Over the Mountains....

Over the mountains and through the desert to California we go!!!

I woke up this morning, packed the car, woke the children, and then retrieved the paper to peruse while the kids readied themselves for departure. On the front page of the paper was a sticky note  with Wyndham letterhead, that had a quote on it. In all the times we have stayed with Wyndham and received the newspaper-- never before has it had a quote on it. This was no ordinary quote-- I felt upon reading it that it was a sign from something greater. Now keep in mind-- this was no ordinary day either-- this was the scheduled California arrival day-- So the quote read " Find what makes you happy and go there". I couldn't believe my eyes!!! Talk about coincidence-- or a greater force reinforcing the draw I feel to California!! So I folded it up and put it in my wallet for safe keeping, and off we went.

We made such good time and in our route took us right along the Mexico border. We actually had to go through U.S. border patrol stops 3 times. The first time I panicked, I thought I made a wrong turn. The agent asked what we were doing so far from home, and all that could come out of mouth was " are we entering Mexico?" He said No and then I calmed down and told him about the road trip. He asked if we had any fruits or vegetables??? The kids were confused-- I said we just had a zucchini and some  strawberries, and he told us to have a good vacation. Weird!!

One of the stop points.

 The kids thought seeing the desert was so cool, like in the movies! You could see for miles and miles.

 Look at that price-- no your eyes are not deceiving you! We really paid only $3.29 a gallon for gas in AZ . Needless to say-- we filled the tank!!

The temperature on our travels today reached an amazing 113 degrees!

We saw a ton of this along our journey on the road that seemed to lead to nowhere for most of the day until....

We came upon this sign! I was so happy to see it I almost cried. I thought for sure there would 

be a welcome center to pose in front of a pretty sign, but no such luck. I guess we did just

enter the state through the dessert!

I was really worried that driving here would be tough , that it would be a severely congested area, but thank goodness, it was surprisingly easy. Plus the people turned out to be extra nice. We were moved to a more spacious room as well, the kids got along all day -- without turning on the stupid TV, so life is good!!

NEW ORLEANS Insectarium

Ne w Orleans is one of Husband and I's favorite places to go.We we're so excited to share it with out children and my mother,but they didn't have the same reaction to the place as we did. Maybe because it rained--liked torrential downpour!! The first day was stressful because the unit did not have a stove or oven, it had a microwave. We had to eat out. The next day we were adjusted to the lack of a stove and decided on doing museums. The rain held out for our walk to the Insectarium, and my Aunt gave us free passes, so it was a bonus!!

#1 scared Grandma by luring her over to a spot in a cave that a huge spider jumped out every few minutes. He thought it was hysterical when she jumped like six feet in the air. I yelled at him, that he's not allowed to give Grandma any heart attacks during this visit or she won't be able to meet up with us again!

So he stopped trying to scare her!

Husband shoved #3 up into a hole in the ceiling of the cave,

Then thought he could just leave him! I made him take him down of course!

Husband and #1 walking through the cave

#3 was like a butterfly magnet in the butterfly exhibit

And another one!

And one more... there was a ton more too!

#1 and Grandma-- what a nice pic!

#2 and I 

The whole family- this one might go on our wall at home

Grandma and the kids... Another wall portrait!

#2 has landed a butterfly!

 Me and my mom

Husband with 2 and 3.

What a fun time at the museum. When we left, we went to the riverside mall for lunch, and just in time. As soon as we got inside, the sky opened up with some serious rain. So we made the best of it, and wandered around.

New Orleans -- Here We Come

I feel hesitant to leave-- I really like Huntsville. I really like the cooked to order breakfast, and nightly snacks! But off we go-- to share with the kids and Grandma one of Husband and I's favorite places....New Orleans. We love the food, the music, the architecture, the museums, the history, the galleries. So we packed the car, said our goodbyes to Nanny, and peaced out for a long 7 hour drive with six of us squished in the car!
 It wasn't all that bad- most of us fell asleep.
When we got there our room was ready and we settled in. It's a beautiful 2 bedroom presidential and I forgot to take pictures!!! Until tomorrow... unsure of what the day holds- there's so much to do.

Husband Has Arrived

Yay!! Today Husband has arrived for a visit! #2 is still attending sewing camp, so that leaves #1 and #3 for yet another visit to the art museum.

My boys are actually getting along!

 #3 found his Three Redheads.

Then decided he wanted to take one home!

 Then Husband got in on the chase....

And #1 !!!

What in tarnation are they thinking?? We are not taking home any ducks! Order needs to be restored!

Finally peace for the Redheads as I held my boys back! 

Then we went to pick up #2. On our way we ran into our homeless friends. We asked where they were going to be so we could bring them some stuff.
I need to say that earlier this morning we drove around for 2 hours trying to find their campsite to bring them some supplies. We finally found what we thought was there spot and left a bag along with a thank you for sharing with us the other night. Well upon  bumping into them , we learned that it wasn't their site-- So I arranged a spot to meet them. We went and put together a few more bags and dropped them off! It made my kids realize somewhat how fortunate they are. I know they're young, but I hope they get it!

Another night at the park

Tonight we went to feed the ducks across the way at another section of the park. They were playing a movie outside at the art museum, so neat. We had the opportunity to meet a homeless couple. #3 ran out of bread for the ducks and they were walking by and offered him some. So nice! So I didn't know they were homeless, they looked just as everyone else, so we started chatting. They were really amazing with their travels and stories.

Then we saw our first ever river rat! Ahhh... it was kind of freaky looking!

A couple came to the river with a metal chicken lawn ornament, and asked to borrow some bread to entice the real ducks around the metal one. Then they asked #3 to pretend to feed it while they took a picture. They stole their friends lawn ornament and were doing a photo tour of Huntsville with it. It was really funny!

We also visited #3's Three Red heads

And tried to catch the ducks

 And feed them without getting bit....again!

Then called it a night. This park is proving to be a huge source of entertainment on our visit to this town!

After Space Camp Graduation

After #1 graduated we retrieved him from his counselor

He was excited-- until we told him after lunch we planned on taking him to the art museum.

Just after he posed for a picture with #3 to make me happy!

But after lunch we had to walk to the museum, and feed the wild life.

And visit the three "red heads" as #3 has dubbed his feathered friends.

And visit Mama duck that's sitting on a broken egg.

Now it's become too late to visit the museum -- it's closed-- until tommorrow!

#1's Space Camp Graduation

#

Space camp graduation day is here! The week passed so quickly , but I was glad to pick up #1 and hear about his adventure. The morning ceremony started with an astronaut speaking and accepting the flag from the space ship that just landed. Which #1 was able to view. The camp woke the kids up to watch on a big screen the event. The news channels were there-- #1 was on the news-- in his PJ's because it was 4:30 in the AM.
#3 and I were at the hotel happy hour and while piling too many nachos on my plate, #3 yelled "Mom-- #1's on TV"!! I thought he was joking with me, until he described in detail what he saw, then later was confirmed by #1. How cool!!!Any way, then the ceremony proceeded with all the awards for the kids and their certificates.

#3 accepting his certificate.