The Clampetts cross the state line...

Or at least that's how we felt. I cannot recount on here the happenings of the day in it's entirety because my pride will not allow it (not to mention I love my family and desire to continue the wonderful relationships I have with them).

It sounded like such a good idea...load up the three little girls in their car seats...add their moms, aunt and Grandma to the mix...take the short drive to Shreveport-Bossier City...enjoy outdoor shopping, entertainment, good food and girl time.

Madelyn was excited and ready to get on the road.

Departure time: 9 a.m.!

Time we actually pulled out of the driveway: 9:50 a.m.!

We had it all planned out before everyone arrived. The third row would be reserved for two car seats and Grandma (she volunteered for that). Car seat number three and Aunt Rach would be in the middle row and I would keep Marlo company up front (I get car sick rather easily so this was a must...I've never been so thankful for my affinity to become ill in the back seat of a car in all my life).
The plan had to be changed up a bit when we realized the car we were taking didn't have the proper latches for car seats on the third row. This left us in a bind.

After a little rearranging we put the oldest child in the back with her booster seat next to Grandma and Aunt Rachel. It was a tight squeeze. The other two munchkins sat comfortably strapped in to their car seats in the captain's chairs in the middle row. I of course (thanks to my history of throwing up in the back seat) sacrificed and sat up front to keep the driver company.

Can I just let everyone know that if the vehicle you are riding in is going 50 miles per hour and you are sitting in the front passenger seat and need to pour out a drink, do not roll down your window and then proceed to pour the drink out near the front of the car. You will spray water all over the occupants of said vehicle that are sitting stuffed in the rows behind you, including your baby.

Also, don't "rub it in" that you are sitting comfortably in the front seat by having a conversation with the driver because it might make the adults that have wedged themselves in unnatural positions in the back seat to think ill thoughts of you. Just sit quietly and pretend to be uncomfortable too.

I am pretty sure that when we had just made it to Kilgore (nearly an hour later-it should barely take 30 minutes) my mom and sister were holding up signs to the cars in the lanes next to us reading, "Help! We've been kidnapped!!".

After taking a few short long cuts and scenic routes, one stop at Whataburger for the five year old to pretend she had to use the bathroom and lots of laughs later...we finally arrived!

I love outdoor shopping malls. I turned Madelyn's stroller facing out to be like her big cousins, but honestly...I didn't like it. She didn't really seem to care one way or the other but when she fell asleep I did not feel like I could keep as good of an eye on her.

The purple twinkies wanted their picture together standing by the fountain (that I cropped out!) before we started shopping.

Marlo, Allison and Emily by the fountain. The Boardwalk was SO nice. We mainly shopped at the children's clothing stores and got some awesome deals (at one store I got 3 pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of leggings, four shirts and a pink polka-dot dress for next year for Madelyn all for under $17).

We ate lunch at the Salt Grass Steakhouse on the river. Yummy!

Then we let the munchkins run around in the grass and watch the water in the fountain.

Grandma and Alli pushed the strollers around in the grass for a little while so that the big girls could run in to a store without the little ones.

All three of the girls loved getting to ride the carousel. Madelyn loved her first ride so much when we were in Oklahoma City that I knew she would love it again.

Grandma did a great job snapping some pictures for us!

Alli had so much fun that she was the one that was not so happy about having to get off when it was over this time.

Madelyn and Aunt Marlo by the carousel

There is not much better on a hot summer day than cheesecake ice cream :) I have never had Cold Stone before, but I am now a fan!

Madelyn was SO good. She started to fuss twice on our 12 hour day trip. Once at lunch when I wasn't getting her food out fast enough and the second time was at dinner when again, I was not getting her food out fast enough!! Both times it only lasted about 30 seconds. Oh wait...one more time on the way home in the car...but that's it. The entire day. She just hung out in her stroller. Happily trying out her new waving skills (we've been working on it and she is quickly catching on), smiling at all the people, and sleeping.

The Clampetts also ventured in to Super Target while we were there. I heart Super Target.

If only I didn't have any pride...then I could fill in some of the gaps in the story. Alas...there are some things you just don't share on the internet.