Cami and Crew: Our Story and More: 2022...Next Up...DC, Charlotte and Florida

So I knew that Sam needed to head home after New York but I wanted to keep going. I was already on the East Coast and so I wanted to visit my family. After New York the kids and I headed down to DC...or I should say Virginia where my brother Tanner and his family live. Saturday the 25th we drove 6 hours and made it to their house. It was so fun to his wife Lisa and little girl Nora...

My brother's company was putting on a firework show at Mount Vernon that night. We decided to go. It was super awesome. We got to take a tour of the mansion and then the firework show was lights out. My kids are use the the little ones that you put in your street. These ones were huge; the kids were mesmerized.

Sunday was a nice simple day. We went to church and then we went to a museum. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC is temporarily closed but the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia is open and it was a perfect thing to go to on a Sunday afternoon. The museum tells the story of human flight via exhibits of actual aircraft and spacecraft and it was incredible to see some of these up close, many of which were so much bigger then I thought.

I wish I could say that is was all bells and roses; the kids got a little tired at the museum, I felt bad for my brother who took time out of his day to take us. We were able to talk about it and make it. I really thought it was cool; the space shuttle was huge...

We had such a fun two days with my brother, his wife and daughter. My kids were obsessed with their cousin Nora, who is an absolute cutie patotie and at such a fun age…we are so grateful we got to see their home and spend some time with them.

So a side note...way back when we were leaving Pennsylvania; we stopped at the Little League World Series Museum and then Sam asked if I would drive since he was tired. I said okay, he normally is the one who likes to drive on our trips. But it was fine...so we get to the hotel in New York and get all checked in and then decide to go to dinner with his parents. We invited them to come in our car. We got things all situated and Sam went to start the car and it wouldn't start. So his parents get their car and give us a jump. It didn't turn over right away but it then started and we went on our way. I needed an oil change too. I knew that I would need one on the trip but I thought I was going to do it later on. But I had been going on the date and not the mileage. So Friday morning while the family was back at the hotel I went and tried to find a place to do any oil change. The first place I went to was a 25 minute drive. I walked in and their system was down so they were not able to help me. I got back in the car and went back. I stopped at a place that was too busy and then another place said they could do it in an hour or two; I called the first place and thought I talked to someone at the was at the office and they said to come in. So I drove all the way back out and their system was still down. So I drove back and went to walgreens and took my time grabbing a few things I needed. I then went back to the third place and just waited in the car until he was ready. It was only an hour and he was able to get it done for me. So then on Saturday when we were driving to DC, the kids and I stopped at a gas station and got gas and went to the bathroom and came out and the car wouldn't start again. I didnt know what to do, we were not in a big town. I rummaged in the back for the jumper cables. I had to take a lot of stuff out of the back. While I was doing that, I said a prayer and before I got everything out, I went back and tried and it started. I was so grateful. So once we got to DC, I told my brother and we were able to find a mechanic shop to help us. Its crazy, in DC almost every gas station has a mechanic shop attached. So it was Saturday afternoon when we got there; they said even if they could diagnose what was wrong, they couldn't order parts until Monday. We left the car anyway and asked if they could at least take a look. They called us on Sunday and said they thought it could be the starter but they thought it might be the ignition switch. So Monday morning we had them order the parts and replace that. We were suppose to leave around 9 or 10 in the morning but did not leave until 3:30. We said bye and drove another 6 hours to my sister Lindsay's house in North Carolina. We got there at 11pm...it was late but we were glad to be there. My sister opened up a Soda Shop called Sips and Dips in Charlotte North Carolina. Its been doing good there. We were glad we got to stop by. This is a cute sign on the side of her building.

We spent a fun few days there. We went to the pool three times and played some pickle ball. Thursday we headed to the theme and water park near their home. Its called Carolina Harbor and Carowinds. It was a blast. The kids were brave and rode some big rides. Teddy and I hit up all the big roller coasters and we even got my niece Harper to ride one with us and she ended loving it. There were not huge lines and it was just the best. My phone actually died and I didn't get alot of pictures but we had a great day.

Cousins are the best!!!

Macy and my niece Elle had so much fun matching clothes and making up things to do.

Friday morning we left our Carolina family and headed to my parents in Florida...it was the longest day so far...what should have taken 9 or so hours took over 11...it was raining almost the whole drive and there were lots of accidents. My gps rerouted me numerous times. The main highway was closed at one point, so we took side roads and escaped being stuck on the road. We made it though. Saturday morning, the first thing my kids did was get on their swimsuits and hop in the lake.

Saturday night was the wedding reception of a family we knew and Sunday we went to church. I know alot of people in my parents ward but there are alot that I do not know. When we first moved to Florida we were part of the Saint Cloud Ward but we had church in Kissimmee. A couple of years after moving, we got a church building in our own town. And they created a new ward called Canoe Creek. I left on my mission from the Canoe Creek ward but my parents moved while I was gone and I came home to Saint Cloud. Since then, things have changed a ton. My parents are in the Narcoossee Ward but they havent been to their own ward consistently for over 10 years. They have been serving in the young single adults branch. So anyway, it was fun to see some familiar faces. My best friend Wende is in my parents ward. I was able to see her at the wedding reception and we had planned on meeting up again, but her husband tested positive for COVID that Sunday. Crazy!!!

We get to see each other once a year or so but we haven't had a picture in a while. I am glad we got one

So Monday was the 4th of July; it ended up being a really fun day. Some friends used my parents lake and backyard for a party. We then grilled up some burgers and just had a nice time. I have a cousin that actually just moved to Florida and she has kids my kids ages...they clicked and had a blast with them. I took kids out on the jetski and tube all afternoon; my happy place.

My friend Linnea stopped by for a quick visit. Its always a must when we come to town. Her boys are getting so big...and her oldest just got married. So crazy!!! Nice to catch up.

The days wet fast and we kept busy. Thursday we hit up Aquatica...Pheobe, Ragin and Teddy's friend Westin went with us. My mom had to leave for a work appointment after lunch, and we left a little while later. It was hard keeping track of 6 kids by myself; but we had a good time.

We were suppose to do Disney on Tuesday but we ended up going on Friday. Two fun days in a row. We went to Hollywood Studios today, we’ve only ever been to Magic Kingdom and it was fun to try something different. I remember going as a kid and loved it. We met up with my cousin and her kids and it was just a good day. I was really proud of the girls for going on some scary rides. We started out a tower of terror and Sally didnt like it but Teddy and Macy did. Then we went over to Rockin Roller Coaster, its like space mountain but upside down. It was actually comical getting her on it; she at first refused but then really wanted to do it. We are waiting for the ride to shoot on and she is screaming bloody murder...but then at the end, she thought it wasnt that bad. It was different than when I was a teenager, way more jerky. I like the big dips roller coasters not the short jerky ones.

So after lunch we went over to the toy story world where they have a mild roller coaster that is made after slinky dog. The roller coaster was actually fun, but we waited two and a half hours in line...you read that right...2.5 hours...it was brutal...I am glad that my mom and cousin were there but it was heckin long. Below is a picture of Sally just lying on the floor. She also screamed on this one too, but ended up liking it. I wish I had a video of the beginning of both of those rides.

After the slinky dog, some of us went back to Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster and the little girls did some other things. They had a good time.

We did not have enough time or patience to wait for the star wars rides but thats okay. We left in the afternoon and I was glad. Disney is not like it use to me. When I was a teenager, I went in the off season with friends who's parents worked there. We could go anytime; now they limit who and when you can go. I just remember never having to wait very long and do much more than you can now. Its always fun to go but its more annoying now. I am grateful for the family that was able to get us in.

On the way home from Disney it started to rain, another reason why I am glad we left when we did. But anyway, a huge rainbow formed and when we got home, it totally covered the whole lake. I had to get a picture with the girls...so cool

Sunday was my birthday; this is the second time in three years that I was in Florida for my birthday. We went to church and then had a nice meal with my family and my cousins family. I have so much to be grateful for.

So in the third week of July, my husband and I were headed to Europe. We were taking students from the high school and going for 10 days. At the beginning of the planning 2 years ago, my parents said they could help out for half the time but we would need to find more help. At the beginning of this year, they said they would be able to help us out the whole time. So the plan was for them to come to Idaho and watch the kids at home...but plans changed...we were suppose to leave on Monday or Tuesday the 11th or 12th to head home. At first my mother was going to drive with us and then it was going to be my dad...On Sunday, my parents called me into their bedroom and told me that they werent going be driving with me. I told them I could do it by myself but then they said I wasnt going to drive home as well. I was going to fly home and go on the trip and they were going to drive the kids home to Idaho. I was grateful for their sacrifice. I know it wasn't the easiest but they said the kids were pretty good.

I am not sure how to document the next part of the summer, with Sam and I on our own tip and the kids on theirs. I guess I'll just document the rest of their trip here and then do another post for Europe.

So the kids had a blast for another week and a half in Florida. They got to go to Disney again, this time to Epcot. The same family that got us in before went again. They have a disabled child and were able to get to the front of the lines. So so fun. My kids have been to three parks now, well have to go to Animal Kingdom next time.

They also went to Fun Spot...its always a must when you visit Florida.

They also went fishing ALOT. I wish I had all the pictures but I cant find them...here are a few

There is a family in my parents town who we have been friends with for a long time. The Olsen's are so awesome. She was Sally's primary teacher the two weeks we went to church and was so kind to her. When I was gone, they invited my kids over to fish and hang out. We love Lou and Cindy

They left Friday morning the 22nd of July, to start the trek back to Idaho. I got a text from my mom while we were in France. She said they they had made their first stop to go to the bathroom at a rest area and the car wouldn't start. I was freaking out. Sam told me that they would figure it out but I was still apprehensive. I prayed like crazy and I got a text that Macy had prayed too and the car started and they made it to their hotel. That first day was a long day but they made it to Oklahoma. They were staying at my sister in law Lisa's parents house in Tulsa. I had been excited to stop on my way home because she has always offered to let us stay...but my kids got to. They said that once they got there, the car wouldn't start again and this time it was dead. They were able to get it towed to a mechanic and they put in a new starter. I am so incredibly grateful that they were able to make it to Tulsa. So guess who was also there...Tanner, Lisa and Nora...Lisa was pregnant with twin boys and they were able to be there for her baby shower. They stayed there until Wednesday Morning.