Home from Beantown

We arrived in our driveway last night a little after six last night from our adventure to Boston. It was Reed's really first BIG vacation, which in my terms is defined by actually having to fly to get to your destination. The four of us jumped into Micah's car (wouldn't want the Caddie to get dinged at airport parking!) and headed for the airport in Des Moines. I had everything printed out before so we only needed to check our bags and go thru security. Like a wise guy, Mike just had to dress like Charlie Sheen -- complete with shirt, shorts, sandals and sunglasses. Needless to say he got pulled aside and they screened him to see if his hands had any signs of drugs on them. Once we got through all that we headed to our gate and boarded the plane. We got settled aboard a very small plane -- 3 seats across. Micah's eyes got big and he said, "I've never flown on such a small plane!" Once we were all boarded, the flight attendant announced that due to a mechanical problem, we all had to "de-plane" for them to check out the issue. This was causing a little stress, not only because we wanted a safe flight but we had very little time to connect once we got to Milwaukee. We boarded again after the "all clear" about 15 minutes later. Once we landed in Milwaukee we found that the connecting flight to Boston had been delayed due to the heavy rains out East so we had just enough time to grab a quick lunch -- and I do mean quick! Once we boarded the plane to Boston, we got the perk of having free DirecTV since our flight was delayed.

Upon our arrival in Boston, we got our bags and headed to the rental car area. It was then that we remembered that we had forgotten our Garmin in Micah's car in Des Moines. Sooo, we upgraded the car to have a navigation system -- very smart move. I don't know how we would have gotten around that crazy place with just a map! It is quite possible that the children would have come back with just one parent -- not sure who would win out on that one! Once we got used to what the navigation system describes as "slight right" and making a "legal U-turn" we arrived at our hotel. By this time, I was starving. We called Domino's and had a pizza, cinnamon sticks and a very large diet Coke delivered to the room. I unpacked and Mike and Reed went on the hunt for ice while we waited for the pizza to arrive. Upon the arrival of the food it was quickly devoured and the boys went back to their room and we all fell into bed -- exhausted.

There is so much to tell about our vacation that I think I will post in increments and end for now. Sorry there are no pictures for the travel day but running to and fro and trying to get things packed and to gates on time doesn't leave time for many pictures so you'll just have to use your imagination! Later!