"I don't want to be in the car anymore!!!!!"

That was Julia, about two hours into our car ride. It was definitely a long morning. We got the girls up early so we could leave by 7:30 to be at Uncle Steve & Aunt Kathy's in time for dinner. Usually, the girls don't get up until 9 and on all the other days we'd gotten them up, they'd go to be early. But not today. Consequently, Charlotte was also in a terrible mood and things got so bad we had to pull over and move Julia's seat. Chris and I were also so tired from getting up early and staying up late that we swithced drivers constantly. Add in Frankie's general grumpiness and we were stopping all the time. But somehow we made it to Elk Grove around 5. Kathy, being a very wise woman, had bought a Dora sprinkler for them and they immediately changed into their suits and ran around the backyard until it turned into a swamp. We had a fabulous, home-cooked meal (including dessert) and enjoyed the feeling that the majority of ou driving was done.

We got on the road at 11:30 today and are hoping to be home by 6. Julia is finally getting what she told us is the favorite part of our vacation- going home!