The Last Hurrah!

So, if you've read Tif's blog then you have a basic update about our latest family adventures.  No promises but I may post a few pics and add more details about the wonderful time we had in Texas this past week.  It's late and I'm tired but thought I'd mention the trip home.

You can imagine the scene.  The stares from onlookers ranged from admiration to pity and everything in between as we navigated our way through the airport....all eight of us.  Each 'duckling' strapped on their backpacks and pulled their wheeled suitcases through the maze of people and commotion while I 'wore' Quinn, tried to hold Elsie's hand and handle a few other items.  Aaron had double-duty with larger suitcases, a carseat, camera, etc.  Due to construction at the airport, there was no curb-side check-in which added to our fun.  I don't need to tell you how long it took us to go through security taking off shoes, jackets, belts, backpacks, computers and such!  And then there is always the 'hurry up and wait at the gate' game.  A few more diapers to change.  A baby to feed. The plane finally arrives.  We strategically make the seating assignments amongst the kids and wait some more.   Did I mention our flight was out at 2pm and Elsie was REALLY tired?  Didn't matter how many snacks or gadgets were packed in our bag of tricks this time around.  Aaron did his best to entertain Elsie while I had a work-out of my own with Quinn.  Then Jantzen decided his tummy hurt along with his ears (he's super sensitive to pressure changes).  

We were all happy to land and deplane in Salt Lake a few hours later.  The plan was for Aaron to take Quinn and get the Yukon in long term parking while I took the other five, picked up everything at baggage claim and met him outside in the pick-up area.  A few potty stops along the way and an overly tired toddler...but we got the luggage and somehow managed to get it to our designated location.  I was actually feeling pretty proud of myself for accomplishing such a feat when Aaron called to say the battery was dead (it was a NEW battery!).  More fun.  He would try to call my parents and hang out in long-term parking waiting for a good samaritan to come along.  That is when Jantzen discovered he left his new ball cap on the plane and was nearly in tears.  Moments later he started pointing (and I thought it was at the guy with all the earrings) for he spotted our very own Bishop Klingler with his wife and daughter. They were just returning from Florida themselves.  After noticing us, they came to learn of our plight and Bishop caught the next shuttle out to long-term parking to get his own car and meet Aaron.  Who was it that said there is no such thing as a coincidence?  Tender mercies abound!

That wasn't the end of our journey because we still had a 3-4 hour drive ahead complete with more tears, more potty stops, more feedings, more stinky diapers, more "I'm hungry's"...but we sure felt grateful for the Lord's tender mercy that evening.

Aaron boarded another plane at 6am this morning.  I remembered it was my Sunday to teach the Relief Society lesson.  And it was another party getting the sleepyheads out of bed for 9am church today.  

I think I need a vacation.  Alone. :)