Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia

We headed out to West Virginia early Friday afternoon. We scored Uncle Joe as a passenger and he sat between the two kiddos and took control of DVD operations for the trip out. It's always a relief to have another person to help out with the kids, especially one that they love! Gotta love DVD-players, I don't know how parents survived without them. Older kids can play your traditional car trip games, but 2 and 5 year olds have zero attention span and any efforts at games fail quickly. The viewing schedule was as follows: Snow Buddies, Bedtime Stories, and Bolt. Fortunately for Joe, he has not been forced to endure these a thousand times already, so maybe he got some enjoyment.

Uncle Joe keeping them laughing

We arrived in WV in a non-record time of just over EIGHT hours after an hour and 45 minute lunch at Cheddars (had to get the best dessert ever--the Cookie Monster) and multiple stops and a creative Tom Irvin "short cut". When we arrived we did what all Irvin's do when we get together--we got pizza! It's comforting to know that some things will never change!

That night we headed back to the hotel and broke in the pool with Uncle Rick, and cousins Casey, Melina, and Mia. Grandma joined in the fun too. Uncle Joe, Aunt Judy, and Rob held down the fort at the bar and enjoyed each other's company while the pool rats swam.

The kids didn't get to bed until well after 11 and we awoke to a crash at 3am when Lauryl toppled, unharmed, out of bed. From then on, mommy had a new bunk mate and daddy gained a Kendyl.

The next day it was off to celebrate grandma's 80th. We saw some extended family and hung out for a bit before the kids became restless and we decided to hit up a local park. But before we left we captured a fabulous pic of all the cousins together--this is a first!

The Irvin Offspring

Also can't fail to mention that Kendyl attached herself to Casey the minute she saw him and barely let him out of her grip til he left. She also took to his girlfriend, Tanya pretty quickly and became fast friends.
After we said goodbye to Tanya, Casey, and Judy we headed off to the park. We had great weather and really enjoyed the outing.

Melina and Lauryl
Mia and Kendyl

My dad and Uncle Rick

The BIG kids getting in on the fun

After the park, we headed back to my uncle's house for a cookout. My aunt made the best mac n' cheese (so I hear) and has inspired us to attempt to make ribs on the grill very soon! I uploaded a ton of new pics to grandma's digital picture frame and got it set up for her after it has been collecting dust since Christmas!!! A quick, short trip. We ended the night with another trip to the pool and tucked two exhausted kids into bed. The start of a fun vacation road trip for sure!!!