We had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving in Texas, with my side of the family.
The catch: I fly by myself with all 4 kiddos, both ways. We flew out on Sunday, Dan would follow on Wed and then return Sunday, and we would fly home the next Tuesday.
We flew out of Seattle, to save some $$. Here we are starting our journey on the shuttle to the airport, from the parking lot.
7:00 AM
We breezed threw security and baggage check, so we had time to play at the playground. Tyler took a little nap.
Operation "wear out the succes before a 4-hour flight" = SUCCESS!
The kids loved the plane and were so fun to watch during take off. I'm not sure any of them remember riding on a plane. However, the novelty war off by the last hour, at least for Brinly. She was not much fun.
We arrived at DFW around 4:00 PM. I gave the kids some gum to chew on landing, to help with the ear popping. Unfortunately, it did nothing for chelsea. She was in tears and wouldn't communicate with me. She hates crying and gets so embarrassed, she tries to hide herself. Brinly threw a tantrum and my big helper was out of commission. Somehow, I got all the backpacks, diaperbag, and jackets and we wandered until we finally found our baggage claim. I heard the flight attendant wrong, so we walked a great deal of the airport, before turning around to go back to the baggage claim that was next to our arrival gate. We finally found our bags, and then had to take another 20 minute shuttle ride to the car rental place.
What a nightmare!
It was my first time renting a car.
I was surprised that my online quote didn't include the 41% in taxes and fees. I also had no idea I was going to be charged $25 per day per car seat. We needed the car for 9 days. $225 to borrow a car seat for 9 days?! No thank you! I would rather buy a new one and give it away for a fraction of that cost!
A quick call to my sister to see if she had one I could borrow, forked over the dough to rent a car, and then we were on our way.
We drove a Ford Expedition 2012. AKA modern spaceship.
I had no idea our 2006 dodge caravan was so outdated. Since when did you start a car with a button?!
The car was already on when they gave it to me, so I just hopped in and drove off. Of course, 5 minutes down the road, Brinly had to pee. So, we pulled over and stopped at a gas station, that looked a little iffy, but I wasn't going to chance driving somewhere else and have Brinly pee in this fancy schmancy car. When we got back into the car, I couldn't figure out how to turn it on. There was no owners manual in the car. Then Tyler started to scream.
I finally figured out the ignition button, but couldn't figure out how to turn on the lights. I had to call Dan and have him google for information. FINALLY, we were on the road again. However, after leaving the airport, I realized we weren't on the highway I thought we were on. Thank goodness for GPS. But then, we were on a toll road! I didn't have any change. I called my Dad. He says everything is now digital, and they'll just bill you later. I had no idea how much it would cost me to get home, but I didn't care.
9:00 PM, Dallas time, we finally arrive at my parents house. Saga to be continued...
In the mean time, we loved our trip, especially the weather! We spent a lot of time outdoors in the upper 70's and low 80's climate. AHHHH
A fun train museum in Plano. This is only a fraction of the cousins.
Michael had his birthday in Texas, so we had to do the traditional streamer-run through.
That night we had cake and opened presents. Thanks to my family for making Michael feel awesome!
Dan arrived. Early. I got lost on the way to the airport. I finally picked him up 2 hours late.
I was worried about how we would get 10 adults and 15 kids in my parents house for a meal. But we did it. And more than once! The food was awesome.
My sister-in-law, Randi was a genius to bring crafts for the kids to do.
I come from a fairly musical family. Which turns family get togethers, into jam sessions.
(My bro-in law on the saxophone (currently teaching private lessons in Wylie, Texas if you need em!), my sis on Guitar, and my youngest bro on piano)
(My brother Nathan, Tyler, and nephew Jaron as the rhythm section)
(Brinly on the ????? My mom has all sorts of fun things in her piano room)
She soon got bored and played with Mom's beany babies instead. Can you believe my mom as a teaching idea for piano for EVERY ONE of these things?! The colorful parot is to remind you to play colorful dynamics. Placing your hand over the tortoise shell teaches how the perfect handshape should me. Stoke the kitty with one hand and pounce on the puppy with the other hand. Etc.
Yeah, she's an AWESOME piano teacher.
We stopped by the Legoworld store in the Grapevine mills mall on our way to drop Dan off at the airport.
(Dallas city scape in legos)
As always, I wish I had taken more pictures.
While we were there, my sister modified her childhood dress for her daughter, to make it longer. Unfortunately, Anna got sick and puked when they got to church. Good thing we took pictures BEFORE church!
My cute brother, trying to sleep on the couch. I was nursing Tyler, had a camera next to me on the couch, and couldn't resist.
Not sure when the epidemic started, or with who, but out of all 25 of us, only 5 or 6 escaped an awful stomach flu. It was Brinly's first experience with throwing up, and she didn't know what to make of it. She knew her tummy hurt. That was it. Then she would puke. I didn't sleep a bit Sunday night. Then she got the runs (sorry to be graphic) and wasn't sure how to control that either. then Chelsea got sick. I was feeling nauseas and weak but I will do anything NOT to throw up, so luckily, I didn't.
Didn't sleep much Tuesday night. Probably more anxious about the return flight home with sick kids.
Our journey home started at 4 AM. I got up, checked my flight status, and started getting the kids up.
My mom was so sick the day before, she couldn't get out of bed, so she knew how awful we all felt.
I started to cry.
Dad and mom started to cry.
It was going to be a long day.
Got the car dropped off, got through security okay. Went to the bathroom at least 20 times. Only Michael and Tyler were not sick. We were one of the last ones on the plane, and as soon as we got on, Brinly started crying about her tummy. Which means: take me to the toilet, NOW. we did three times. I procrastinated a few times, and she quickly went through her 2 changes of clothes I happened to bring in Tyler's diaper bag. In her last outfit, I made her wear one of Tyler's diapers.
We were delayed an hour, sitting on the plane. UGH. 8:55 AM, a full day of flying, plus a 4 hour drive home, I didn't know what I was going to do. You may judge me, but I did what I thought would get us through the day. I gave Brinly Benadryl.
I tell you what. It saved us. She soon fell asleep, and slept until we landed in San Francisco.
We found our connecting flight, got a snack, went to the bathroom several more times, and then started to bored the plane. However, when I handed them my ticket, I was informed I was in the WRONG gate. In fact, the WRONG terminal! I gathered up the kids, Brinly now throwing a tantrum, Chelsea could barely carry her back pack (she was my biggest helper and was out of commission, again), and we tore threw the airport, out the building, down the street to the next terminal, and then had to go through security again. Luckily, our connecting flight was delayed too. I did cry a few tears though. I don't cry often.
Boarded the airplane, Brinly slept again, Tyler slept again, I focused on keeping last night's dinner down ('cause that was the last time I ate) Got our bags, called our shuttle, then called my worried mom to let her know we had landed. I was SO relieved to find our Van, that I was actually giddy. I think I actually had an adrenaline kick!
Somehow, I managed the 4 hour drive home. I have never been so tired in my LIFE. I don't think I will EVER travel alone again. but IF I do, we will get a direct flight, out of PASCO.
Thanks for letting me be dramatic! :)
