We are back. We had a good time even though we spent more time in the car than we did in Colonial Williamsburg! We'd planned on getting up this morning, eating the free hotel breakfast, and then heading to see the sites. We got down the main part of town around 9:30 and it was COLD. We didn't think that even though the high was supposed to be 44 - that wouldn't be until later in the day. I'll just blame it on chronic sleep deprevation. :) The boys were toasty warm (and napped) in their fleece, blankets, and shrink-wrap - WE were cold. Plus, we really couldn't go in and out of buildings with the stroller and taking them in and out of the stroller wasn't an option. We decided that since it is so close, we'll go back when we can put the boys in the new backpacks we bought. We can't wait for it to come! We really hope the boys like 'em.

Things we learned from our vacation (our first that didn't involve visiting grandparents):

1) Bring your own pack and play. The crib they gave us might have been from 1943. It was an old metal contraption that I am sure didn't meet any safety regulations. Grayson got the honors of trying it out first. Leanne got him to sleep and put him down, but as soon as he moved in the crib and tried to get comfortable, the whole thing rattled and shook and woke him up. Ugh. I figured how to stuff blankets between the crib and the bed and wall so that it didn't rattle everytime he moved. He lasted until about 10:30 when he got in bed with us. Carter woke up around 2 (I think) and in my sleepiness I tried to put him down in it once he was back asleep(since it was 2 inches from my head) but the poor kid woke up everytime he touched one of the bars since it still rattled. Needless to say, he too, joined us in bed. Note: Not even a King sized bed is designed to accommodate 2 adults and 2 squirmy infants.

2) Having a suite is essential. We were able to put the boys to sleep in the bedroom and still hang out in the living room for another 3 hours. We've decided that it is the only way to travel with infants.

3)You have to bring a hell of a lot of stuff once you have kids. If it had been the two of us, we'd of had one small suitcase (that wouldn't even have been full.) But instead, we had the suitcase, 2 backpacks, a diaper bag, a cooler with food, a pack and play, a breast pump, and a double jogging stroller. The van was packed.

4) "Indoor pool" doesn't equal "warm pool." We were so excited that the hotel had a pool where we could take them for their swim (nevermind we pay $$ for a gym membership with a huge family pool that we could take them to anytime we wanted.) We even bought them swim diapers for the adventure. But when we stuck our head in the pool area, it was cold. Not chilly. Cold. And the little girl who was gamely swimming said the pool was cold. Not really how we wanted to introduce the pool to them. We passed. Maybe we'll take them to the gym sometime soon.

5) Even a 29 hour vacation can mess with a kids schedule. These kids love to sleep in the car. Love it. Often we can barely get our of neighborhood before they are passed out. And we arranged our travel to coincide with their nap times - and they did sleep. But since we've been home, they have been a couple of crankpots. Carter was asleep at 6:15pm and Grayson is so sleepy he can't see straight but is fighting sleep. Leanne is currently trying to sing him to sleep and is obviously running out of songs since she just sang "Jesus Loves Me." Ha ha ha.

All and all our first foray into vacations with kids was good. We had a great time seeing Wendi and meeting Logan and spending the evening with Gus and Kiel (even though we had to get Cracker Barrel take out and eat in our room!) We're already planning our next long weekend. Where do you think we should go???