Utah Trip - Getting There and Back

So I've been a bit slack on blogging about my recent trip. I have several excuses, like crazy kids and warm sunny days and lots of work to get done around the house. But also it's hard to think of some way to make the posts interesting to anyone outside of who wasn't there. Because really - how exciting are other people's vacation photos?

Exactly.

That, am I'm feeling really lazy lately as far as blogging goes.

But, it must be done! The trip deserves to be immortalized through my blog and in subsequent blog books. Plus, certain grandparents would be very irked if I ignored it all.

So, slowly but surely, here goes:

This is a picture of the kiddos during our layover in Minneapolis during the trip out.

I have to say, my kids are really excellent travelers. There were no horrible tantrums, no unforgivable messes, no diaper explosions... what more could a mom ask for?

That said, here are "Maren's Rules for Traveling with the Savages a.k.a. Your Kids":

1. Pray. Lots. Because sometimes that's your only hope! (I prayed for an extra seat for Josh, no diaper explosions, and the patience of Job. Even silly prayers are answered!)
2. Always take two of each toy, because no one will want to share. For example: child A could have half a broken, freshly chewed, red crayon. To child B, this will seem the holy grail of toys; he MUST have it. Always have two of each toy.
3. Always take extra clothes for your kids in your carry-on bag. This will ensure that you will not need them. Trust me: if you don't have them, your child will decide to be messier than a pig in a fresh mud hole during the first 15 minutes of your journey.
4. It's okay to let your kids play with the barf bags. It's not like they've been used before. (Really, I don't know why it bugs me when they play with them. Let it go Maren, let it go.)
5. Turbulence makes little bladders very weak. Your child will always have to go potty during the worst of it. Ignore the evil looks from the flight attendants and just let him go!
6. Always have an emergency bribe. I am definitely not above bribery when it comes to traveling. My bribe of choice: M&M's. I needed them the last 30 minutes of the last flight home for Josh; I've never been so happy for a pack of M&M's in my life!