Christmas

Gabe showing Bennett his ipad games

 Patrycja, Eric, and Bennett

 Eric says "I've tried polygamy" ... Does Patty know?

 Wujek Eric and Gabe

Mmmmm ... Nutella

Gabe didn't want any more pictures :(

This year we spent Christmas with my family in Virginia.  It was great to see everyone, but getting there and getting back to SLC was a CHALLENGE, to say the least.  I made arrangements to fly to Va with Gabe on Wednesday, December 22.  We checked in on-line with no problem and got to the airport with over an hour to spare, only to be informed that the flight was delayed and will be leaving an hour late.  My lay-over in Minneapolis was approximately an hour and 15 minutes, so things were not looking good.  Then after waiting at the gate, the flight was delayed another 20 minutes or so.  I went to the gate to check with the agent about my connection, and she assured me that I can make it because the pilot was going to make up time in the air.  It sounded like a "white lie" to me and I was right.  We touched down in Minneapolis at 7:10 pm, and my connecting flight left - ON TIME - at 7:05.  At least Delta gave us some food vouchers and paid for the hotel.  We took the free shuttle (which too was delayed) to the hotel.  And if misery loves company, I was in good company because all but one person on the shuttle were in the same boat as Gabe and I ... accidental tourists.  I don't know exactly how I kept it together but I did.  I kept telling Gabe that we were having an adventure ... and trying to make the best of the situation ... after all, getting mad and upset would not do us any good.

The next day we flew to Virginia.  We had great seats and the flight was relatively uneventful.  My sister and Tom met me at the airport and after we got our luggage, we drove to Dad's and Rhonda's.  My sister and Rhonda made great progress on making Pierogi and Barszcz earlier that day ... so I could relax and catch up with everyone.

Dave got to Va a couple of hours after we did.  His second flight was delayed but he made it to Va unscathed.

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve Wigilia.  The food was delicious - as always - and everyone (except Kohl) was there.  We ate, then ate some more, then the kiddos opened their presents, and then we played white elephant.  I got a Polygamy Porter t-shirt for the white elephant and it caused a lot of stir and lots of laughs.

Christmas Day we spent at Dad's and Rhonda's enjoying each others company and eating more delicious food. The next day we were planing on going to Sebastian's and Kathleen's to celebrate Sebastian's b'day and to meet their new puppy Abbie.  Alas, we couldn't go because we were SNOWED IN.  Yes, Christmas night and the following day, over a foot of snow fell in Va Beach.  And in a place where 2 inches of snow causes the city to close, over a foot of snow was an absolute disaster.  Needless to say, Patrycja and Eric did brave the streets and came over in the afternoon with little Bennett.

Dave was scheduled to fly back to SLC on Sunday evening, but of course, the airport was closed and all flights were cancelled.  He was able to fly back on Wednesday.

Monday, Patrycja and I took Gabe to see Tangled - Gabe's first movie in a theater.  Even with an unscheduled intermission (when the projector light burned down and had to be replaced), he did great.  He did get upset at one point but all and all, he enjoyed the movie.  P and I did too.

My flight to SLC was scheduled for Tuesday so didn't make any for Tuesday.  I packed, relaxed a little bit and then Dave took me and Gabe to the airport.  We got to the gate, checked the status of the fight ... on time ... and waited to board.  We waited and waited and then they made the announcement that they needed to check something with the plane and that we would board in 15 minutes.  15 minutes or so later, the Delta rep made another announcement that its going to be at least another hour before we can board.  At that point, I decided to rebook my flight (I wouldn't make the connection even if we left in an hour).  I waited in line at our station but it wasn't moving so I found another agent who rebooked me for Thursday out of Newport News.  The first available flights out of Norfolk were leaving Jan. 1.

With an extra day in town, Gabe and I were able to visit Va. Beach Aquarium, courtesy of Patty.  She got a groupon for a one-year family pass and we were her guests.  The boys - Dave and Bennett - had a great time looking at fish, sharks, and stingrays.

On Thursday, we packed up again, said goodbye to everyone (again) and headed to Newport News airport. Dad took us in his new fancy Lexus.  The flight was a little late and we made it to Atlanta a bit late.  We had 20 minutes to catch our next flight to SLC

It was a great trip but it is nice to be back home :)