Luke's first Road Trip!

 We decided what better time to take a family road trip than right before we go from a family of 3 to a family of 4.  My brother and his family have been living in Colorado Springs for almost 4 years now and we decided to pay them a visit.  Yep ... we voluntarily chose to drive 18 hours in the car with an 8 month old.  And no, we aren't nuts :)

We left for our trip right at Luke's bedtime figuring he would sleep through the bulk of the driving and it worked like a charm! 

He would wake up when we stopped for gas but a quick bottle and he was right out again.  I swear this little man is the perfect travel companion.

Because of some horrible unexpected weather in Nebraska, what should have been a 16 hour trip took more like 18 and a half.  The highway was only drivable in one lane unless of course you were driving a semi.  And their desire to drive entirely too fast in the left lane was what caused constant white out conditions for those of us being cautious in the right lane. I was SO ready to get out of the car!!

We were SO very happy when we finally arrived!   We spent the first couple days just hanging out as a family and then the sight seeing began. 
We traveled to Manitou Springs for lunch, exercise and some shopping.  Luke just LOVES his cousin Payten and being outside :)

The next day we got to explore around the Air Force Academy and the chapel is breathtaking!

Luke hanging with his Auntie Kayla

He was so well behaved considering there is not much for an 8 month old to do in the chapel.  I just love him!
The next morning we headed to the Garden of the Gods and got to try out Luke's hiking backpack carrier for the first time.  We were so pleased that he loved it.

(Uncle BJ, Auntie Wole and Grandma and Grandpa with Mommy)

(Hanging with Uncle Beej)

(Lunch break before the big hike)

 

(That's Pike's Peak in the background)

(Yep she hiked the whole thing with a bum knee and a crutch)

How could you not hike to the top when this is the view from up there??  Amazing :)

The only downside of the hike is that the warm weather made it VERY muddy.

Just a few more from the Garden of the Gods

After leaving the Garden Luke and I went home with Kayla and Payten while the rest of the clan went up to Pike's Peak.  We didn't want to risk the elevation change with their tiny ear drums. 

Sadly they weren't able to summit as winds were around 90mph at the top and had been picking up stones and shattering windshields.  But as you can see they still captured some amazing pictures!

The last day of vacation we drove up to Breckinridge to check out the ski resort.  I think the gondola ride was one of my favorite things on our vacation.

The ski hill was pretty impressive as well.  We couldn't believe how many little kids were just cruising down the hill without a problem.

On the way home we got caught in a snow storm and were stuck on the interstate for some time.  Anyone noticing a trend here??

After escaping the interstate it was time to head home again.  This time we decided to break up the drive a bit and stay overnight at a hotel. 
Luke was diggin the continental breakfast :)

And in the parking lot we saw a Colorado tumbleweed

We were a little concerned about doing the bulk of the driving home during the day because Lucas wouldn't be sleeping but he was a rockstar!  Honestly not a single melt down all the way home!
Even mommy was having a breakdown during her Nebraska drive.  I mean seriously have you ever driven through the entire state?  It's like watching the same thing on repeat for hours.  AWFUL!

I'm sure those of you who follow our story and know that Luke is exclusively fed breast milk are wondering how we managed on our vacation.  We took enough frozen milk from home to get us to Colorado and then were blessed with two beautiful milk mommies who donated a combined 250 ounces to us during our stay.  We are so so blessed!!  And while on the road this is how we roll ...

Here are some final pictures of Luke getting ready for the last stretch of the drive in his jammies and about to watch Nemo as he falls asleep.

 So lets recap ... this trip comprised the following firsts for little Lucas
First Road trip
First sleep over in the car
First time in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado
First hike in his backpack
First time eating noodles, mashed potatoes, and refried beans
First time in a SUPER Target (WHY do we not have one of those here?!?!)
First time staying in a hotel
First continental breakfast
I'm sure I forgot a few but that's a lot for one little guy in just one week.
And now ... he is CRAWLING!!   Excuse me while I go remove everything from our floors ;)