Tuesday, March 15

With the six hour difference from Michigan, we got a lot accomplished. We woke up at 6 a.m. for breakfast and hit the beach at the hotel shortly afterwards. It didn't take long before the boys were in the water. There were no other people in the ocean at this time. None!

We went back to the hotel where the boys got to be first in at the pool at exactly 9 a.m.  

Eventually Andy and I decided we needed to get our vacation on track and start making memories. We popped in the jeep and headed to Kailua Beach. 

Kailua Town and Pub for lunch. 

Travel day

Although, Andy and I worried about how well the boys would do on the long flight to Hawaii, our initial intake has been fine. The boys have flown before but each time serves up its own adventure.

When we announced the trip to the boys last month Vincenzo instinctively said, "I'm not taking a plane to an island surrounded by sharks with volcanos." That was a bit unexpected coming from a 2nd grader. Thank goodness his nerves are more calm now.

First stop is a short layover in L.A. 

Rocco on the ice at Yost Ice Arena

Check out #2 Yellow... that's my Rocco!!! What a stud at only 6 years old.

Day 11 of our spring break (Saturday)

Andy was itching to get home. Driving straight through to prepare for the work & school week ahead. Our spring break '15 vacation has officially come to an end. 

We arrived home before noon. 

Our next family trip is in the works for later this fall.

Day 10 of our spring break (Friday)

Vincenzo woke up around 2 a.m. screaming with a horrible headache and a high tempeture. It was hard to get him to calm down. By the morning he woke up as if nothing bothered him overnight. 

Andy let the boys have a morning swim knowing that today we'll be on the road for 12 hours. Vacation is closing in. 

We left Colorado and by midnight we were in Iowa. 

Day 9 of our spring break (Thursday)

This trip is truly jam-packed. It truly is an investment into our boys' childhood memories. Andy has been doing all of the driving (except those 10 minutes the first night) and heavy loading. I'm certain he will crash hard when we return home in a few days. 

First stop: Bryce Canyon National Park

We've been collecting stamps in our National Park passbook. So far we've hit 5 national parks during this trip. (Actually 6 but we never went to the visitors center to get our stamp.)

The boys climbed a loose rocks mountain. It wasn't easy going up or down. 

Stop #2: Arches National Park in Utah. 

Just like some of some of our other favorite national parks this one included lots of climbing. 

The boys finished the day with dune climbing. We stayed until after the sunset. 

Day 8 of our spring break (Wednesday)

First stop : Zion National Park in southwest Utah  

The rock formation made climbing dangerous yet it didn't stop the boys from taking on the challenge. This is one of the few climbs that going down is more difficult than going up. As a matter of fact, Rocco scooted down so much he burned a hole in his pant's rear. 

We took a short 1/2 mile hike to the Weeping Rock. 

Quote of the day: "These shoes are done. They are starting to get holes," said Giuseppe, age 11. 

Rocco, age 5, replies, "Giuseppe, you can wear mine."

Day 7 of our spring break (Tuesday)

Vincenzo woke up to $2 from the Tooth Fairy. Again, it's a mystery as to how she located him in Flagstaff, AZ. 

One thing I know for sure, this trip is not about relaxing. Instead it is about adventure, experiences and family time. I suppose by definition that's exactly what a road trip should be. Andy took months to plan this trip with specific details to capture all the excitement of the west. 

First stop: Grand Canyon. 

It's true, all the pictures you've seen and all the shows you've seen and all the books you've read about the Grand Canyon simply don't capture it; not even 1/2 of its magnitude. 

Andy took us for a two mile hike (or twenty) down the canyon. Let's just say Andy is lucky to be alive because as we tackle the hike back up the boys and I wanted to toss him over the edge for putting us through such misery. 

By 9 pm the boys and Andy were beat. Early bedtime for them. Halfway point in our trip means I get to do laundry in the hotel. 

Day 6 of our spring break (Monday)

We started our morning with a good night's rest in Farmington, NM. We have been very active each day with minimal downtime. After the adventures of the day we try to let the kids swim at the hotel pool each day. 

First stop: Petrified Forest National Park in Chambers, AZ. 

This car was abandoned in the 30s when Route 66 carved through the Petrified Forest. 

Happenings follow us. Vincenzo lost a tooth on the car ride to our hotel. 

Quote of the day:

'You have to expect that... her name is Emerald. No one names their kid after a mineral. That's like naming you kid Rock.' - Giuseppe 

'Hey, your brother's name is Rock' -Sonia 

Day 5 of our spring break (Easter)

We woke up Easter morning to baskets filled with candy & treats and Easter eggs scattered throughout our hotel suite. We still can't figure out how the Easter bunny found us in Durango, Colorado. 

First stop: Mesa Verde National Park. It was a long and windy road to the top of the mountain to see the Spruce Tree House cliff dwellings that were occupied between around AD 1200 by the Pueblo people of the Southwest. 

Next stop was to the Four Corners Monument. We are glad we made the stop simply to have made it, but it was not impressive. We spend approximately 10 minutes there & $5 per person. 

Quote of the day: 'If Vincenzo or Giuseppe get chocolate for Easter I will go ahead and eat it for them because I love chocolate.' - Rocco

Day 4 of our spring break (Saturday)

We arrived in Durango, CO. We did our most challenging hike to date.  Bodo State Wildlife Area. It was not a well traveled hike. There was a significant amount of rock climbing as well as steep inclines.

After our climb we had dinner at Craven's Brewing Co., walked downtown and stopped for ice cream on our leisurely stroll. 

Quote of the day: 'What the frick are you smokin' - Vincenzo 

Day 3 of our spring break (Friday)

We woke up to a beautiful mountain view in Colorado Springs. Our first stop was to Cheneyee mountain. It was both scary and adventurous. The hike was slippery because of the recent snow. We held hands going up and held hands going down to keep all of us safe. We got to the top of the mountain to see a beautiful waterfall. 

Our next stop was at the 'Garden of the gods.' This was an amazing and beautiful  place. The boys had no fear and climbed and climbed until Andy and I had to tell them it was very dangerous or illegal to go any further. It was hard to leave the place because the boys continue to want to climb and resisted the leave. 

Our next stop was to one of the oldest ghost towns still remaining in its original form in Colorado. After driving into what seem like people's backyards for many miles we ended up at St. Elmo's ghost town. Unfortunately the area wasn't open for tourist activity until May. Our experience was limited to a little walking and peeking. 

Day 2 of our spring break (Thursday)

After our Suburban got repaired we took to the road around 1 p.m. Andy drove for about 11 hours (we changed one time zone) and arrives at the hotel after 11 p.m. We stayed the night in Colorado Springs, CO. The drive fluctuated in different types of weather. We saw a beautiful lightening show, followed by a high winds, nasty rain, heavy snow, sleet and fog. During, which we didn't not see much life or a gas station for at least 170 miles. 

Day 1 of our spring break (Wednesday)

We left around 3 pm. Wednesday, April 1. The plan was to drive through the night and stop for an hour or two snooze if needed to our first destination in Colorado Springs. 

The drive was smooth and everything was going as expected. 

A little about 7 hours into our trip Andy needed me to drive for a few hours. This was at 10 pm local time. (I know this because the gas station prompty closed at 10 pm and as soon as we filled up the lights turned off.)

I started driving and noticed the brights were weak and soon after that the 'battery not charging' light turn on. 10 minutes later the car broke down. I coasted to a rest area. 

Andy called AAA. A tow truck arrived at 12:30. Not only did he tow the Suburban but also loaded the five of us with him. Brooklyn, Iowa is a very small town. Not many option for lodging or car repair. We stayed at Pleasant Inn. 

In the morning we got a call from the car repair shop. The alternator needed fixed and would be done by noon. A small set back. 

The bottom line: the people in the Brooklyn, Iowa area are awesome!! 

Quick trip to Chicago

The boys enjoy camping

Disney 2010

Mini-vacation to Chicago

Take a few minutes out of your life to enjoy this video.

We had a great time. The boys started their fun with an indoor pool at the hotel. For whatever reason, swimming in an "indoor" pool is so much cooler than swimming outdoors. The boys had a blast.

Then we went to a Chicago-style pizzeria. Can't say we had a good time. The boys were tired and didn't like the food. The place was tight and didn't accomodate our stroller and children well.

The museum was great. It held everyone's attention. However, the pirate exhibit left something to be desired. It was interesting, yet it seemed with the extra we had to pay it would have been better to have a little more to view or pay less.