We tried to book our tickets to Oklahoma for Christmas too late this year. The price to fly one person was more than the cost to drive all four of us out there, so we loaded up the new van and drove straight all the way through the night, stopping only for 30 minutes at a rest stop for a quick power nap. It only took us 18.5 hours to drive over 1250 miles there. When we have driven during peak hours 8 years ago when the kids were still babes, it took us 22-24 hours of driving plus a few hours spent at a hotel unable to sleep. But after doing that straight through drive both outbound and inbound, the all nighters had completely messed up my sleep schedule. My body wants to go to bed around 7am, so it's been a huge struggle to adapt. I've averaged four hours of sleep ever since when I know I should be resting more (not hardly at all) for our upcoming dream trip overseas.
Despite the sleep issues for me, the car ride was not so bad. The van provided a much smoother ride, and the kids had their books, laptops, and ear-phones. Mostly, we all listened to some action packed audio books (
Babylon Rising series) that we had listened to before but still found so exciting and relevant that we could not sleep while the CD's were playing.
At approximately 1:30 in the morning during our journey to Oklahoma, we stopped for another bathroom break and gas refill at a truck stop. I took my son into the adjacent Wendy's restaurant for a middle of the night frosty because it's never too late for chocolate. I was informed that they don't serve frosties at that hour, however, so we decided to try again at 4:00 am. While I understand very well through past experiences working at ice-cream and yogurt shops that the soft serve machines must be cleaned and sanitized every night, it still seemed all kinds of wrong that I could not fulfill my late date frosty promise to my favorite son and rack up some much needed mom cool points.
When we arrived, all the old traditions began. We can always count on my husband's family to make our visit extra special with every tradition from the schedule of events to the meals served each day kept consistent. On the first day we were there, the guys and kids and one gal went to see Star Wars 7. I slept most of the day after the road trip and enjoyed Wild Horse Mountain BBQ, which is probably the best BBQ in America. They have to travel several hours to get the take-out BBQ, but it's a tradition (since the family lived only 10 minutes from the restaurant) and a family favorite, Wild Horse it is every year we come to OK for Christmas.
The next evening was a little different but something I hope can become a new tradition. Usually my husband's parents will keep all the kids while the couples go out for a date night. This time, the guys played laser tag and went out to eat while the girls got manicures/pedicures and went out to a fabulous sushi restaurant. They all live close and know each other well, but I was thankful for the opportunity to get to know my sisters-in-law better without the guys around. The one unmarried brother FINALLY proposed that day, so we wanted to celebrate with his fiance' - yet she ended up picking up the tab for all of us.
One night every Christmas, we all go to the home of the brother who married first. He now has four kids and works as a physician just like their father and grandfather. He's a fabulous cook, so he always prepares a taco bar (steamed chicken, pork, beef) and homemade chocolate chip cookies at their parade of homes builder's showcase home. The home is so gorgeous that each time we go, I come home with lots of inspiration to improve our home as well. This past January set a record for extreme makeovers in our house after visiting this house.
After dinner, everyone goes upstairs into their music room and forms a
family band. They trade instruments and just have a fun time. My
father-in-law played in rock band during high school and college, so
it's fun to see him strumming the guitar with his grandchildren.
Speaking of inspiring....I'm always inspired by the gorgeous artwork and extravagant Christmas decor (as well as modern decorating style) we find out Grandma and Grandpa's house. She's the daughter of a famous sculptor, and I can really see his talent passed down through her.
Grandma's critters are always fun for the kids. She only had one critter in rehab that week. Our daughter taught me how to feed her.
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| Grandma's fat and furry, feathery critters |
So which is crazier about this photo of our dashboard when we returned?
1)
The fact that we traveled all those miles (2352.7) in just two days of
travel without stopping at a hotel during either leg of the trip with
two kids (and a bunny during the last hour of the trip).
2) That the temperature was 78 degrees on December 27 when we arrived back home
One of our son's closest friends and his parents recently moved here from South Africa. His mom posted pics of the temperature here where it is supposed to be winter, and the weather there where they should be having summer. It was warmer here than there. Too crazy.
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| Here vs. There |
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