Let's Get Packing!

My little family and I have a LONG trip coming up in about a week, so I need to start packing. I'm taking this opportunity to document how I pack. We always rent a car and drive the 14+ hours home so you have to be pretty crafty with the packing so you don't feel overwhelmed or cramped for space. So this is what I do for the 3 of us....did I mention I have a toddler?

When we take a trip we usually are traveling to our families' for a visit. We now live in Grand Forks, ND and My husband's family lives in Illinois and my family lives in Indiana so it takes us 2 days to drive home. We are usually are gone for 2 weeks so we pack for a week and use our parents washing machines when needed. This is not always an option for some people on vacation but if you can find a hotel with a washer and drier, I recommend it. It will make your packing much lighter. We also have a toddler, so it sometimes seems like we have to pack the entire house. But through all of our trips I have found a perfect system that works for us, so I thought I'd share.

I pack between 4 and 5 different bags for the 3 of us.

Big suit case

Hotel bag

Diaper bag

Cooler

And for this trip we are also packing a Garment Suitcase because I'll be in a wedding and I need to pack my Bridesmaids dress and everything I need for that event. If you are traveling and you have to bring dresses or suits, I recommend buying one of these suit cases it really does help!

The big suit case

Our big suit case is a very large rolling suit case! It's one you'd have to check if you were going on a plane. in this case I pack enough clothes for the 3 of us. Our suitcase has lots of outer pockets so in these I put our socks and underwear so they don't take up room in the suitcase. Also if your suit case doesn't have outer pockets those space saver bags are perfect for socks and underwear. Ours has 6 outer pockets so i divide them equally between us (2 for each one for socks and one for underwear, except for Sammy he only needs one pocket for socks, which is good because one of the pockets has a huge hole in it) on the inside the first thing I pack is an unopened package of diapers and wipes. For Sammy I pack enough outfits for each day. I try to pack multiple shirts per pair of pants to cut back on the amount I have to pack (I do this for all of us). He also gets enough socks for each day even if he won't wear them each day. And if he needs and extra pair of shoes I pack them in there, too. The same goes for my husband and I. When it's warm I always pack a pair of long pants along with shorts and dresses and things because what if it rains and it's colder out? I always pack for the unknown. I also pack an extra sippy and some forks and spoons extra bottles or what ever we may need. Since I never really care how I look when I travel I go ahead and pack my flat iron and blow dryer in this bag too. That is usually all that will fit in there. It's harder in the winter time when the clothing is thicker and heavier. But space saver bags are good here too. Also a small bag for jewelry and make up.

Fortunately my hubby is such an easy person to pack for. He never wants me to pack more than one extra pair of pants and then I make sure he has a shirt for every day (some dressy and some regular t-shirts). I am over packed probably but with being pregnant I am worried I'll need something and not have it. So I have jeans, capris, and shorts and a sun dress, PLUS a shirt for each day. IN the photos you only see 4 shirts but there is a shirt in the hotel bag plus the one we will be wearing so that is 6 total shirts, then laundry day! We do the same with under wear and socks.

The hotel bag

The hotel bag makes it easier for over night stays in the hotel. This way you don't have to unpack the entire trunk and go through that huge suitcase just to find pjs and and outfit for the next day. So in a large beach bag I pack a change of clothes, pjs, and underwear and socks for everyone. Also our bag of toiletries and any medications.

This time for our toiletries I bought a Johnson's baby travel pack. It comes with soap, lotion, powder, and diaper rash cream....all travel size. And for my hubby and I, we have travel tooth paste,lotion, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Along with our tooth brushes, a comb, a razor, and hair ties.

Diaper bag

This one has my wallet, keys and cell phone. A sippy and/or bottle. Blankie and paci (for the in car nap). Special bowl for snacks. Enough diapers for the next few days (I either put them in here or I pack one day at a time and what I need for the next day goes in the hotel bag) and wipes. An extra shirt and pants go in this bag as well in case of accidents. Also my iPad and iTouch.

 There will obviously be more toys in this bag. Also, I will add an extra shirt and pair of pants for accidents. that will go in the big main pocket. The sippy that is going in this bag is one we bought the other day made by Thermos. It keeps cold drinks cold for 10 hours!!!!!!! so I'll put it in this bag to save room in the cooler.

Cooler

Really it's just a large lunch box. In it I put juice, water, and/or milk, also snacks.

Now for the placement of all objects.

TRUNK: Large suit case and any extra boxes or bags. Possibly a small umbrella stroller. Then the hotel bag in the front so it's easy to grab at the hotel.

BACK SEAT: Cooler (right behind my seat so I can reach it easily) and car seat and toddler :-)

FRONT SEAT: Me and hubby and the diaper bag. Also we never leave for a trip with out our GPS (Tom Tom). I hate being the navigator.