Family Roadtrip! 4,400+ miles with 4 kids 🌎

Are we crazy? You betcha! 😉

We embarked upon a journey halfway across our country with everything we needed packed onto or inside of our 1995 Suburban (the ultimate big family vehicle.. it seats 9!).

What. An. Adventure!!

With our four children- Kylie (8), Ayla (5), Giana (3), & Theo (4 months). I know what you’re thinking… the dream vacation!! 🤣 …Exactly!!

Honestly though, best decision ever!

Clearly we knew what we were getting ourselves into, but our furthest destination was Minnesota and the price of flying seemed like a waste. We would have needed to purchase 5 plane tickets ($1,500+), a rental car ($150+), and hotels for 3+ nights ($300+). Knowing that only a three day trip would cost our family about $2000+, we decided to spend that money in a more adventurous and memorable way. ROADTRIP!!!

Do you know how many times we had to stop so a child could go to the bathroom?!? …I don’t, but I’m sure you can imagine! We were prepared for that of course. That’s why we packed a small “Elmo training toilet” for those side of the road stops when no rest areas were near (+toilet paper, garbage bag, & cleaner).

We knew that we would need to stop regularly in order to keep them, and us, from going stir crazy so that is exactly what we did!

Get ready.. Here is how it all began-

On a Tuesday evening we buckled up the kids and went over our final checklist. Yes, a real written list.. because I prefer using a pen and paper to check off each item. ✔ I can only handle so much technology.

Our list included items like-

• Backpack for each of us
• Gas can
• Hiking backpacks with water pouches (5)
• Pillows (5)
• Blankets (6)
• Etch-a-sketch
• Cooler
• Towels (for any random swimming stops) (3)
• Portable baby swing
• Pads with downloaded Netflix movies for all the “no service” areas we planned to drive through.

We had also purchased a new AAA membership (just in case & totally worth the peace of mind)!

With everything on our list checked, we drove away from home, prayed out loud for God to protect us, and began our adventure!

First stop, we made it 2 hours.. (we planned to stop every 2 hours to feed the baby- perfect!) So, while I fed our little lad, daddy (Nikko) played on a huge playground in the middle of The Dalles, Oregon with the little ladies (minus Giana who was already asleep). The sun was setting, but luckily the area was well lit by the neighboring community swimming pool.

Once back on the road, we stopped once more for a bathroom break and then I drove through the night while they slept. We knew this could only be done on the first night so I covered ground and got us to the border of Montana, and slept for a few hours in Wallace, Idaho.

When we woke, to our surprise there was public restrooms and a neat pathway to walk along that showed us the mining history of the town. I love history so this was an awesome way to start the first full day of our trip! We saw what a mine entrance looked like and the drills used to break the rock. Each kid had their chance to try pulling the drill bit from a rock..😋 Plus, we enjoyed a little chipmunk in the parking lot that was scavenging for food (doing a great job filling his cheeks too)!

Back on the road and feeling hungry, we crossed the border into Montana and had breakfast at our favorite store at exit 16.. The 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar (formally known as the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar from my childhood). We filled our bellies and then shopped for something fun. Theo was offered a stroller to make shopping easier and he loved it!

We had been searching for a game to play on the road and struck gold when we found “<a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="http://
“>Auto Bingo“… we purchased our game boards, took a family selfie, and headed to our next stop.

Our swimming spot for the last 3 trips to Montana.. we call it “Our Spot”.. made for the perfect amount of fun! Plus it gave the girls a chance to use the Elmo Potty chair again before packing up. 😁

Those first few stops made for a nice long drive before we needed to stop again. Naps were taken, and the sunshine paired with the windows down made it quite the enjoyable time.

Next stop, Anaconda, Montana for lunch! Our destination was O’bella Restaurant and they did not disappoint. The owners are our long time family friends so we really wanted to experience their new business venture.

Drawing on the table mat was definitely a bonus for all of us! It was so delicious, and we had so much food that we were able to add to our cooler for snacks while on the road. Mmm!

We drove for quite a few hours before deciding to plan for a night of sleep in a hotel so we could all feel well rested. We reserved the last available room at Comfort Inn in Livingston, Montana. They offered a continental breakfast and a large indoor swimming pool and hot tub. We enjoyed both before checkout of course!

Needing to buy some more snacks, we drove to Billings and made what felt like a regular stop for groceries. Keeping life fairly consistent makes life away from home easier to adjust to for the kids. Also, we all love Costco… for the samples of course!! After checking out, we ordered some Costco hot food and ate it in the parking lot while Theo ate too. With full bellies, we buckled back in and took off for the leg of the trip that was not so familiar to us. East of Billings…

We played some Auto Bingo… all of us shouting random things we see… “stop sign!” “Horse!” “S curve!” “Church” “train!”… basically THE BEST GAME for paying attention to the scenery and enjoying unfamiliar territory.

Once the baby started to cry, we needed to find a place to stop, but we were now in an area we didn’t really know. We followed some signs towards a state park through Glendive, Montana. Before we reached the park entrance we passed a giant playground and splash park that were completely empty!! It was over 90 degrees outside so clearly we were shocked. A splash park to ourselves?! Yes please! Here we are enjoying that park…

Fun right?! I know.. we loved it! Thank you Glendive for such a great surprise! We then played on the playground, took some not so pretty family selfies, and while I fed the baby, a large extended family showed up and played “Lava Monsters” with Nikko and the girls.

We were sorry to leave, but grateful for such a great find and wonderful experience!

We set off yet again and were able to see The Badlands before the sunset.

What a day! Now for the night.. we drove as far as possible before needing to find another place to sleep. Our destination for the night- Bismark, North Dakota. We were extremely lucky to get the last room available (again!). We checked in at Midnight so that last room was the handicapped room at Mainstay Suites.

It was Friday morning, and after a delicious continental breakfast, and Giana making a little girlfriend named “Joey”(her cousin’s name and her go-to name for her babies), we made our way to the pools. Yes, pools. And not just pools, but waterslides too!! I didn’t get pictures of the 2 huge slides(the videos are on our gopro), but here is one from the little kiddie slide! Giana loooved it so much and she is normally a big scaredy cat. 🙀

So far, this trip was perfect and we weren’t even halfway through.

Next stop was over the Minnesota border, and their rest area had a playground… great idea Minnesota!! Thank you for thinking of what the kids need. I wish more places would think about making this a regular thing. I mean.. how many people were kids at one point? Lol Too many people grow up and forget.. giving them space to have fun, and be little people, benefits us all.

Ok, here we go… the halfway point on our trip.. the furthest destination! Coon Rapids, Minnesota for my Family Reunion!! ❤ So many cousins, and even a new auntie none of us ever knew about! (adopted at birth) She shares a biological father with my dad, uncles, and aunties. What an amazing gift to meet her! We are blessed!

We spent three days enjoying life at my Gramma’s house and loving our family time. Spending time with my cousins always fills me with so much happiness, especially after the loss of one of my dearest cousins, Bronson. He was there with all of us though. ❤

We celebrated my Gramma’s 79th birthday a few days early before we all split ways again. Isn’t she cute?! I just love her!

Before leaving Minnesota we made sure to head to Minneapolis and enjoy the craziness that is Mall of America.

We flattened some pennies and the girls got new backpacks.. Kylie will be going into 3rd grade and Ayla is starting Kindergarten. We needed to purchase backpacks anyway, perfect!

After a long walk around, and some food, we made our way back to the suburban. Goodbye giant mall!

Now our journey home had begun! We knew we were going to have fun seeing new sites, and holy moly.. we sure did! First stop for the night, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Can you believe it?.. we found another amazing place, Best Western Plus.. with an indoor waterpark and an outdoor pool!

Could the next day have started any better? Probably not!

After lots of time in the water, we packed up, checked out, and hit the road.

Along the way we enjoyed a small town and their cute park all to ourselves…Kennebec, South Dakota. Their slogan is ‘where the heck is Kennebec?’ Ha! Now we know!

So, What is there to see in South Dakota??

Well, a town straight from the 1880’s is what… and it’s so cool!!

We paid to walk through the whole thing, with a working saloon to beat the heat. The bartender gave each girl a sheriff’s badge sticker and we ordered ice cream and drinks while enjoying the live music being played on the antique piano!

One of my favorite things was seeing the same doors and doorknobs as we have in our house. (Ours was built in 1912). Felt just like home. 😉

As if the day couldn’t be filled with anymore fun, and history, we made it to Mount Rushmore!! (I ♡ Theodore Roosevelt- my favorite President!)

Here we are soaking up the scene. We ate Panera under the monument and then saw some mountain goats up close, a mama and baby!

To end the night, we camped in Custer, South Dakota at Beaver Lake Campground. We played on their playset, the girls rode some free bikes, and in the morning we swam in the pool.

After packing up, we drove through Wyoming and made a detour to see Devil’s Tower.

We drove back into Billings, Montana to stay a night at my cousin Jessica’s house. More time with the people I don’t see enough!

The next morning we said our goodbyes and went straight towards Yellowstone National Park! If you haven’t been, you’re missing out on some gorgeous sites! The road we chose takes you to what is named “the top of the world” .. and boy is it a spectacular view!

From the top we dropped down into the park where we saw hundreds of Bison, an elk, ducklings, and lots of geisers..including Old Faithful as our last stop.

We only planned on driving through this time, but we love it there so we will be back again to explore in the future.

We left the park and stayed in Rexburg, Idaho. The only hotel we stayed at and didn’t use their pool because we had other plans. Rexburg Rapids! That’s right… a waterpark! We love the water!!!

I wish there were more places like this where we live. They allow coolers inside, umbrellas with a grassy area, and the best part… the lazy river!! All of us spent most of our time on the river! What a blast!

Worn out yet again and ready for naps, the girls slept and we made our way to Baker City, Oregon. A cheap and clean stay at Super 8 then back on the road in the morning.

Our plan… to stop in LaGrande, Oregon… home of Eastern Oregon University, our alma mater. After a short drive through town and some reminiscing, we played at the town park cause we know it’s a good one! Or a grande one. 😊

We played, dipped our toes in the river, the girls tried catching some fish with their hands, we ran through a sprinkler, picked up some trash that others left behind, and got back in the suburban for the last day of driving.

Finally.. our last stop before home. Arlington, Oregon!

One of my favorite small towns with an awesome town center along the Columbia River. It was once a large town but when the damn was built nearby, the town was overrun with the river. What was once the town is now a swimming area with a platform to jump from, a sandy beach, and a big fountain in the middle.

It just so happens that there was a Car Show going on when we stopped. Music playing and lots of people enjoying a sunny Saturday in the Northwest. 🌞

More than 4,400 miles, 8 states, a National park, and tons of swimming.. we arrived at home.

Safe!

We didn’t even need to use our AAA!

God looked after us and gave us so many memories that I hope my children will cherish.. I know I already do.

Don’t be afraid to take a roadtrip with kids because it seems like a lot, that’s what makes it sooo worth it!

Just Say Hello to adventure! 🌎❤

May God continue to bless us all!

–Mama Katie

Verse of the day-
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” -Psalm 27:1

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