Geo: 45.0319, -110.705Weather: 90 in Billings, 80s into Livingston, 70s into Gardiner, MT Location: Billings to Gardiner Highlights: Boys go to movie and Biddy and I snuggle at hotel, Livingston, MT and FREAKIN Yellowstone! Lowlights: A little rain in Gardiner (ended up not bad) #of Swearwords: Cant remember People we met: Waitress in Livingston, MT who told us of the famous people who live there like Peter Fonda, Arnold S, Lois Lane lady, John Mayer who, by the way, played at the local outdoor concert in the park for free the night before. How great would that be. She also waited on Michael Keaton. Activities: Movie, Snuggles, Mammoth Hotel: Cowboy Cabins (awesome!) Helpful hint: Definitely drive through Livingston (neat town and nice people) Stay in Gardiner because its small and quaint but has modern necessities right ... read more

Geo: 46.9167, -103.523Weather: 70, off and on light rain on the roadLocation: Fargo to Medor, NDHighlights: Lowlights: My salad #of Swearwords: 1 (not at anyone)People we met: Activities: Bismarck State Capital, Medora Musical, Pitchfork Steak FondueHotel: Americinn MedoraHelpful hint: Order Medora Musical tickets ahead of time.Restaurants: Wood House "World's Best Hamburgers."Today we have spent the day crossing the prairies of the Mid-West. I as the pilot guiding us across our beautiful countryl...including Amber waves of grain. I hated that song in elementary school music class. All eyes on me. Ugh. We traveled from Fargo to Bismarck, the state capital, for lunch. About 3 hours. We buzzed by the capital building. They got jipped. The most boooring building. You could pass it and never know that is what it was. We stopped for lunch at Wood House ... read more

Geo: 44.9785, -93.2653Weather: 75 sunny AM, 70 and thunderstorms PM Location: Wisconsin Dells to Minneapolis Highlights: Only in my hair Lowlights: Kids bickering and final mommy meltdown, thunderstorms #of Swearwords: 75...2 driving through rain, the rest during meltdown People we met: Jessie (waitress who quick her 9 to 5 job to go back to school and travel. She wants to live for happiness not money. Activities: Noah's Ark and Chula Vista Waterparks Hotel: Springhill Marriott (Just outside of downtown, two queens and pullout sofa, free breakfast and walking distance to a nice outdoor mall with lots of restaurants. Helpful hint: Stay at a hotel that offers free tickets to indoor and outdoor waterparks so if it starts thunderstorming and outdoors close, you have a back up. Restaurants: Crave in St. Louis Park (delish) , MN, Hearty ... read more

Geo: 41.8861, -87.6364Weather: 78*Location: ChicagoHighlights: No tire issues, funny monkeysLowlights: Some tired feet grumpies#of Swearwords: 0People we met: Angel (waiter), Bill and Lucy HoganActivities: Sheds Aquarium, LIncoln Park Zoo, Habatchi dinner with Hogans, walk, walk, walkHotel: Courtyard Marriott Downtown/RiverFunnies: Sake ShootersHelpful hint: Buy Aquarium tickets online ahead of time. Use ParkWhiz online to find cheap parking and reserve a spot.Restaurants: Chango Loco (navy pier), Todoroki Japanese (Evanston) Wow, what a day! One thing the Windy City offers (or any big city for that matter) is walking, walking and more walking and some whining (and I don't mean the wining I'm hoping for.) And a bleeding wallet. Food cost money. Parking cost money. Attractions cost money. Kids cost money. Money cost money (literal... read more

Geo: 42.5459, -83.21554000 miles in a car with three kids may seem daunting but with a little planning and prepping, it can be a fun trip. I've spent the last week finalizing and confirming hotels and activities. 11 hotels/accommodations on the itinerary. I've confirmed them, checked their parking situation and whether they have breakfast in the morning. Saves money and time trying to find a restaurant in a strange city. I bring cereal and rice milk (no refrigeration) if we need a quick breakfast. Eating out can become monotonous. 16 days living out of a suitcase sounds overwhelming. it doesn't have to be. We choose to live out of drawers in our car. No suitcases. I've started packing rubbermaid drawers with outfits for the everyone. I roll outfits together for easy grabbing. You don't need 16 ... read more