Roadtripping with Nitto, Part Three: Exploring Your Own State

If you're anything like me, when you think of a road trip, the idea of driving a really, really far distance comes to mind. When I was younger I never thought of the East Coast car trips my family and I would take as road trips- for some reason that term was reserved for more cross-country driving in my mind. But now as an adult myself, I realize that sometimes the very best road trips are in our own state. Perhaps there's a small town you've never seen, or a whole side of your home state you've never explored- summertime is the very best time to get in the car and drive three, four, five hours and explore some of the more local gems right around the corner.

For my last post with Nitto, I wanted to do just that, and explore Tucson, a place I'd been numerous times for shows or to visit family, but never really got a chance to really take in. I recruited my Mom and sister this time, and in a moment of brilliance (or craziness), we decided to pack everyone into my car and make our way down south for two days in the Tucson sun. Tucson is about 300 miles from my house, so it was a nice little drive down there in a car full of kids and Moms. It was the first time all of us- my Mom, sister, Henry, Charlie, Lucy, and me- had gone on a trip without the guys, and we had a great time. Like I mentioned in my last post, there was an even more thorough checklist that went on for this trip, because I was hauling such precious cargo such a long way. Hank made sure to check everything twice, but I do have to say how great it is to feel confident in the tires on our car, especially with almost everyone I love traveling in it with me. Peace of mind is invaluable.

And of course my sister and I got super excited and decided to make a playlist for the drive there and back, and of course I have to share it with you guys! If you have the Spotify app you can listen to it there, or listen to it via this post right here. Music has always been such a huge part of our family vacations- from Bruce Springsteen and the Traveling Wilburys to Rilo Kiley and TLC (random, always)- that most of my memories of any car trip always have music tied to them.


So we listened to our random mix all the way down South, and when we got there (after more than a few bathroom breaks) we got to exploring the city. We fit a lot into a couple of days, and had a really good time. We ate at some favorite spots and I had some of the best pasta I've had in the longest time. We walked around Tucson's adorable downtown and got ice cream with my Aunt and cousin. We visited a couple touristy spots and also spent the second afternoon at the Tucson Botanical Garden. All in all it was a perfect two days. And when we packed everyone back into the car on Saturday afternoon, I had to turn around in my seat and take it all in for a second- my Mom, the kids...it was awesome to have had the chance to make such great memories with them.

And how about you? Do you have any road trip plans for the summer? Are there any places in your own state you haven't explored yet?

Thanks so much for supporting these three posts with Nitto (see part one and two). I've had such a great time sharing our adventures here!

xoxo

*this post was sponsored by Nitto Tire but as always, all opinions are mine.

Our Mornings, Right Now.

At 6am a little alarm must go off in Henry's mind, because the moment the clock strikes 6, it's as if he just knows to wake up. And as the mornings have become brighter and brighter, that wake up time has creeped back earlier and earlier. Most mornings he gets up and plays quietly, although other times he's in our bed, in our faces, "wake up, wake up, someone play with me!" And of course, we oblige. Then there's Charlie- usually sleeping until about 6:30 or 7, and waking up with a smile, always. He'll usually just sit up in bed and babble until we come in, and the second you open that door there's the biggest, happiest grin just beaming up at you. Henry calls him our sunshine boy.

Then the three of us play in the living room while Hank gets ready for work. Most mornings I'll make us all a big breakfast and we'll sit at the big table, but some mornings I'll throw some mini pancakes in the microwave for Henry and enjoy a quick and easy protein bar. It just depends on my level of tiredness (Charlie still isn't sleeping through the night regularly). But either way we'll eat together, soak up the 40 minutes before Hank goes to work, and then once he's out the door it's more playtime until Charlie's first nap or Henry's preschool drop-off, depending on the day.

Right now it's all about the little blocks of time that are separated by the big divides in our day- morning nap, preschool, playtime, lunch, afternoon nap, an hour 'til Daddy's home, 30 minutes...and so on.

I'm constantly reminded that our mornings won't always be like this, and if you look back at this post it's even more clear. My, how much has changed in two short years. I wonder what our days will look like in two more? So if you need me, I'll be right here, soaking up every second with my two little rascals, fitting in all I can between all of to-dos and to-gos, playtimes and naptimes. Reminding myself on those mornings I feel even more tired than usual that in the blink of an eye my babies won't be babies, and they'll be the ones rushing off in the mornings to school and friends' houses and doing all sort of big kid things we aren't doing now. It really is crazy how fast it all goes.

xoxo

*All photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Photoshop actions. I have a post coming up sharing some of my favorites- I've been loving playing around with all of them.