Holiday Traveling

The kids and I had a very fun time visiting family in Utah. (Lots of pictures to come.)
But our flight home was a little crazy. Lets just say Plane Problems! We were supposed to leave at5:50pm but the plane was late coming in so we got on about 6:30pm. We got on then we waited while one person unloaded all the bags and then loaded all of our bags . We finally started trailering to one terminal then the wind changed and we went to the next one. Then the pilot got on the intercom and said the brakes were too hot so we had to wait till they cooled off. Then they decided we better go back and get a mechanic to check them. At this point most passengers were going crazy because they were missing there connecting flights and the crew told people to call the NWA number to get other flights lined up. We did not know at this point if the plane would even fly.
Anyway there was a lot of waiting, and waiting by my self with three tired kids and no food. The airplane only had a few snacks on it from the previous flight so they were charging big money for the few items they had. ( they were trying to save time at the first by not cleaning it out and not restocking it- little did they know they had plenty of time.) They did give us some water.

Anyway Jocelyn watched 2 movies before we even got off the ground, Ellie fell asleep across our whole row and Caden walked up and down the plane isle making lots of friends. They finally got the paper work done from the mechanic and we started taxing again. We ended up getting in the air about 11:30 pm. followed by a plane full of people erupting in clapping. It was only 2 hours after we were supposed to be landed in Minneapolis. As soon as we got off Caden and Jocie fell asleep. Caden tossing and turning in my arms.

We get to Minneapolis about 3;30Am with the time change. I have to wake up the kids load up the stroller and head to baggage claim. Where the whole flight thought their luggage was lost. (luckily it did finally come in at a different place than they told us.) I loaded the luggage on a smart cart and had Ellie push the stroller. ( Ellie had the most sleep and she was a little happier than the rest.) A nice man in uniform saw our crazy train and offer to push my luggage a bout a mile to the place where shuttles pick you up to take you to the park and ride lot. We get on the shuttle make it to our car. The car is frozen Popsicle with the last few nights being - 30 and below with wind chill. Luckily it started. Got everything loaded, scraped the car, fingers feel like there going to fall off, Kids SCREAMING in the car because they are so cold (and tired). Pay the guy at the park and ride then drive 1 1/2 hours to home. Talked to my mom most the way home to stay a wake.

Finally pull in our driveway about 4:50 AM. Get stuck in our big pile of snow in front of the driveway. Felt bad to Wake up Jeff to help me out, but it was only a few minutes before his alarm went off at 5 am. Jeff helped unload the car and kids. Then we talked for a few minutes before he went to work and I went to bed. What a Night! All and all the kids did great. Thanks for all your prayers for us. I was especially grateful Caden did OK, since he was sick earlier throwing up and had the other end stuff too, the night before and that day. Thank goodness he felt a lot better and we did not have any of that! Anyway we made it!!!!! After a really long story and very Tired Mom! Home Sweet Home!