Last week I took my first road trip with my two year-old and three month-old sans an adult companion. It was damn hard to get it all together and in bags and in the car and on the road. But then. Then it was just fantastic.

The three of us headed west over a few mountain passes and through a curvy canyon to the open, lakeside city of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. We went to meet up with my sister-in-law and seven month-old niece who made the trek from Portland, Oregon. This was the most affordable way we could see each other and that was all we wanted: to lock eyeballs, share stories and hug on each other’s kids. We only had 48 hours.

We’ve known each other and been close friends for more than a decade. It’s just a bonus that she’s also family. I am so fortunate to have her in my life and now she, with the help of her husband, created this perfectly lovable Aida Louise.
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