tell it's from 1978-79???

Pooltime at Moonbrook

Riding the boats at Midway

Jensen got to ride the "HOURSIE!"

The original Midway slide is no longer there, but it was fun to go down the big slide with Jensen! "Ahhweeee!"

Keaton loved Midway too!

Of course, we couldn't go to Midway without riding the cars!

We enjoyed a Wednesday night dinner at Onyahsa! And the Wed meal is still chicken & biscuits! What fun to go back and walk around! I enjoyed getting to show Joe around since he's heard all the stories and songs from camp! And exciting to show the kids where they'll someday be campers:) These pics were taken at the point (site of Candlelight!).