Traveling with a Toddler...

...is EXHAUSTING!  We traveled to Chicago to celebrate Mike's Grandfather's 90th birthday.  This was Layla's first flight and first time meeting her great-grandpa and most of the Melcher side of the family.  We had a great time visiting with everyone, but holy heck it is tough traveling with a toddler.  Next time you see someone with a baby in an airport, give them a hug.

Leading up to the flight I really tried to get Layla excited about planes.  I would point them out whenever we saw them and talk about going on a plane and we checked out plane books from the Library to read every night.  It seemed to work because she was pretty excited to be at the airport...maybe too excited.  She never fussed but she was super busy the whole time.  She was up and down and in to everything.  On the way home she was going cra-zy in the airport.  Her favorite thing to do was get on the moving walkways and try running the opposite way.  The other passengers just loved that.  Once we got on the flight though, she actually fell asleep!  Here are a few pics from our weekend.

Looking as we take off

Four generations of Melchers.  Great-Grandpa, Pops, Layla and Mike

Great Grandpa and all his great grandchildren

Mike and all his Melcher cousins

Looking at all the planes aka "Baaaane!  Baaane!  Baaaaane!"

 Climbing all over Momma on the plane

Finally, passed out.  We were all exhausted by the end.