Christmas, Part Three (Road Trip!)

So, after we opened presents, played with Santa's gifts and had one more final gathering to attend in Massachusetts, we hit the road for Kentucky on Sunday evening. Somehow we thought we could drive six hours or so after all the Christmas-ing we'd been participating in but that was just foolish! But, even though we made the trip over three days, rather than the usual two, the road trip was still fun.

On Sunday night we got as far as New Jersey (also known as ONLY three and a half hours from home!). Nothing excites the kids more than a free hotel breakfast. They are big fans of using the Hampton Inn waffle iron. It's just unfortunate that they don't really like to EAT the waffle after they make it!



After breakfast, we hit the pool for a little while.



Back on the road, we took an afternoon cookie break in Maryland at the Fort Frederick State Park.



The fort is becoming one of our favorite places to stretch our legs.






On Monday night, we made it to Hurricane, West Virginia where we stopped for the night. Luckily, we only had a three or four more hours to drive on Christmas Eve as the driving was a little scary. We saw at least half a dozen accidents near the Kentucky-West Virginia border. Luckily, the roads got much better once we got a little ways into Kentucky.



On Christmas Eve we made it to Grandma's house in the early afternoon. Plenty of time to threaten the kids to within an inch of their lives about being quiet in church. They actually did really well. Audrey even surprised everyone by heading up to the altar (solo!) when Father Troy called all the kids up to visit the Nativity scene.

After Mass and dinner, we had a quiet Christmas Eve evening getting schooled by Grandfather in eight-ball.



By Christmas morning, everybody had gotten to Grandma's house.
Aunt Katie...



...Uncle Patrick...



...and Uncle Charlie arrived his new fiancee. We're so thrilled that Angie said yes!



After breakfast, it was time to open Christmas presents.



I was just grateful that Patrick has stopped giving the kids presents the size of small ponies.



Maddy's new Wildcat had was an immediate hit....



...she went right outside to test it out.



And then later, to the hollow.



Later on in the day, lots of people came over for Christmas dinner, including lots of Audrey's "friends". She made sure to introduce all of them to Sister J.A.



Between trips down to the Sherwood to cook the prime rib, Maddy spent some time honing her Jedi skills. Aunt Heather's teaching style was a little more laid back...



...especially when compared to uncle Patrick's combative technique.



On the day after Christmas we decided to get out of the house and check out the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville. Audrey was thrilled to have a backseat buddy.



The Science Center was awesome, the kids had such a great time.



First, we watched an IMAX movie about fixing the Hubble Telescope. The kids were fascinated. When Audrey saw the astronauts suiting up in orange jumpsuits, she turned around and announced that SHE was going to be an astronaut. I'd like to hope this is evidence of her interest in science, but I suspect she just really likes orange.

Still, she did enjoy exploring space with Aunt Heather.



Audrey was a little perplexed by some of the exhibits. This is a phone? How do I watch YouTube videos on this thing?



The tubes exhibit was really popular. The kids could shove a scarf in the tube and watch it shoot out the other end. I just have to make sure they don't try this at home with the toilet!



The full-scale building exhibit could have kept Bob occupied for hours. Maddy too.



After we worked up an appetite, we had the brilliant idea that The Old Spaghetti Factory would the the perfect place to take Maddy (aka "picky pants" Carroll) for lunch, being the strict noodle-tarian that she she. However, she was not impressed with their buttery noodles covered in some strange cheese. Lesson learned.

At least she could amuse herself by photo-bombing her own selfie.



The next day, we hosted my UK architecture friends for lunch.



Surely we aren't getting older...



...even if all the kids are growing like weeds.



On Saturday, we went out to Great-Grandmother's house for the Johnson Christmas gathering. It was definitely bittersweet this year. It was comforting that having the family together felt so familiar and fun, though the absence of Grandmother was felt throughout the house. Still, it was a nice day.

Maddy made some new friends this year.





And Grandmother would have been pleased with all the stealing that occurred during the gift exchange.



Luckily it was warm enough to play outside and swing.



And watching the Wildcats kick Louisville's butt is always exciting.



On our last day in Kentucky, we met my friend Rachel in Campbellsville. We had the kind of lunch we became accustomed to in college (though to be more historically accurate we should have met at an Arby's). Keeping it classy, as always! Speaking of classy, (I'm not naming names) but someone may or may not have just pooped in their pull-up right before this photo was taken.



That evening we squeezed in one last game of pool.



On Monday morning we hit the road bright and early. We made it to West Virginia by lunchtime and stopped for a little "chicken on the bone".



That night we spent the night in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where we found the Holy Grail of interstate exits...one with a Hampton Inn AND an Olive Garden. Holy cow!

On New Year's Eve we had five and a half hours left to drive and when we all fell asleep (me included) Bob made a run for it and got us home in one long driving stretch!



It was a great trip!