With all of our flying in 2017, we hadn't had an "interesting" travel day...until December 17 when we left our Mexico home for Portland home. Perhaps the dense fog on the way to the airport should have tipped me off that our flight might be delayed, but I was blissfully unaware. Overall, it just wasn't a smooth travel day. First, while we were in the middle of filling out our five "exiting the country" forms, the visa worker left the office before we had finished our forms, and put a "will return in 15 minutes" sign on the door. Who does that? I was completely indignant, not to mention stressed about time. However, it soon became apparent that time wouldn't be an issue, as our flight take off time kept being delayed because of nublina (fog in English...a word that has been solidified in all our brains thanks to this trip). Thankfully, as soon as we learned that our flight had been delayed, we preemptively decided to try to get our flight from Los Angeles to Portland changed, not wanting to risk a fast connection, with customs and three kids. A miracle of miracle: they had 5 seats left on a later flight and we were able to change our flight to make it to Portland that evening. We finally left Monterrey for LA four hours late. The only other hitch was that the airline had trouble printing our new tickets: first in Monterrey, then again after 45 minutes of waiting at a ticket counter in LA (remember, this was already after 4 hour delay in our first airport...there was a lot of waiting for us that day). They finally got our tickets printed, but when we reached our gate, they wouldn't work. So, we waited again and were literally the last people on the plane as the airline attendants finally just let us on without proper tickets. Very stressful, but thankfully all worked out.
During our four hour delay Ben and the boys discovered the game of risk on his phone, and I marveled at how fun the boys' complicated colored dot-to-dots are.
But, at the end of it all, we were home. We were greeted by Ben's family, including Josh's best friend and cousin Ellie who sprinted across the airport to give him a big hug. The rental car upgraded us to a van for free (there was no way all our bags were going to fit into a standard car) and then all headed out to pizza. What a long travel day, but well worth it to be home!
Ellie and Joshy
Our first full day at home was packed full of fun and family. In the morning, I grabbed us groceries and we all got reacquainted with our home. Then we were ready to go out and get our Christmas tree. Apparently the Pacific NW had a shortage of Christmas trees this year, and we could only find one Christmas tree farm open for u-cut. However, it ended up being a pretty neat place and not too far from home.
It wasn't even raining as we headed out to find the perfect tree.
There is it! And yes, it was enormous.
We've always been known for getting trees a bit too large
We continued the tradition of the kids getting a smaller tree for their room as well.
Two trees in the car, we headed home and my parents arrived there shortly afterwards to stay for the next four nights. Reunions with family are so sweet. Late that afternoon we all drove together to meet my sister and her family at zoo lights.
Titi and Papa at zoolights
Zoolights are so awesome!
Such a good daddy
The elephants were in a playful mood and were chasing each other and balancing on logs. That was pretty special to see.
Blurry, but I was so happy to be reunited with my sister! I sure do miss living close to my best friend!
The whole group (minus my mom)
Cousins back together
That's a whole lot of grandchildren!
The cousins
The Morris family
The Plato family
Our day wasn't even done yet: we grabbed some take-out Thai food for dinner, then headed back home to decorate the tree.
It was quite the tree...our best yet! In fact, it was so heavy that Ben had to drill the stand into a piece of plywood to keep the tree from tipping over.
The next couple days the kids and I laid low at the house with my parents while Ben went to work at the Portland office.
My dad joined the boys in our back yard for some hoops.
My mom helped the boys make Christmas crafts.
One evening we met Ben's parents in downtown Portland for pizza. Afterwards my mom, mom-in-law and I headed home for a Christmas movie and wrapping presents.
Meanwhile all the men headed to a Blazer game.
It was special to have both grandfathers there!
The next day we celebrated Ruda Christmas. My sister's family came to our house to open gifts and have a Christmas meal together.
Grandparent picture: it wasn't until later that night that we realized Aidah is not in the picture. Major photo fail.
Morris family picture
Plato family picture (Aidah included)
I love how the twins still wear their Santa hats during gift opening. The twins got new Seahawks jerseys and Josh a snoopy shirt from Papa and Titi.
Great picture of my dad!
The twins also received watches. Now they don't have to ask me the time constantly now!
Uncle Tom and Aunt Julie got Josh and Edmund cars, and they immediately ran into the kitchen to play with them. Josh and Edmund had a blast playing together and spent most the evening running around the house with pretend guns shooting things. It was so cute.
Christmas craft with the kids. Edmund and Josh were too busy playing to participate.
I know it is blurry, but I love the joy and laughter on the kids' faces.
Showing off their completed trees. I love how each one is so unique!
(Miriam 11, Clara 7, Aidah 9, Sam and Seth 8)
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