Sweet Home Chicago

We made if back yesterday from our vacation in Chicago, hence the lack of posts. Since a lot went on I'm going to have to break it all up into different posts, so let's start with last Wednesday.

I ended up flying up alone with the kids since Scott was scheduled mandatory overtime. To be honest I pretty much sat and cried when I found this out. There was not one ounce of me looking forward to the 2 hour and 15 minute flight by myself with the kids. The last time we flew with them they were 6 months, so it's pretty hard to gauge what they are going to act like. Scott was able to get an escort pass though and it was a huge help at the airport, especially trying to get through security.

We had an early flight (6:30, sounded awesome at the time) so I was pretty sure the kids would sleep the flight up, or at least one would. They were really excited when we told them we were going on an airplane, and were even more excited when they saw their "pack packs" by the door. Security and everything was a breeze thanks to Scott, seriously I don't know how I would have gotten all of our crap through security without an extra set of hands.



The kids really got excited when they saw the airplane, they could not wait to get on, and honestly didn't even notice Scott left, at first. Once we started to pull away from the gate Aaron asked where Daddy was.

After take off I was able to pull out my secret weapons, the portable DVD players. I found headphones for them on Amazon that are kid sized, and they were perfect! Aaron wanted nothing to do with them, but Jill loved them. Aaron also fell asleep within the first half hour, so it didn't matter if he liked the headphones or not. I was honestly impressed with how smooth everything went on the flight, they were amazing!


My parents also got escort passes and met me at the gate to help out, it was awesome. After the airport we headed to a great local restaurant for breakfast and met up with my niece Lorren, or as Aaron called her, The Ren. It was soooooo good and I honestly cannot tell you the last time I had that big of a breakfast.

More to come on our adventure later.....

Ahhh sweet sunny Florida

Family Christmas

At the Shedd Aquarium

Playing in the new jumper

Scott and Aaron in the snow

Jill and I in the snow
We are home in beautiful sunny warm Florida! Yahoo! The trip was good, we did a bunch of stuff so we are definitely tired. Family Christmas was on Sunday and there were like 30 people in my parents basement. The kids did really well though considering how many people were there. As an added bonus Scott and I got to eat food that was actually warm! Mom had a huge spread as always (I think the US Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and all others I missed could eat and we'd still have leftovers!) and it was so yummy! We made sangria too (or as my Mom calls it Shangra-la) which is always yummy. The kids got a ton of gifts (thank you all) which kept them busy for a while. I had to laugh though when my Mom was opening her gifts, of all the sweet and sentimental things she got she cried when she opened the ornament of a chicken playing the accordion. Yes those genes flow through me and my kids, it's awesome! The kids got a jumper from my parents, and let me just say, by far the coolest toy ever! They love it! Sometimes I wish it had a safety belt because when they really get going.....wow.... So what else did we do... We went to the John G. Shedd Aquarium (on the coldest day) which I haven't been to in years. Part of it was closed for refurb but it was still awesome. I think Scott had way more fun than anyone else there, and he was trying to convince me the entire time that we need a fish tank. I'm all for it, we just need this little thing called space. But like I said, the aquarium was cool. They added a reef area on the lower level with a floor to ceiling shark tank (SO COOL!). They also had an area with sting rays that swam under you which Jill thought was super cool. We also had dinner by my sister Cathy which was super yummy (watch out Bobby Flay and company!). The kids got a few more presents there too (thank you thank you!). The kids, and Scott, got to experience their first snow. Scott was so excited he even helped my dad snowblow the driveway. I've honestly never seen someone excited to go out in 10 degree weather to snowblow, ever. The flight home was good. I have to say the people that work security in Chicago are so much nicer than the people in Orlando! They took care of our carseats for us and even stacked them back on a cart after we went through, it was great! Plus the people that worked at Southwest in Chicago were way nicer than the people in Orlando! The flight attendant helped us on the plane and the guy loading the luggage collapsed our stroller for us, it was great! The kids slept pretty much the entire 2 hours which was like a little piece of heaven! So now it's back to the daily grind. I added some photos to my last post and have a ton more (on facebook of course), I'll add a link later. Hope all is well with you!

I'm sorry what did you say the temperature was?

Waiting at the airport

Jill on the plane

Aaron sleeping on the plane

Jill giving my Mom the evil eye while she ate her pizza

Well we made it to Chicago, and yes it is very very very cold. And let me forewarn you, if the blog makes no sense it's because I've been up since 3:30 am...anyway....so security wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, the only thing that threw me off was that they made me take off Aaron and Jill's shoes, I mean really what can fit in those? An M&M? Tic Tac? Boarding sucked...Southwest apparently does not believe in the family board, so Scott got stuck on the plane trying to put in two carseats and I was outside the plane just chillin'....the flight itself was pretty good, Jill got bored the last 45 minutes, so that was rough. Other than that it was good. Well I'm kind of blocked right now, I think it's the sheer lack of sleep, but hope all is well with you!

Making my list and checking it twice...

...I already know who's been naughty and nice :) So this week is going to be a little crazy, we are trying to get ready for our first big trip. We are flying to Chicago on Wednesday so trying to get everything in order has proven to be quite the challenge. I'm OCD as it is and have serious control issues, so this whole process is making me insane. Not to mention that all the original plans have been changed, so now it's back to square one with zero time (we were originally going to drive, but with the weather being crazy, you know how that goes). The good thing is I don't have to worry about the big items, my parents have taken care of finding high chairs and pack and plays (woo woo!). Plus they will have diapers and other necessities there, which really helps. I am a little miffed we are flying Southwest (every control freaks worst nightmare) but Airtran has decided to start charging for the first bag, so Airtran you officially suck! At least if the kids scream it will be expected.

In other news...Jill has started to do the army crawl and can push herself up into a sitting position. Aaron is Aaron, he'll do it when he pleases. Ok well, I should stop procrastinating and get down to business, hope all is well! Oh and the photos above are from their 6 month photos/Christmas photos.