Last week we traveled west to spend a long weekend with Karl's extended family in Oklahoma. We had yet to make this journey with Cooper, and we were past due for a visit with his family. We first started seriously planning this trip several months ago. We knew it would be hard with a toddler who may or may not be potty trained and a very pregnant mama, but we also knew if we didn't go this summer, it would realistically be a couple years before we would be able to attempt it again. It is typically about an 11 hour drive. That's just a long time to be in the car! Cooper is finally at an age where he is a lot easier to travel with, can stay occupied in his car seat, and if he misses a nap, we can survive. In the past it has been a major event to go visit my grandmother 3 hours away. Traveling was a nightmare with him! However, since he is at a good age, we decided it was best if we took advantage of this summer before Jake joins our crew (hopefully he'll be a much easier traveler from the get-go though!). As I said, it is typically an 11 hour drive. Throw in a child who's been potty trained for two weeks and a 7 month pregnant woman, and it took a whopping 14 1/2 hours. Yes. A long time! My doctor had told us to stop every couple hours so I could stretch my legs, and Cooper usually needed a little time to run around by then too. We also ate all three meals on the road that day, so that took some extra time as well. Even though it was a long car trip, Cooper did not complain or get cranky a single time. He also did not have an accident the whole ride there, while we were there, or on the way home. I was so proud! He was a real champ! He was so excited the whole way there and could not wait to see his GG-Pa (short for Great-Grandpa). Karl and I were pretty excited about seeing him too!
Enjoying the view of the Mississippi River and snacking on his Papa's trail mix--his favorite snack of all!
I thought he would snooze off and on during the ride. He only napped about an hour the whole way there, so that made for a lot of movie watching, book reading, playing, and snacking! He's normally not a very good eater, but I learned on this trip he is an awesome car trip snacker! He ate more in the car than he typically does in 3 days!
Mississippi Rest Stop
Our favorite stop was definitely the Mississippi Rest Stop. It was beautiful and clean and everyone was very friendly. I was able to get some great pictures of Cooper too. He randomly started giving a thumbs up in some of the pictures, and he kept this up most of the trip too! As you can see, he was very happy to run around for a little while. This was also only about 2 1/2 hours into the car ride though!
I love these pictures of him in the tree at the rest stop. The scenery at this place was incredible!
Our journey continued, and I'd say this particular stop was the highlight of the ride there. We hit a lot of traffic and construction in Arkansas, and as time drug on, I felt like I had surely been taught wrong and that Arkansas was in fact the widest state in the country. I looked at the GPS at one point, and it said we still had 5 hours and 25 minutes left. I almost started crying! That didn't include bathroom breaks and dinner. My back was killing me, and I couldn't feel part of my left thigh any more. I was exhausted from constantly entertaining Cooper and really wanted him to take a nap...so I could take a nap. We toughed it out though, and about 7 hours later we arrived at Karl's grandfather's house. It was about 9:30 when we got there, and Cooper had just fallen asleep about 20 minutes before. He of course woke up as soon as we got there and was sooooooooo excited, so we let him run around and play for a little bit while we caught up with GG-Pa.
The next day we took it easy and played in GG-Pa's amazing garden and went to get lunch at Karl's favorite restaurant ever--Coney Island. They sell small hotdogs in steamed buns with chili and shredded cheese on top. I don't like hotdogs, but I would happily eat these things by the dozen if I could!
GG-Pa, Cooper, and Karl in front of the delicious Coney Island
After lunch, we headed home for a nice relaxing afternoon and got ready for some more family to come over for dinner. Karl's Uncle Gene brought over fried catfish and sides for dinner, and Karl's uncle, aunt, and cousin and his family came over too. His cousin and his wife have two little girls (one is older than Coop, one is younger), so that gave Cooper some playmates and gave his GG-Pa a little break! Up until then, Cooper had not left the poor man alone! He was beyond excited the entire time we were there and wanted to be with his GG-Pa nonstop!
Uncle Gene is in the white shirt, GG-Pa is in the striped shirt, and Karl's cousin's daughters Brielle (little one) and Blakelee (taller one) are the beautiful two little girls.
The next day was the day Cooper had been greatly anticipating with all his little heart! We were going to Karl's family's ranch for the day! Cooper knew there would be tractors, horses, and fishing, and this sweet boy could barely control his excitement! I have seen Cooper very, very excited about things before. I have never seen Cooper this excited!
Little Man with his fishing pole and chain saw...what more could a boy need?!
We were just about to the ranch when Cooper let us know he needed to use the bathroom. Karl pulled over and let him go on the side of the road (being a boy is so much easier than being a girl), and since we were almost there, we let Coop ride in the back of the truck with GG-Pa.
Immediately upon our arrival, Cooper was on the tractor! While he was content to just sit on the tractor and pretend, he was thrilled when GG-Pa took him for a ride...
Of course, Daddy had to take him for a ride too!
Karl's aunt and uncle fixed us a fantastic lunch, and we visited with them and Karl's cousin and her little boy for a little while. I had been nervous about going to the ranch because of the heat and bugs; however, God blessed us with a perfect day! The temperature stayed between 77-82 (depending on cloud cover), and there were no mosquitoes! And it was August...in Oklahoma!!! They've gotten a lot of rain like we have, and the grass was the most beautiful shade of green. Everything just looked beautiful! After lunch, we headed over to the pond to fish. This was Cooper's first time to fish, and Karl bought him a special Spiderman fishing rod the day before we left. Coop could not wait to use his "fifin' rod."
At this point, it was way past nap time, but we still had one order of business to finish...horseback riding. Karl's Uncle Don took Coop on a little bareback ride, and this ultimately was Cooper's favorite part of the day! He loved riding that horse! When Uncle Don asked him if wanted to go fast, my little daredevil of course said, "Yeah!" so Uncle Don let the horse trot a little, and the smile on my boy's face was from ear to ear!
After our sundaes, we loaded up and headed back to GG-Pa's house. Cooper and I both slept the whole way back! We were all so tired once we got back, we took showers, warmed up some leftovers for dinner, and sat down in the living room for a little more visiting. Karl turned on Cooper's favorite movie, Toy Story, and Cooper went and crawled in the chair was his GG-Pa to watch the movie. That was one of my favorite times of the trip. It melted my heart to see them sitting together like that. I know it takes a real special person for my son to be willing to sit still, and at that moment, I'm pretty sure GG-Pa was the most special person in the whole world to Cooper.
The next morning, we packed the car and said goodbye. We were all so glad we had made the trip. As Karl said, it's so special to see your child do the same things you did, at the same place, and with the same people. His favorite childhood memories are about Oklahoma and the ranch, and maybe some of Cooper's will be too.
p.s. It only took 11 1/2 hours to get home :)
Oh honey, I am so happy that you and Karl are sharing so many wonderful things with Cooper. He will remember because these adventures are engraved in the mind of a little boy. Hope to see him soon.
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