An unforgettable Christmas

Last minute we decided to go to Florida. It really was last minute because we weren't sure if we would get on a flight until the night before. My parents had a timeshare for the week in Orlando and the Allen's (my sister and her family who live in TX) were driving so we wanted to go to be there with them. Free flights and free stay...we were there! The flight from SLC to NY was the red eye. We left at midnight and got to NY at 5:30am. I didn't sleep much worried that Sterling would bother the lady next to him as he is sprawled out (when we fly standby none of us sit next to each other except Sterling and me. I'm sure people wonder where are their parents? Luckily, my kids are good flyers and enjoy watching TV and the snacks/drink.) We arrive in NY and need to take the flight to Orlando at 6. Six seats are available (Paul could jumpseat) so we could get on but all the seats are in the exit row which our kids can't sit in so they told us if people will move, we can get on. Paul goes and asks the flight attendants and they said they would do it but then the front desk employee said "I am not taking a delay for this!" so she wouldn't let us on. Flight leaves, we are stuck at the airport. No problem, next flight is in an hour and half. Time to board that flight...it is full so we wait for the next flight for an hour. That flight is full so we wait for the next flight which is in 3 hours. At this point, my kids are getting bored and frustrated that we can't get on. Breanna and Kailene start to cry and say "Why won't they let us on the flight? Why is everyone else getting on the flight?" They did not quite understand the concept of standby. We decided to play some card games and Paul and some kids got some zzz's. Carolers came by and lighted the mood. Who can be in a bad mood when carolers are singing in the airport? They used traditional songs and changed them inserting JetBlue. It was cute and creative.

Finally, we got on the flight at 12:30 (7 hours in the JFK airport) and arrive in Florida. Audralyn (my sister) and Mark pick us up at the airport and we head to the hotel. The weather is nice so we all go for a swim. The hotel is beautiful and equipped with many swimming pool, lazy rivers, slides, and lots of hot tubs. That night we eat spaghetti and get a good night sleep.

Day 2: The plan was to go to Universal Studios aka Harry Potter park but Ava (Audralyn's daughter) got sick so Paul and the boys went and we stayed at the hotel. Girls played in the pools for hours. From the boys' reports, it was the best park. Fun and crazy rides. Harry Potter exceeding all their expectations. Of course, the best was when my mom got wet(long story but hilarious, one of the best part of our trip!). Even 5 hours later when they got back, she was still damp. Lots of laughs. All came home and adults went out to dinner.

Day 3: The girls and I went to Magic Kingdom with the Allens (my parents were leaving and had two extra tickets). I stayed with the younger kids going on the small rides while everyone went on the big rides. There is nothing like Disney World. Four parks and all incredible rides. It was fun singing on the train "Santa Claus is coming to town". Went out to dinner with everyone after the park.

Day 4: Going home. We packed up and went to the airport. Once in JFK, only one seat available so we decided to get a hotel for Christmas Eve. I have never been to New York so this was exciting to me but when I opened up the drapes in the hotel, not much to see. I still sang "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys

New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of

There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York

We decided to order pizza at 11pm and read from Luke 2 and then watch the Christmas Story on TV while all the kids go to sleep. I am grateful we could spend Christmas Eve together even if it wasn't at home.

Day 5 (Christmas Day): We wake up early to catch the shuttle to the airport. First flight out to Las Vegas was at 7am. We figured we could then catch a flight to Long Beach and then to Salt Lake. We just wanted to get closer to SL. If worst case, we could rent a car and drive 6 hours home. Couldn't get on that flight (a blessing later). Next flight out was to Burbank, CA. The front desk employee calls up Talbot party of 7 and says "We have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven seats available!" Are you kidding me? It was a Christmas miracle! Only 7 seats available. We flew from New York to California. This was a long flight (almost 6 hours). Most of the kids slept but Preston sure did get mad when his TV stopped working. It was a long, hard flight for mom. Now all we have to do is get to Long Beach and we are home free. Long Beach is about 30 minutes from Burbank. There is a train that we could take but it is not running on Christmas Day so we take a shuttle from Burbank to Long Beach. We get to the airport in plenty of time to catch the flight to Salt Lake. We are coming home. I called my parents and starting singing "We'll be home for Christmas" That song now has new meaning for me. We get to my parent's home around 7 and have Christmas dinner. It was so delicious since I hasn't eaten anything all day. Airplane food just doesn't satisfy and airport food is too expensive. We go home and around 10pm opened presents. Yes, Santa came (aka sister) to our house. After presents, I closed my eyes and fell asleep immediately. What a trip!

Now with all the airports and airplanes being cancelled and closed these past few days we know it was a blessing that we left JFK when we did. He was watching over us and helped us get home. If you asked the kids, they would say it was the worst vacation ever! Actually, they had so much fun in Orlando but the airports were a challenge. If you asked me, I loved it and would do it again (alittle different). I loved being with the Allens and going to Disney World. I loved swimming and being in warmer weather. I loved being with my family making wonderful memories. It was a Christmas none of us will forget.