Our family doesn’t travel much, and when we do go places it is always very local. We camp, we find vacation rentals and ever so often a hotel w a pool.
My parents surprised us with a all expense paid cruise to Mexico for the whole family and today we are at the beginning of our adventure.
I am such an OCD type that I had most of our things packed last weekend, then lists made just to be sure we didn’t forget anything vital (which I’m sure we did). We hemmed and hawed about whether or not to bring Erin’s car seat, but needed it for the shuttle so had that. The stroller was also iffy but I’m so glad we brought it because the airport is big and two year olds aren’t always fans of walking.
The animals had been arranged for, work time taken off, our friend Suzanne drove us all to the ferry and we were on our way without a hitch!
Well best laid plans…she. We got to the airport and there was some sort of car fire that had smoke billowing up to where we were being dropped off. Smelled just like when my brother and I would burn models and fisher price people in the cul-de-sac when we were little. There was a ton of smoke but surprisingly no drama in the airport because of it. Sirens came quickly and the smoke was gone.
As we were taking our herd (Dee and I, Nana and Papa, Levi, Carlos, Trey and Erin) to the TSA checkpoint, the agent thought it would be a good idea to separate Dee, Erin and I from the rest of the group. My poor folks got stuck taking The Boys through and poor Carlos was so anxious to be apart from us. Super fun getting the toddler out of the stroller, our shoes off, all toiletries out and then be picked for a random hand wiping explosives detection scan only to have to try to get her back into the stroller and get everything put back into the bags and catch up with the others.
We grabbed a tasty bite to eat at Wolfgang Puck Express (yum yum!) and were just about to slam to the gate when we realized that Dee didn’t have her id. We knew she got through security with it, but she searched her bags and pockets and it was nowhere to be found. Let the panic start! Carlos was sure Dee wasn’t going to be able to come, Trey and Levi kept telling Dee to check here or there…only trying to help but clearly adding to the stress and Erin wanted out of her stroller. Twenty five minutes before boarding, have to have id in order to get on the cruise and it’s gone. We left the kids (all but anxious Carlos!) at the gate with the grandparents and back tracked to the restaurant, customer service, Alaska desk and finally TSA. I have to say, our tensions were high and the lady at TSA was awesome. She calmly said, “I remember you guys. Now before we go over to the security lane you were in, let’s just take a minute to look through your things again.” Dee started emptying out her bag and for some reason, took her shoe off and there it was. Whew! Crisis averted!
We speed walked back to the gate just in time for a potty stop and diaper change for Erin. We got to board first and get situated easily. This is Erin’s first flight and the look on her face when we were taking off was priceless. She said, “here we go!” In pure toddler excitement and a huge smile on her face. We are now half way to LA where we will meet up with my brother, sister in law and nephew and stay one night in a hotel before we head to the cruise ship In the morning.
I Am more than ready for some cocktails poolside!
Kinda love this photo, too…Carlos is journaling the trip! Will be fun to share his version of the trip with everyone.
Three Scurvy Dogs a Wee Lass (and their Mamas) 