We Made It... Somehow!!

My wonderful sister Renee came out last weekend and stayed with us for a few days. During that time, I felt like I had a nanny! She watched the boys all the time for me! I was able to do some shopping, run my errands, design our Christmas cards, pack, cook and everything else I wanted! It was fantastic!

On Tuesday, she flew with me and the boys to California for a nice long Christmas break. Flying with the boys has always been a little difficult obviously, but it certainly gets harder and harder as they get older and more active. This time was the worst by far. We are giving a bunch of baby equipment to my sister and brother-in-law for their baby so in addition to my bag, the boys' bag, the pack n' play, their two ginormous car seats, the diaper bag, my sister's bag, AND the double stroller we also brought a huge 50 pound duffel bag and one of the boys' old infant car seats to California with us because it was the cheapest way to get it to them. We must have looked ridiculous as we struggled through security with the boys and all our carry-on luggage. Our flight was an hour and a half late taking off so the boys were literally falling asleep sitting up as we were waiting to board the plane. Once on the plane, the first flight was great though because they slept the entire time. We had a layover in Chicago and just barely made our connection which was boarding as our other plane landed. We had to race to catch our flight and had no time to get any lunch, and I guess Southwest is one of the only airlines that doesn't have any sandwiches or food for sale on cross-country flights.

The boys were awake and overactive on the second flight, they wouldn't sit still at all. They were trying to touch everything, crawl around, and peer at other passengers. I'm really embarrassed to admit this, but they each fell off the seat once. Neither of them was hurt thankfully, I caught Jack before he hit the floor, but poor Cullen just tumbled right off before we could catch him. Ooops!! I am still waiting for Child Protective Services to show up at my Mom's house and take my kids away.

About halfway through, they got extremely bored and fussy. We spent a couple hours walking them up and down the aisle. And I think they must have gotten together and decided to hold their poop in for a few days and then let it all out on the plane. And, of course, even though they haven't peed through their clothes in months, Cullen peed all over himself and every single article of clothing he had on as I was changing his poopy diaper in the airplane bathroom. I had to take him out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a diaper and holding his sopping wet clothes. I had also forgotten to pack spare pants (Mom of the Year right here) so I just put him in a onesie and wrapped him in a blanket when we got off the plane. And my poor, pregnant sister endured 10 hours of traveling with two antsy 11 month olds, nausea and no food!!! What a trooper she was! We were both completely exhausted once we landed, I was SO relieved it was all over! But God was good to us and we made it through the long day. We've been recovering for the past two days and I somehow still feel exhausted!

Here are some pictures from our flight:

Cullen watching the airplanes

Jack

We flew over the Grand Canyon and we had the most incredible view of it!! It was breathtakingly beautiful!! These pictures don't do it justice

Jack loved looking out the window, he's just woken up from his 2 hour nap in this picture.

Brandon comes on Thursday and I can't wait to see him! He's been studying like a mad man for the past month, I barely laid eyes on him the last week I was there. I don't know how he does it, I would have totally burnt out long before finals, but Brandon just keeps plugging along studying 12+ hours a day. Words can't even express how much I'm looking forward to just relaxing with my husband during Christmas break. Law school is tough on both of us!