The First Day

Today was the first day of our vacation.  We were scheduled to leave at 4 am, but Eley turned the alarm off!  He woke up at 5, got us all up and we were pulling out a little before 5:30.  Here is everyone, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.  It didn't last too long and they were snoozing away.

Eley and I were stressed most of the day because we had taken a good bit of our money and put on a Wal-Mart Visa card.  We figured out, after it was too late, that the card was only temporary, and they would send you a permanent one in 7-10 days.  Then we tried to use it at a few gas stations, and it was declined.  So we were pretty stressed out, thinking our money was stuck on a card.  But we realized that you can use it, but you have to go inside, and it worked for stores and restaurants.  Once we got that all taken care of, we were set.  But just a note to you all, if you need something like that, do it 2 weeks ahead of time, or just know you have to go into a store and can't use it at a pump.
We made it to Kearney, Nebraska, at 6:00 pm, in 12 1/2 hours.  The kids did great, even wanting to eat their lunch in the car.  We got here and made a quick trip to Cabela's.  It was a very small one, because it was one of the original ones.  Then after a great supper at a local Mexican chain restaurant, we came back to the motel.  I can't say it is the nicest one I have ever stayed in, but it is a very big room.  Anyway, we are going to turn in early.  We will get up and eat breakfast here at the motel, then head out.  Our goal is to eat breakfast around 7.  We go back to mountain time, so we actually gain an hour.  Tomorrow is Mt. Rushmore, and we can't wait.  There is a chance of rain, so we are hoping it doesn't.  Will post tomorrow...pray for safe travels.  Thanks and love to all <3