We made it!

3,000 miles and 15 states over a period of 12 days...what an adventure.  All I can say is, "We made it."

The first leg of our journey started at about 3:30am.  We woke up early, piled Maks into the car and headed east.  This mama did most of the driving.  Check out my two boys sweetly dreaming as we made our way through Louisiana and Mississippi.

"Mississippi is a SNOOZE!"  Not sure why this photo is reversed - Bryon IS in the passenger seat!

After some more time in the car, we took a break in Alabama.  Maks enjoyed some free time in a bookstore, as well as running through a grassy park area.  

Of course, he was thrilled to hop in the driver's seat at each and every gas station stop along the way.

Busting a move in Alabama.  Someone decided to take over the tunes (and the wheel).

Our final destination for the day was Atlanta.  It took us 12 hours to make the 9 hour journey - not too shabby.  We checked into our downtown hotel and grabbed a bite to eat at a local brewery before putting Maks down for the night.  Actually, I was quick to follow Maks' steps and headed to bed myself after a quick workout at the gym.  Later that night, Bryon met up with one of his good high school friends who'd just flown into town.  I'm so thankful for a random Facebook post that let me know that Bryon's two best friends from his hometown would be in Atlanta working for a Muddy Buddy Race the exact weekend that we happened to be passing through.  It was almost too good to be true...except that James' plane didn't land until nearly 1am.  After waking up at 3am and driving for 12 hours, Bryon just wasn't prepared to pull that long of a day.  Instead, we woke up in the morning and grabbed breakfast with James and Lee before continuing our journey on the road towards South Carolina.  Maks was so happy to finally see that the two fictional uncles that he'd been hearing about for nearly a year were actually, in fact, real.

Tearing things up in Atlanta!

"My uncles are cooler than yours!"

Uncle James and Uncle Lee wore him out!

After another shorter day on the road, we arrived in South Carolina at Bryon's brother's house.  We enjoyed a nice weekend and helped celebrate his nephew's high school graduation.  Most of our time was spent poolside (even when it was raining outside - although most of the weekend was hot and sunny).  We wish Matt the very best at he ventures off to Florida to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University this Fall.  In the meantime, soak up all you can on your senior trip to Costa Rica, Matt!  Real life will begin before you know it!

Rainy swim in South Carolina

Both Bryon and myself have been itching to visit Greenville, SC, so this trip provided the perfect opportunity for us to take a day and explore the little town.  It's a beautiful city full of parks and trails.  Maksim played his very first flock of ducks as we walked along the Reedy River.  And, of course (for anybody who knows our dining out habits), Maks enjoyed some red curry before calling it a night!

"I'll have red curry, please.  Thai hot."

Our trek from South Carolina to Iowa was the longest leg of our journey.  We hit the road at 8:30am and intended to stay overnight in Indianapolis.  However, once Maks fell asleep just outside of Indiana, we buckled down and continued the final 6 hours remaining before reaching my parents house in Cedar Rapids, IA.  

Reading on the road! 

Along the way, the most beautiful part of the journey had to be the mountains in North Carolina.  Check out these gorgeous wild flowers!  Hard to believe that they were just growing in a ditch along the interstate.

Stopping to smell the flowers!

The rest of the jaunt included Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and finally Iowa.

Toes just taste better in Tennessee!

We stopped at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to stretch our legs...

Kickin' it with a colt in Lexington, KY.

...and to chase some ducks (since he fell in love with them in Greenville).

Ohio is for lovers.

In Cedar Rapids, we were lucky enough to visit with my mom, brother, sister-in-law and a handful of my relatives.  By this time in the trip Maks was getting much better at warming up to strangers (a welcome change since he'd been expressing some separation anxiety within the previous couple of weeks).  Unfortunately, I was so busy watching him play and visiting with family that I didn't get any pictures of the action!

Keeping entertained across the state of Iowa:

Our stay was short-lived, and after just 2 days we continued on to the West side of IA to Bryon's hometown of Cherokee.  Cherokee is such a small town, and everybody knows everybody.  For instance, Bryon has only been back to visit about 4 times since he graduated high school.  However, when I was carrying Maks through a store (without Bryon next to us), people could immediately identify that Maks was Bryon's son.  CRAZY!  We couldn't go anywhere without Bryon being recognized - such a change from what I'm used to!

We always stay at his step-mom's (Pat) house; it is so very nice that she continues to welcome us and treat us like family even though she and Bryon's father have been separated for 7 years.  With a cat, 2 dogs, 14 horses, 26 cows and 20 calves - including a calf that was born just the day before we arrived - Maks was throughly entertained by all of the sites and sounds that Pat's acreage had to offer.

Rockin' it in Daddy's old house.

We also do our fair share of visiting with Bryon's dad, Ralph.  Ralph owns a weightlifting gym in the middle of town (Victory Gym), so Maks was thrilled to run around the maze of machines and dumbbells.  His favorite activity, however, was definitely running amok upstairs - which used to house a boxing ring and indoor track.

Of course, we were in town for Bryon's friend's wedding.  It was a great opportunity for me to meet some of Bryon's high school classmates.  Plus, I always enjoy hearing the stories that people have to share with me regarding Bryon's past!  Maks joined us for the first hour of the reception before heading back to Pat's house for the night.  In an hour's time, he was asked to dance by 3 different girls.  Total ladies man!  Actually, the cutest moment of the night came when we were leaving to take Maks home.  An 8 year old girl, Claire, asked us why we were leaving.  When I told her that we needed to put Maks to bed but we'd be right back, she responded, "But he's the only friend I've made here so far."  I responded by telling her that there were many children inside and I was sure she'd make some more friends in no time.  However, she was quick to point out, "But I've been spending all of my time with Maks!".  ADORABLE.  Congrats to Katie and Cory!  Thanks for inviting us to help celebrate your special day!

We made the final trek from Iowa to Louisiana in another single day.  3:30am-8:30pm.  Maks was such a trooper.  I honestly don't know how he managed to remain so content and happy in the car.  Not to mention, he maintained his daily 2+ hour nap and his 7pm-6:30am bedtime throughout the entire 12 days.  We got lucky!

You know you live in the South when your seat warmer goes on mid-June because a rainy 60-some degree morning in Omaha just feels too cold!

State #13 and still smiling!

Smile turned scrunchy nose face.  The Midwest can be stinky!

So far, we've been home for 2 days and have jumped right back into our routine.  Daddy and Maks vacuumed the entire house since Kira was busy trekking in dirt and shedding while we were gone.  

Dyson dudes!

And speaking of Kira, she kept us busy upon our return.  Although she had someone taking care of her - playing with her daily and feeding her/letting her out 3 times a day, her underside was full (I mean FULL) of bites.  At least a few hundred.  Consequently, we took her to the vet the first chance we could.  We weren't sure if they were fire ant bites, bed bug bites, mange, you name it.  Turns out, she'd been bitten by fire ants.  Poor pup.  We've got her taken care of and she's healing quickly.  Her itching appears to have subsided, which is a relief.  And so far, no signs of infection.  In the end, both Kira and Maks appear to be extremely pleased to enjoy eachother's company once again.

Waiting at the vet; Maks clearly prefers Kira's dog bed in the backseat over his carseat.

Louisiana - Mississippi - Alabama - Georgia - South Carolina - North Carolina - Tennessee - Kentucky - Ohio - Indiana - Illinois - Iowa - Nebraska - Missouri - Arkansas

Add Texas, Oregon and Washington and Maks has already visited 18 states!  But it's good to be home!