Life as a Yowler

We had our first traveling stress yesterday. We got a flat tire on the van(that we’re towing). We noticed it when we were parked at a campground. Brandon filled it with as much air as he could. He drove fifteen minutes to an auto body shop. I wasn’t as worried about him as I should have been, since we were in the middle of a little fight. All ended well. Brandon made it to the auto body shop. We resolved our fight. And Brandon even made it to his 5pm training. He had two trainings yesterday, one morning and one evening.

We stayed at a KOA Holiday campground in Sioux City. Holiday means the campground has more activities to do than the average campground. I have known all along that my kids play HARD, but yesterday that reality really stuck out to me. Those kids play and play and play. They don’t stop. I think that’s why we all love camping so much. It’s a very healthy way for them to get their energy out. We love campground activities.

The kids ended up each getting two to three showers each yesterday, partly  because of these tires. Their arms and legs turned black from climbing.They had a horseshoe toss game.

They also had connect four.

They had a jump pillow.

They had a mini golf course. This really showed how much my kids have grown up since last year. Just last year, Joah was the only one who golfed well. This year Brielle and Caed did just as well as him. Isla on the other hand….. we still cheered for her mediocrity.

Our camper was parked right next to the mini golf course, so I had a clear view. Joah and Brielle wanted to spend the afternoon golfing, so I sent them to golf a second time by themselves. They sure are growing up. Shockingly they did great. They played well together, and had zero fights.

I got a text from a Brandon in the middle of his evening store training telling me to get the kids dressed up to go out for dinner. One of the sales associates said there’s a very nice restaurant right on the river we should eat at.

I had just made our dinner, but I am practicing not only being flexible but choosing a wonderful attitude. I have to say, I did fairly well. I just saved dinner for tonight.

Meanwhile the boys took matters into their own hands after finding out the camp pool wasn’t open until Memorial Day. Between painting nails and making dinner(that we didn’t eat), this happened. They came up with their own creative way to swim. A third shower for the boys later, they were ready again. Lord be near.

I know I’m partial, but Isla just might be the cutest baby in the entire world. Oh those little cheekies…..they are very kissed.

We ate at a really good restaraunt called Crave.

We had river side seating. It was so pretty.

The food was amazing. There was prom going on last night and there were so many highschoolers seated around us. Caed wondered if they were all “princesses?” A lot of prom dates ordered the restaraunt’s volcano dessert with fire that shot out the top of it. We didn’t even have to order our own. Our kids got to see about twenty volcanos all around us.

Caught with a mouth full of brocolli.

We really enjoyed this trip. It was just the perfect length of time to test out the motor home before the big trip. We figured out the things we forgot, mostly clothing items. I’ve been making a list. We figured out a system of getting school done, surviving driving, food, and outside play. We have figured out, much to Brandon’s disappoinment, that Carla was not born to drive the RV. Brandon will be in charge of driving, and I will handle the rugrats. We really look forward to this Summer’s travels and making more memories. Now to survive 13 hours of driving home today.