When Kai and Rori were little we flew quite a bit, but since moving to Vegas and being in easier driving distance we haven't really flown much as a family for awhile. This meant that the kids were extra excited to fly. Rori gets the enthusiasm award as she was so super cute about finally get to go on an airplane again. She talked about it for weeks leading up to the trip and was constant smiles at the airport. This was Zuri's first airplane trip- I guess that is what happens when you are the 3rd child (considering Kai had been to HI twice, IL, and probably several San Diego trips by the same age). Taking a 17 month old on a plane has the potential to be pretty tough, but we were thrilled that Zuri decided to cooperate for the most part and actually did really well. She isn't super interested in movies yet, so that means entertainment can be fairly exhausting. It helped that she agreed to take a good nap both ways to help give us some breaks. Kai and Rori were great little travelers. They read, colored, played on the iPad and iPhone, watched movies, and enjoyed their airplane snacks.
*Kai's buddy Evan gave him a 3D Space Book for the trip. So sweet!
We flew in to Bloomington on Thursday so Lance could spend some time in LeRoy before heading down to Chicago on his own for his meetings. My Mom flew in Friday to join us which was so fun. Dad had been back in September so he stayed home with Whitney. We wish traveling wasn't so hard for Whit so he and Whit could have joined us. We were all in love with the Fall colors and fallen leaves everywhere. Everyone had their Halloween decorations out and it really was great to finally experience some actual Fall.
Uncle Brud and Matt were right in the midst of their harvesting which Kai was thrilled about. They even let him go out and join them one day in the fields. Kai was in heaven riding in the combine and taking loads in the semi. He would have happily done that with them forever. It was fun to see all the tractors out and going in the fields as we drove around. It was also neat to see the school's in session where Grandma and Grandpa and everyone else went to school. It was easy to imagine my parents growing up on the very streets we were driving around.
*Sorry Grandpa Utah and Tyler- only John Deere for Farming.
We had a great time being with our family and were especially excited for everyone to meet Zuri and for us to meet my cousins new little ones Quinn and Joslyn. Thanks to Quinn and Joslyn Aunt Peg's house was stocked with toys which our kids thought was awesome. We spent lots of time visiting and eating yummy meals while the kids had a blast playing.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express again in LeRoy which was great. It is right down the road from Great Grandma and Grandpa's and has a really great breakfast each morning. We were especially excited by the pancake maker which produced warm light and fluffy pancakes with the push of 1 button. Genius I tell you. So much easier, faster, and less messy than those waffle machines hotels usually have. We also loved the indoor swimming pool right across from our room. I didn't even think about packing bathing suits with the 5000 other things we were bringing, so big thanks to Aunt Peg who rounded these ones up for the kids.
Family has always been so important and dear to Lance and I, but after this summer getting to be with everyone meant a lot. I love that our kids have the same love for it there that I have always felt. There were lots of tears on the car ride to the airport. Oh how we wish that we could smash together all the people and places we love in to easy driving distance.
We were a bit nervous about our flights home since Hurricane Sandy was just gearing up on the East Coast. In Bloomington Zuri got some pre flight wiggles out checking out the airport and going up and down the escalator. When we arrived in Detroit we sat on the plane for a bit waiting for a gate to open due to the storm. Since we didn't have much time between our flights this did cause us to make a quick long dash through the airport there. Adding to the excitement was the moving sidewalk tunnel thing pictures below which included techno music and flashing changing colors. Nothing calming about that thing. We made it in time to hit the bathroom and grab some dinner to go right next to our gate. Considering all the effects Sandy had on flights over the next few days we feel very fortunate.
