And we are off!!
We headed to Charlotte on December 19. Oh man it was crazy getting there.
First off our flight was delayed by a couple of hours, but we had a 3 hour layover, so it wasn't going to affect us much and I was liking the fact that we had less time to wait before flights...man was I wrong!
Our flight from Phoenix to Minneapolis was great. We all had our electronics to keep us occupied for the couple hour flight. But once we landed it soon became a nightmare...
Our flight kept on getting delayed (Holiday travel + horrible East Coast weather was not in our favor)
Finally after a 5 hour delay we got on the plane, this was going to get us in at midnight. We tried to keep ourself occupied! But it was freezing in the airport and our little Arizona bodies didn't like it much! We were also so tired and bored and just wanted to get to Grandma's and Grandpa's!
 |
| Several people around us were taking selfies. It was hilarious to watch! We were laughing so hard at one lady that would change positions and re-pucker her lips for 100+ selfies, so we started doing pucker lip photos of ourself--kinda out of mockery of what was going on all around us. I was laughing so hard that people started staring at us. Whatever it takes to keep us occupied during a long delay! |
We got the carseats buckled and the kids settled when the flight attendant come on the overhead and said "The pilot is delayed and wont be here for another 1.5 hours. We need everyone to get off the plane and we will start boarding when he gets here." I was NOT HAPPY! At this point my pregnancy sickness was at its peak and to think that we still had 4-5 hours left of traveling that night made me sick to my stomach. When the flight attendant said that I turned to Jake and said "We are getting a hotel. We are not going to Charlotte tonight!" (It would of gotten us into Charlotte at about 3 AM and I did not want my parents to worry or have to pick us up when they already have such a crazy schedule which doesn't include a lot of sleep)
So after a battle we were able to connivence Delta that they needed to provide us with a room. They did along with $150 for food and they rescheduled us for late the next morning.
We ended up staying at a hotel at Mall of America, which I have always wanted to go to! I was excited. But by the time we got checked in it was about 11 PM, so I wasn't able to enjoy it. We ordered some food and went to bed. The next morning things were more favorable and we were able to bypass security and hop right on our plane refreshed (other than wearing our same clothing and not having any luggage with us to really freshen up-but at least we slept well. The crazy thing was that I had packed in each of our carry on bags pjs and a change of clothing but that morning I decided I was over thinking things and put them in our checked luggage. I wish I would of listened to myself!)
***
My parents picked us up from the airport and we headed right to this really fun toy store so the kids could pick out what they wanted for Christmas from Gma and Gpa. They had a blast! We then grabbed some Mexican food and headed home to bed.
***
The next day we headed to Lazy 5 Ranch. This was such a fun day!
We rode around in an open wagon pulled by ox. Once we got past the gate the animals started attacking. It was so funny, intense and so fun!
The Ostriches were so aggressive...they wanted to eat!!!
 |
| Macy was very timid for obvious reasons. But she loved dropping the food on the back for the goats. |
Feeding the Giraffes were amazing!
 |
| Even Macy decided to get in on this action. She even giggled! |
***
On Sunday we traveled with my parents to Greensboro/Winston Salem for the Christmas tour.
It was so fun and so amazing. I loved every minute I had with the missionaries. My kids loved it more than anyone. They just ate up all the attention. This is one of my favorite pictures. Notice Kaiden with all the missionaries, he even has on one of Grandpa extras name tags. He can't wait to be a REAL missionary someday. I love that we have been able to provide this experience for our children. I really feel like it has deepened their testimonies and they will have memories of how they felt for the rest of their lives. I am so grateful my parents are serving a mission and we could be apart of it. What an example they have been to my family.
The assistants put together a really fun game of Jeopardy based upon the mission and my parents. It was hilarious. I loved seeing the love and respect the missionaries have for my parents. I just wish I could be a fly on the wall during their entire 3 years.
After the game we went to the chapel and had a fireside. It was amazing. Then we went to the foyer and my parents and kids dressed up like Santa and his reindeer and gave out Christmas gifts and hugs.
 |
*** The next morning my parents and the rest of the office staff went to meet with a couple more missionary groups within the mission. Because the program was the same for each mission area we decided that the kids might not be corporative so we went our own way. Our little family stayed up in Old Salem and toured. The kids and I had already been up there, but Jake hadn't so we took Daddy around. We had such a great time. We started the morning off at a yummy family owned breakfast diner. |
We went to the RJ Reynolds Mansion and toured the property around Salem.
One of my favorite towns is Old Salem. I was excited for Jake to see it. Its so enchanting.
Unfortunately because it was the day before Christmas Eve most things were closed. But we were still able to walk around and see a lot.
We got our fresh spring water from the pump--a tradition!
I was able to go to my favorite Moravian shop and get some more Christmas ornaments.
We found the most beautiful hidden cemetery not far from Old Salem's Main Street. It was so beautiful. I find so much beauty and peace in cemeteries now. We drove and walked around the beautiful ground amazed by dates and names from long ago.
***
Later that night we took Daddy to our favorite place to eat. Dean & DeLuca. We also got some yummy specialty chocolate ($85 per lb) but we only got a couple pieces and man was it worth the $5.00.
We then headed to McAdenville to see the lights. McAdenville is known for it Christmas lights and displays. Almost the entire town is decorated, lite up with music playing every where. This was a really neat and totally unique experience. We were really happy we were able to squeeze it in. What a beautiful town!
***
The next day was Christmas Eve, and of course I started getting sick with a nasty cold. So I wasn't feeling great along with pregnancy sickness.
We have a family tradition to have Chinese food for dinner, so that is exactly what we did. My parents invited some of the missionaries over.
After dinner we went out caroling in my parents neighborhood. All the missionaries in the Charlotte Mission were out caroling that night in there areas. It was a really neat experience.
Our children loved it!
It wiped Macy out once we got home.
We then had our traditional Birthday Party for Jesus with the missionaries and had a lovely dessert as we burned down our candle.
After the missionaries left we tried to complete the Christmas Eve traditions, but failed. The kids were so tired so we didn't get much done that night. But they didn't mind one bit!
We gave Grandma and Grandpa our yearly ornament that reminds us of our Angel Millee. How we missed her this year. It was really hard on me not having her with us. But I loved feeling her close by.
***
Christmas morning our traditional Reindeer Milk arrived. Grandpa almost wrecked the milk tradition and we almost wrecked Grandpa's surprise to Grandma. It was really funny! (What are you hiding behind your back Dad?! Bahaha!!)
We had the Assistants and some Sisters over for Christmas dinner. My mom makes the most amazing dinner of Prime Rib each Christmas. We always have 'crackers'--its a tradition--thats why we are all wearing our crowns. It was a fantastic dinner. I sadly was feeling even worse this night but still had a great time.
The kids loved playing and reading with Grandma and Grandpa all Christmas Day long.
***
The next day I was sooo sick. I stayed on the couch all day and the kids played with their new toys/makeup/dress-ups. Daddy was able to relax and get school studying done.
***
My parents took us to the Nascar Hall of Fame Museum. It was educational and really fun. We were able to do Nascar simulators--I am a horrible driver!
The kids loved everything about this day.
***
We headed up to Concord and stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. It was decorated for New Years Eve. It is the most amazing and kid friendly hotel. We had the a fabulous time. We literally walked around in our PJ's or swimsuits for two days.
 |
| The lobby |
In the lobby they had several programs and activities going on for the kids all through out the day and evening.
It snowed in the lobby every couple of hours.
The kids had their face painted.
The hotel has a game throughout the hotel called "Qwest". My kids loved this game. You buy magical wands and then go through out the hotel finding clues and opening up magical treasure chest with your wand to find the next clue. You had to finish your qwest to go onto the next. It kept them occupied for hours. Even Grandpa got in on the fun.
Grandpa and the kids rolling to their rooms.
***
Our room was awesome! It had a cabin within our room. The kids thought this was the best thing ever. They loved camping!
Grandpa is too funny and too big!
Inside the hotel is a huge indoor heated water park. We played and played and played. It was so much fun. The water slides were so fun and one was way to crazy for me. There was a perfect mix of little kids rides and big kid rides. Everyone was so happy and had so much fun. (until grandpa puked!)
We played until close and then got dressed to head home.
But when we got to the lobby they were having a huge dance party that we had to participate in for a little bit.
We ordered Cheesecake factory on our way home. We ate and celebrated New Years early and went to bed. It was such a great time. I highly recommend going to this hotel!
***
Funny story. I bought a new professional travel size dry shampoo. I hadn't used it before. I spayed it in my hair and nothing... I even sprayed in on my arm but it felt like air was the only thing coming out. I sprayed my hair again, disappointed that it was broken and then left the bathroom to make the bed. About 5 minutes later Kaiden came in to ask me something. As I turned to talk to him his eyes got huge and he said "What's wrong with your hair?!?" I looked in the mirror and realized that my hair was completely white. I guess it takes a minute to show up after you spray it. Jake thought it was the funniest thing he took pics before I got in the shower to wash it out. Haha!
***
My Mom took the kids and me to the Discovery Museum in Charlotte. It's a really neat museum.
***
Grandpa took Maggie and Kaiden to run an errand one day. I kept on getting emails from my Dad with pictures of all the things they were doing on their 'quick run to Walgreens'
***
Sadly our 16 day trip had to come to an end. We were so sad. I am sure the people in the airport thought we were crazy. I was bawling along with Kaiden and Maggie. I hate good-byes.
Luckily our flights were on time and we were able to get home without any problems.
We had such a wonderful time in Charlotte and with my parents. It was such a beautiful experience to be in the mission home over Christmas. My parents spoiled us rotten. I loved every minute of it and wish I could go back or just live there with them. I felt bad I was so sick, it kinda slowed things down and really slowed me down, but none-the-less there is no better place to be than with your Mama when you don't feel well.
We are so blessed and will remember this trip forever.
