20.5 HOURS...

20.5 Hours.  That's the total actual driving time from our home in Nebraska to Grandmas house in Calgary, Alberta.  It sounds awful but it really went pretty well. The kids did great.  We left on Wednesday evening about 5:30 and got into Sioux Falls Iowa around 8pm. 

We enjoyed a nice swim in the pool  and a good nights rest followed by a yummy breakfast of chocolate waffles.  Then we drove all day and got to Billings Montana at about 5 in the evening.  Seeing as it was July 4 and our dear dads birthday we checked into our hotel and then went looking for some fireworks.  We found the spot but then it began pouring rain.  So after trying to wait it out under a vendors canopy we decided the fireworks were not meant to be. 

Poor wonderful Kevin spent his birthday driving all day long and then didnt even get to enjoy his customary fireworks.  We sure appreciated his sacrifice.  But lest you feel to bad for him, I did make him his traditional birthday cake to enjoy with friends on the weekend before we left.

Now back to our journey.  The next day we drove from Billings to Calgary and happily arrived at our destination.  Along the way we entertained ourselves with various movies and books on tape.  Kevin and I listened the "How to Raise the Perfect Dog" and "Killing Lincoln."  The kids each used their own earphones to watch movies, play games, listen to books and thanks to the Dramamine there was also a fair bit of sleeping going on.  Now lets cross our fingers the return trip goes as well.