Great Falls Montana

Today we loaded up the van and headed out for the first leg of our road trip. We were finally packed and ready around 10am. The kids asked for snacks and started fighting just ten minutes into our trip. It made me laugh (and cry inside a little). With Camilla at FSY this week, Mike stayed back to finish up work and the two of them will catch a flight on Saturday and we will meet up with them en route to Nauvoo. I am incredibly grateful for my Dad sacrificing his time and energy to accompany us on our four day journey. It would have been extremely difficult for me to stay awake for the long days ahead with six kids in tow all on my own. 

Our first pit stop was just over two hours in where we found a park to stretch our legs and have the lunch that I had packed in the cooler. 

Once everyone was full of sandwiches and had burned enough energy, we loaded up again in hopes of some littles napping for the next long stretch to Lethbridge. Dad drove while I doled out snacks and thankfully a few of the littles did indeed nap.

When we passed through Lethbridge a few of the kids woke and admired the train bridge and change in scenery that Southern Alberta has to offer. We pulled into a gas station for a potty break and then I drove again to coutts and through Montana to our first hotel. 

The border guard asked a lot of questions and had the kids answer when their name was called. He asked where their dad was and if we all lived in the same house. And then he pointed at Grampa in the passengers seat and said, "And who's this guy?" They all laughed, "That's our Grampa!" And with that, we were on our way!

When we arrived in Great Falls, we checked into our hotel and then went in search of food. The first restaurant had an hour wait, and the kids were starved. Boston Pizza turned us away due to not enough seating. So we settled on the Wendy's closer to our hotel. Everyone loves Wendy's, especially the spicy chicken burgers or Junior bacon cheeseburgers. After the chaos of ordering for eight, we grabbed a table to relax and enjoy the meal. Everyone was in good spirits after being in a car for over eight hours and I was so grateful for their smiles and willingness to get along!