Vacation Plans Are Set!!

 I am excited to finally have our summer vacation plans set.  We will be spending a week in Oregon to visit my family and a week in Missouri to visit my husband's family.  I have to say that I am a bit biased and am looking forward to our Oregon leg of the trip the most.  This  is not to say that I enjoy one family over the other, but to say that I feel most at home in Oregon.  It's only natural, since that's where I was born and raised.  Missouri is a bit foreign to me.  I'm not used to the humidity and the bugs.  But you bet I'm going to be prepared this time. 

So, I'm asking you, my cherished readers, what your tips and suggestions are for some of my vacation "dilemmas".

Dilemma #1 - Crazy-active toddler on an airplane.  My Baby-Boy freaks out if ever he feel restrained.  So, I don't think he's going to take being cooped up on an airplane for hours at a time well.  I've scheduled as many flights as I can close to his nap and bedtimes to encourage sleep on the plane.  Any natural remedies to calm him and maybe encourage sleep...  I don't want to give him benadryl as has been suggested to me.  Eventhough I think that would work like a charm, I feel kind of terrible for "doping" my child.

Dilemma #2 - Sand and Diapers.  We plan on spending much of our time in Oregon on the beautiful coast.  I LOVE the beach and the surf, but I LOATHE the sand and how it gets everywhere!  Any tips on how to keep sand out of my baby's diaper (and every crevice therein)?

Playing on the coast with Not-so-little-man

Dilemma #3 - Sticky Humidity.  I don't do humidity, but unfortunately, thus is Missouri in the summertime.  My last trip was honestly the most uncomfortable, sticky, itchy trip I've ever taken (and I've been to Iraq twice y'all).  So, how do those of you who live in these conditions cope with the sticky air and unreal amount of sweat in parts of your body that shouldn't sweat?  The only thing I can think of is baby powder...

Dilemma #4 - Bugs.  I also don't do bugs.  They have bugs there that actually burrow under your skin and are really itchy.  I think they're called chiggers.  They also have mosquitoes in plague-like numbers.  Does anyone have any natural remedies that work better than Deep Woods Off?  I hate to douse myself and children in chemicals to keep these nasty bugs away.  But to be honest, if I had to choose between the chemicals and the crazy-itchiness, I'm gonna have to say that the chemicals will win out.  So, if anyone has any non-chemical beg repellent ideas that actually work, please let me know.  I really don't want to be an insect feast again. 

All in all, I think this trip is going to be absolutely wonderful.  I can't wait to see all of my family and to enjoy some great summertime-outside-of-sweltering-Arizona activities.  White water rafting on the Rogue River is definitely on the itinerary, along with campfires and fireworks on the beach and the cornucopia that is my Grandma's kitchen.  We will be spending some great time at the Lake of the Ozarks and in Branson at Silver Dollar City.  We are roller coaster junkies after all.  Boy O Boy, I can't wait!! 

Please share any of your solutions and tips to my dilemmas or any other vacation tips (especially traveling with kids) in the comment section. :)