Tuesday, December 23, 2008

a tale of Christmas

This year we decided for Christmas to go from this...

To THIS:)

After waiting in the minneapolis/st paul airport from 945 am to 415 pm, we were finally able to take off...we always seem to pick snowy days for travel, and that day started a storm that left 8 inches on the ground. Thank God that msp interntational airport is geared for this kind of weather. All the flights that originated in the airport were on time, all the flights that were coming in from the stormy parts of the country, well, that is why we were in the airport for 6 1/2 hours. The kids did great for the most part, only a little bit of fussing, and they slept for the most part on the plane. It was great to get away from the snow and cold to go and meet John's family in Oahu for Christmas. Except for one thing, his parents, didn't have such a great story. Their flight which was coming from Minneapolis, and then continuing on to Honolulu. Well, since all the flights seemed to be delayed, they thought they would try to help us out by seeing if we could switch to get on their flight so they could help us take care of the babies. Again, thanks for God's providence, it didn't work out. They spent 4 hours on the tarmac in Seattle only to be cancelled and told they couldn't take off because the runway was too slippery-there was a blizzard in Seattle that day. Northworst airlines didn't try to rebook them, didn't give them any recompense to stay in a hotel, and told them they were on their own...so we went on line here in Hawaii to try to rebook them, and got them a flight on Hawaiian airlines the next day. In the meantime, it was extremely difficult for them to retrieve their luggage, and they were only to get one, it seems, the luggage made it to Hawaii but they didn't. Well, the day came to leave and all the airlines in the Seattle airport ran out of deicing fluid...nice. Thousands of people left without a lot of options. So they cancelled them again at the last minute, and there were no flights left to get them here before or on Christmas. They had to drive home over a snowy pass. So now, instead of a nice Christmas with John's family, we are here with his brother and his wife in a nice place...just not the way it is supposed to be. Nice to be with his brother, but our babies will have to wait to see Nana and Papa...I guess we'll have to do our best to enjoy Hawaii...we'll miss you Nana and Papa!!!






4 comments:

Rachel said...

LOOKS AMAZING!!! We went to Kauai and Maui for our honeymoon...can't wait to go back one day (when our kids are MUCH older...kudos for making that trek). I am so sorry to hear his parents can't make it. I guess you'll all have to try again in the summer.

Maria said...

Have I mentioned I LOVE your bloggy makeover? Well, I do. Now, I'm SERIOUSLY jealous of the sun and obvious warm temps where you are because I'm COLD here in Tennessee. I'm so sorry the g'parents couldn't make it. What a shame!! I hope you guys have a great time. Merry Christmas.

Jackie said...

Still sorry for you that John's parents did not make it. I'm glad you're making the best of it and enjoying the beautiful scenery and fabulous weather.

Merry Christmas, friends. Miss you.

Jackie

Margaret and Tom said...

Wow! Those pictures are awesome!
It looks like a wonderful time and a great place to be for Christmas magic!