Quebec City Trip & Carpet in the Playroom!

Well, last Friday we left for Quebec City and we had a fantastic weekend. Getting there was not so fantastic, however. We couldn't leave until almost 2:00 because we had to wait for Steve and Jen to get out of work. We knew that it would be bad traffic because of Memorial Day weekend, but we weren't expecting quite this bad. Believe it or not, Boston wasn't actually the worst part. Boston was about normal, but then north of Boston all the way up 93 to Concord, NH was horrible traffic and it took us more than 4 hours to get to Concord, which was horrible. We were second-guessing whether this weekend would be worth it after the trip. We ended up getting there around midnight (11:59 to be exact) so it was a little more than 10 hour trip. Caleb did ok in the car during the day, but when it was around time for him to go to sleep, he had a hard time and got very fussy. He finally fell asleep for about 1 1/2-2 hours, but then he woke up about an hour before we got there and then was crying the whole rest of the trip. I don't know why he doesn't do very well sleeping in the car. Maybe because he likes to sleep on his stomach and his car seat isn't that comfortable for him. Anyway, we were very happy to get there and go to bed.

We did have to resort to the Fisher Price Animals app on the tablet

This was where we stayed - 3 couples on the left and 4 couples on the right

Luckily I was not under any false illusions that Caleb would sleep in because he went to bed at 12:30. And sure enough, he was awake at 5:45! We were staying in the side of the house with Shannon & Sean and Shawn & Camille, because we were the ones with the kids (and luckily, all of our kids are roughly on the same schedule - early to bed and early to rise). My parents, Rad & Jen, Sherrie & Kevin, and David & Yully were staying on the other side and Toni & Terry and Bill & Melanie were staying in a different place right in the city (we were about 35 minutes north of the city). 

Sabbath morning was cold and rainy and everyone that didn't have kids was very tired, so we kinda laid low in the morning. 

We put Caleb down for a nap around 11:30 and he was exhausted. We actually put his pack and play in the bathroom because there were no windows in there so it was pitch dark. Otherwise I don't think Caleb would have napped well. Anyway, he went right to sleep and slept a little over 1 1/2 hours, so I was happy with that in a different location. Then we had lunch with everyone, including a little birthday party for Camden, who turned 5 on Sabbath. 

After lunch, we headed off to a place not too far from us that had beautiful waterfalls and canyons. The weather turned beautiful just as we left, so it was perfect. The place was not conducive to strollers, so I brought Caleb in the Ergo carrier which is the first time I have used this particular one. It went great, so I am happy about that! We had a great time walking around and going on the suspension bridges. At one point, we had to go down (and back up) 187 steps to the bottom of a canyon. That was a little tough coming back up with 25+ extra pounds on my back, but good exercise! 

At the end of the walk, the kids played on a playground for awhile. Unfortunately, our camera battery had died, but my mom did get one cute picture. 

After the walk, we went back to the house to make supper. We had prosage subs, which were so yummy! The plan was for our parents and the kid-less couples to go out on the town one night and then the younger couples go out the other night and have our parents babysit the kids. So, Saturday night we were going to stay home with the kids. I thought Steve would want to just go to bed, so I was going to go with the other couples and leave Steve with Caleb. However, Shannon asked if Steve wanted to go as well and she would keep an eye on Caleb (he would already be sleeping). I was a little nervous leaving him only because we were in a different location and I was afraid he would wake up and give Shannon a problem (although he never does that at home), but in the end we did leave him and we had a great time, so we are very grateful to Shannon for her offer. And Caleb did fine, so I am glad. Caleb was super tired still from the prior night, so he fell asleep nursing and I just laid him down and he was out for the night, so it was easy to leave him. 

When we got there, we walked around the city for awhile, then we went and got crepes, which were pretty good, but not to die for. 

This is the place we went, but the picture was taken at a different time

Sundown worship at the place in the city

After the crepes, we took a ferry ride out on the bay to be able to see the city lights from a distance. It was beautiful, but the night had gotten cold, so it was a little chilly outside on the ferry. 

We got back from the ferry about 11:30 and then headed back to our place and got back around 12:15. We were of course very tired, but it was a lovely evening and so worth it to stay up late! 

Sunday morning Caleb actually slept until 6:30 after going to bed about 7:15, so that was much better! After breakfast we headed back into the city for the day. We walked around for awhile and then walked up to a fort called the Citadel. Some people took a tour and some of us just kept walking around. Caleb needed a nap at that time, and I was hoping he would fall asleep in the stroller, even though he usually doesn't. I was lucky and he did go right to sleep in the stroller and slept a little over 30 minutes, which I was fine with considering the circumstances. 

After we met back up with the ones on the tour, we walked around some more and did some shopping. We also got some gelato (I got a slushie instead). Caleb enjoyed the bottom of Grammy's cone which still had some gelato in it.

Then we split up for awhile. Steve and Caleb and I walked around a little while and Caleb just had fun running around the streets. 

Then we met everyone back at Bill & Melanie/Toni & Terry's place in the city. The younger couples were going to go out to an early dinner and the parents were going to watch the kids. Then we would still be able to take our kids home and put them to bed. So, we set off to a Thai restaurant which ended up being about $25 a plate, so we decided to find something different. We found something that had a little bit of everything. It was ok, but not fantastic. We sat outside, which was nice, and of course, the company was lovely, so it was a good time. 

I have a picture of the other 4 as well, but I guess I didn't upload it. 

There really isn't a good way to knock on the door at the house, so when we got back, Sean and Steve lifted Shannon up to the window so everyone would see her and come open the door. 

We got Caleb and headed back to our place. We were back by 8:00, Caleb was in bed by 8:30, and then we spent the rest of the evening just talking and visiting with the younger couples while the "old folks" went out on the town and got crepes together. It was very enjoyable to just sit there and talk with everyone while the kids were sleeping. 

Monday morning we just got up and left around 8:30. We were anticipating another bad day of driving. It actually wasn't very bad at all. We hardly got into any traffic. It still took us almost 10 hours, but that's because stopped for at least an hour to see Alison and Heath and the boys because it was right on the way. 

Caleb did ok in the car, but not great again. I guess it doesn't matter whether we drive at night or during the day. Either way he just doesn't like riding in the car seat for a long period of time. But who can blame him? He did sleep for a little over an hour late morning, but then didn't sleep the rest of the way. 

We got home around 6:15 which was great because we still got Caleb to bed at his normal bedtime. And he then slept 12 hours and took a 2 1/2 hour nap the next day.

Tuesday was a catching up day, but we also went and saw Nathan and Caleb for a few minutes because they had been home for the weekend but we had missed them because of our trip. And we did go to our play group and get groceries.

Yesterday I worked and Steve actually stayed home with Caleb most of the day because the carpet was coming for our play room and he also had a dentist appointment. I am so excited about the carpet because now we can move into the playroom. Since Steve was home most of the day, he already moved my treadmill and the couch and some of Caleb's toys into the playroom, so it looks great! He still has to finish the ceiling and the closets, but it is functional now!!

Well, that's about it! Here are a couple random pictures that didn't fit in the rest of the blog!