Shopping, laundry and packing...oh, my!

 

We are almost on our way.  Kids have been waiting since about May 1st to pack and today is the day!  As we think about what we may want to put in that suitcase and backpack, the first responses were "Swimsuits!" then "Our Junior Ranger vests!"  When we are packing 6 people into a car, we have to make conscious choices as to what to put in our bags.  Will we need this, or that?  How many changes of clothes can we take before we hit laundry facilities at our resort in Phoenix, AZ? 
What other things should we take or can we just get them along the way?  It's so easy to think you can take the wardrobe along with the kitchen sink when you are road trippin' but considering bags and suitcases will be littering the floor and between seats/kids (which could end up to be a good thing), planning is key.  Kids are debating over color choices in shorts and what pajamas to wear as moms are thinking about how to best use space.  As well as how to successfully drive 14 hours overnight, starting tomorrow evening.  Perhaps going to bed later this evening and sleeping in a little later tomorrow is in order (with help from the dads to get the kids up plenty early so they sleep while in transit).  Mom #1 has her iPad with a Verizon connection so maybe the co-pilot will have to blog while in transit (as long as a good connection can be had) to keep conversation alive and the driver awake.  If you see some posts in the wee small hours of Monday morning, you know we will be on the road. 

While we may have a little trepidation at the onset with taking 4 kids on a road trip of this nature (4,246 miles round trip is nothing to sneeze at) , we know that the adventure that awaits will be magical!  Friendships strengthened, memories forged and most likely the moms' nerves shot by July.   Let's pack the car and pile on in!  Rocky Mountains, here we come!