I feel like our lives recently have been just like the Willie Nelson song "On The Road Again".   It's been a busy summer of travel.  Lot's of short weekend trips.   We just get home and settled and then it's on the road again the next day.   The boys have been awesome in the car and on the trips. It's been lots of fun, but I'm getting worn out.    We put 3000 miles on the car in about a month:

Chicago, then Milwaukee, then Chicago, then Tennesee, then Chicago.  I think there might have been another jaunt in the middle there too, but I can't remember now.

Lot's of family time and lots of time seeing other family members.   Lots of birthday parties and fun stuff.   The boys love staying at hotels.  I need to get some pictures posted at some point, but you know how that goes...

It truly has been an awesome summer so far.   I can't believe tomorrow is August 1st.  Going fast + I need to find some time to play more golf!  Anyone out there in the Indy area want to play?

Yesterday was our first attempt at "Media Free Monday".   About a week ago Holli had an idea that we should pick one day a week and hit pause on all media.  This includes TV, newspapers, movies, radios, music/cds in the cars, etc.   I took it a step further and hit pause on all blog reading that I keep up with.

I have to say it was awesome!   We did quite well.    Media Free Mondays are for the boys too.   Holli took them to Cool Creek Park in the afternoon and they played in the creek and had a great time.

For me, the quiet time in the car was great.   I found myself instinctively reaching for the radio button many times.   The quiet drive was great though to do some good thinking.

Monday night was especially good.    Over the weekend Holli and I had planned to spend Monday night watching a movie because we both had forgotten about our pledge.    We remembered on Monday and instead spent the time hanging out and doing some reading.  

Definitely going to continue this tradition.  Just another way to try and live freaky!  What about you?  Want to join us in this pledge?

Last night was date night.   Holli and I try to get out once a week for a date and have been pretty good at sticking to that for a while now.   We're blessed to have an awesome baby sitter.

We haven't been to a movie in a while so we decided to go see Hancock, the new Will Smith movie.    We both love Will Smith, so we figured it would be good.

I have to say I loved this movie.  Holli really liked it too.  There's something about being in a big theater with popcorn that just sucks you in to the experience.  

There were times that I was just cracking up during this movie.  If you've seen it, think about Hancock's first day in jail.

If you're looking for a fun date night activity definitely check out Hancock.

This past weekend we took a road trip up to Milwaukee to visit my brother Tom, his wife Jess and their daughter Sidney.  Sidney just turned two, so they were having a birthday party. 

We had an awesome time.  It's always so nice to get out of town and spend some good quality family time together.   Although, there were times in the car that I was questioning the "quality" time.  

Do I wish we had a minivan for the trip?  Heck no.  Holli and I decided that instead of our Pacifica we needed to procure a limo.   Not because we want someone to drive us around.  I actually enjoy driving long distances.   There's something about being on the road that relaxes me and it gives me good time to think.   The reason we think we need a limo is purely for the privacy window.  You know that window that separates the driver from the back of the limo?   I think it's sound proof and there's even a part that will block all visibility.

Think about that parents.  It's a perfect solution for car trips.  Stick the kids in the back, put the privacy window up, and you're golden.   Listen to music, chat, or just day dream.    But what about the kids you ask?   Hey, we're not cruel -- Most limos have a TV in the back and mini-fridge, or at least a cooler.    Camden is old enough now to unbuckle himself, get a drink and then buckle back up.  That's safe isn't it?  He could get Caleb a drink if he needed one too.

I think I'm going to go check eBay and find a nice used limo for the new family mobile.  Uh oh, one thought, it won't fit in the garage....It's still worth it for the peace and quiet.

Can you relate?