Road trip to Aiken...Highs and Lows

On New Year's Day last year, we woke up on the airplane and started our new life in England.  It has been an interesting year full of adventures for us.  We missed our friends in Aiken, where we lived before moving to England.  On New Year's Day this year, we said our tearful goodbyes to family, and we made a road trip from St. Louis, Missouri to Aiken, South Carolina.  We broke up the 12 hour trip, and boy am I glad we did because it ended up being our most challenging road trip to date.

We rented a minivan which had so much storage space!  

We started the trip comfortable and happy.

Busch Stadium with the St. Louis Arch in the background

 Saying goodbye to the Arch as we cross over the Mississippi River into Illinois

Dylan still had a fever, and the poor boy was miserable.  Then the stomach bug hit us.  First Cora got sick, twice! That was lovely in her infant car seat.  Then, Amelia got sick.  I spent the first night in the hotel scrubbing car seats, blankies, and clothes in the tub.  We were anxious to see our friends in Aiken, and I was hopeful that the sickness would pass quickly so we could spend some time with friends over the next 3 days.  Long story short...Dylan's fever was off and on over the next 5 days, we ALL got the stomach bug (which was quick, thankfully) and Amelia started with the fever/flu as well.  I kept thinking the kids were over it, and then the aches and fever would return.  Thankfully, we got to meet up with some friends at the park and enjoy some fresh air when the kids were feeling a bit better.  I was blessed to stay healthy enough to spend time with some of the best friends a girl could pray for.  It was a MUCH needed girls' night out!  I wish we would've been able to spend more time with friends those 3 days, but I am thankful for the little time we did spend together.
 

Fun at the park with Megan, Charlie and Kyle

We didn't last long due to low energy, but it was fun while it lasted.

 Megan, Cora and Amelia

Cora loved all of the attention!

 

 Dinner at Moe's!  (Amelia didn't make it, but Dylan was there.)  

 

 

 Fun at the new library park with LOTS of friends!

Our favorite babysitter, Miss Stacey

 It was GREAT to see our friends!  The sunshine was nice as well!

 Dinner with friends...such a great night!  Too bad Eric didn't make it, and he came and got Amelia after 15 minutes because she was not well again.  I made her stop crying and smile for this picture with Megan and their matching shirts. :)  Abigail and Annaleigh were as sweet and cute as ever!
 

 Daly, Solomon, Dylan and Kyle

 

 

Kristi, Raquel, Caroline, Cora and Angie, Jill

Lorie Ann left before we took this picture.  She needed to get home to put up her feet!  Her sweet baby girl will be here soon!

A big thanks to Rich and Raquel for hosting a lovely evening!  A huge thanks to my friend Kristi, for risking getting sick to spend time with us those 3 days.  You know you have a good friend when, A: she gives you her Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag, B: she gives you her nursing bras and C: she spends time with you and your kids knowing they are sick, and she doesn't get mad when her daughter throws up the day after you leave.  Instead, she texts, "It was worth it."  I miss my dear friends!