Road Trip #1 (Ohio and Indiana)

When we decided to buy a car, we were excited about the possibility of getting the best deal we could anywhere in the country and then taking a road trip.  Since flights are free, the only cost would be the actual trip (which we love to do anyway).  We did  A LOT of research and looked at even more cars.  At one point, flights were looking good so we were feeling pressured to decide which car.  We found the car we liked, but then started thinking maybe we would rather get one in Florida (more fun on the road right?)  We ended up waiting another week to go get the one we originally liked best.  

The week we wanted to go was over Labor Day holiday.  We wanted to take a red eye because our kids sleep better and it doesn't take a day out of the travel time.  Unfortunately, flights were NOT looking good at all.  We were going to have to take 3 legs and with standby, 3 kids and lots of luggage, we didn't want to do that.  The day before we wanted to go, I spent 2 hours looking for a way to Cleveland and finally decided to fly to Indianapolis, getting in at 10 pm our time and then take a direct flight to Cleveland (paying a small fee since it was a United flight) at 2 am our time.  We had so much stuff!  We checked 1.pack and play, 2.suitcase full of road trip supplies and food, and 3. carry-on.  Through security we pushed a double stroller, carried 2 car seats and a booster, a diaper bag, cooler full of food, blankets and pillows, laptop bag and another carry on.

The kids fell asleep on the first flight and then we found some great little benches to sleep on for our 4 hour layover in Indianapolis.  Dave was super busy and stressed with work, so he ended up working through the night.  Luckily, he was up when Hallie suddenly woke up and started walking away from us!!  Scary!  

 

This was looking in at Mariah at 11 pm... apparently awake, but we never heard from her.  

Unfortunately, they close the airport at night, so we had to go get the luggage that we had checked, re-check it and then re-do security.  We were hoping the kids would stay asleep/go back to sleep, but apparently 5 am in Indiana was  a good wake up time for them (this was 2 am our time)  I was worried we were starting out the trip terribly, but they did really well on the short flight.  Mariah was a lapbaby and she was happy as could be for the entire flight. 

We had to wait for 3 hours in Cleveland for the car dealership to come pick us up.  We ate breakfast and Dave tried to sleep.  The kids would not sleep, but since they were happy, I didn't push it.

The airport had a few things of entertainment value for the kids. 

When our van arrived to pick us up I was excited!  It looked great and we started loading our stuff and trying out the gadgets.  Right away, I noticed the power doors weren't working.  This was the ONLY requirement I had in getting a van, so I was super anxious that this van was going to have problems.  I worried that we would have to find a way home without a car or buy a van I wasn't happy with.  Luckily, after we got to the dealership, they figured out that there is a button to disable the power doors and they quickly switched it on, much to my happiness! I took the kids to the park while Dave finished the details of  buying the car and we were off on our road trip.

Kirtland was only 4 miles away, so we took a lunch break in the shadow of the temple there. 

The church has a historic village we got a glimpse of, but everyone was fading fast and we wanted to get back on the road.  Ironically, we were trying to make it BACK to Indianapolis for the night :)

I drove to Columbus while EVERYONE slept.  We stopped at an ice cream shop/ play place/ ice cream tour.  It really was amazing ice cream and a perfect place to get the wiggles out.

I love Mariah's focused-face (unfocused by the camera) in this one. 

We also stopped at the temple for a few minutes.  I love the peace even on the temple grounds that you feel walking around the temple.

Dave got a Marriott card for his travels and with that we earned one free night.  We took advantage and stayed on the Indianapolis canal.  We loved the Marriott and all they provided for us.  We realized that staying in nice places was going to make us realize how bad the other places we stay are.  We decided to keep the kids on our time zone which means we took them swimming at 10 pm, much to a young couples dismay :)  We ate pizza on the canal and then crashed for the night at 10 our time (1:00 am in Indiana)  This room had a bedroom and living area, so we got to be separate from the kids which was nice.

Dave and I got up early and ate (separately) at the buffet on the canal.  It was amazing food and lots of different options so we took enough for a lunch later, too!

The kids slept until 10 am.  They ate in our little kitchen and we headed to the Children's museum. When I was researching what to do in each city I learned about this museum and how it is apparently the best in the world.  When I saw the prices ($18.50 adult/ 13.50 for kids) I thought there was no way we would go.  The more I read about it, the more I wanted to try it out.  I then found coupons for buy an adult get a kid free which expired on Friday, so that is why we were rushing to get to Indianapolis by Thurs. night.  Well, we were not disappointed.  We spend nearly 6 hours there and barely scratched the surface of things to do and see.  I regretted that we spent so much time in some of the exhibits only to miss the better stuff we saw later.  

dinosaur exhibit (much like the Natural History)

 train museum (with 2 different train tables and toys)

I said, "look serious" and this is what they came up with. 

There was a little area where Mariah could play untouched by the bigger kids.  She liked the mirror and trying to grab toys.  She is getting fairly mobile with scooting and reaching.

Teddy bear house (dramatic play for little ones)

This is a glass art work the ramps went around and up for the 5 levels.  There was a small corner with plastic pieces shaped like these where the kids could build their own 'glass art' tower.  Also, a table that you laid on and it turned as you looked up at the different pieces of glass.  A very interactive way to make art come alive for kids.  Instead of yelling, "don't touch the art!!"  I was happy to have them create and look.

On top of the areas already shown, there was a Egypt exhibit, filming of Avatar,  Science center (water tables included), airplane museum, national geographic history exhibit and more.  It was like 4+ different museums combined into one.  Plus every nook and cranny had something to see/do.  There was an amazing water clock that filled up each second, which turned into minutes and hours.  There was a stage with dress ups for plays, an indianapolis race car, miniature doll house rooms and creations, etc, etc.  Absolutely amazing.  I recommend it to anyone with kids!