Two monhts??

I can't believe it has been two months since our trip to the States!!  End of school year is such a busy and crazy time!

We had a wonderful time in NY.  I'm so glad we got to go.  It sucks that it was for my Father in law's funeral but it was something I didn't know I needed.  The travel part was just horrible.  All my fears of making that trip came true.  Sigh.  Our flight was at 7:30am, so we were up at 3:30am.  After we hauled 6 suitcases, two carseats, a stroller, and 4 kids thru the airport and all the extra security to fly to America, we got there just in time to board.  We didn't get to enjoy the new fancy Turkish Airlines Lounge.  We didn't get a bulkhead seat, so no bassinet.  Joel was on the other side of the plane, so he was going to be little help.  I couldn't enjoy my glass of champagne, because I had to feed Milly on takeoff.  A screaming baby is not something you want in Business class.  But I did get to enjoy a lovely piece of Godiva chocolate.

The first hour of the plane ride was great.  Milly feel asleep right after takeoff.  I thought great, I can watch a movie enjoy some down time until they serve food.  But as soon a the seatbelt sign went off, all the noise, movement and bumps at my arm, woke Milly up.  And she was up!  For the next 10 HOURS!  I think she napped 15 minutes here and there but not enough for anything worthwhile.  I didn't sleep, watch any movies, and barely got to eat my lunch.  Every time Joel walked over and tried to take Milly, she screamed.  So he got to enjoy movies, dinner, and at least 6 hours of sleep.  Man did  I hate him.  I survived, thanks to a few flight attendants and another passenger.  They both took Milly a few times so I could go to the bathroom and just have a moment.

Once we landed the fun started.  After waiting forever for the stroller, and then waiting in some line, we finally made it to passport.  I'm thinking, YEAH, we get the short line!  Well turns out we were the only Americans that recently landed, so right before we got there, they moved a bunch over from the Asian flight.  They tried to be nice and skip us ahead of the line.  Then they put us in a line with two people at the window and then a group of 3.  The shortest line.  25 minutes later, we are finally thru! They were the slowest people EVER!  The first lady could give a proper thumb print. And the second group they had to find an interpreter.  Oh and here is the fun part.  The lady that booked our flights gave us a little over a 2 hour layover.  That might work for one of two.  Heck maybe even a family of 4, but NOT 6 with an infant.  We ran and got our luggage and then got it rechecked.  We had to make it to another Terminal ( 4 train stops away) and then wait in line at the counter.  Airlines don't issue kids boarding passes until they can see it really is a kid.  So we now have 30 minutes til take off.  We get skipped thru security and as we walk up, they close half, yes HALF, of the scanners.  UGH!!  I told Joel to talk to the TSA guy but I don't think he tried.  So finally I whip out the tears and the word Funeral and we get skipped straight ahead.  In fact, they had to open a lane for us because kids don't go thru the body scanners.  I don't think I have ran that much in my life, but we were the last ones on the plane.  The guy in line in front of us tells his wife, "See we aren't the last ones."  I laughed and said, " We are coming from Istanbul, how about you?"

Being our first time on Jet Blue, I was extremely impressed with how nice the plane was.  They had satellite TV!!  I got to watch HGTV!  Our flight attendant was wonderful.  I got extra water and the kids got extra snacks.  They were really impressed how our kids did after such a long day.  Our pilot was extra nice to us and we made it 55 minutes.  We landed and made it to luggage and there was Grandma Jackie!  And NO, this is not the end of the story.  To speed things up, I went to get the rental.  We had flown two carseats and I had ordered one delivered to my Mother in law.  We bought Jocy's new booster in Istanbul, and it was freaking expensive!  Nate's was about to expire, so a good opportunity.  That left us only having to rent one.  So I get everything done.  Little nervous to be driving a Suburban after 22 months of a tiny car.  So I walk over and there is still no luggage.  Turns out it didn't make the plane.  Which would have been fine, but there were two carseats!!  So I walk back over to Budget and tell them my situation.  Jocy can get away without a carseat.  I keep her in one because it is safer.  So I just needed one for Milly.  I HATE renting infant seats.  They don't give you the base and never seem to fit right.  But it was just for one drive and our luggage would be delivery that night.  The wonderful lady at Budget didn't charge me for it.  I can't say enough about how great Rochester Budget was.

So I walk back over and meet Jackie from Jet Blue. She was going on about how great we were and most people yell at her.  I said you know where it is and its on the next flight so no big deal.  Heck, that means we don't have to haul it to the car!!  She also said how great all my kiddos were. :)

By the time we got to my mother in laws, it was 5pm.  Meaning midnight our time.  So 20 hours later (on 4 hours sleep) we could relax.  Well, until about 60 people showed up for dinner!

It was so great to see everyone.  The funeral was more like a memorial.  There was no viewing (thank god) and everyone shared happy memories of Bruce.  He was a quirky guy, so many great stories.  Then they had planned a lovely party afterwards.  That weekend made up for all that time of being gone.

The rest of the trip was spend shopping!  LOL.  Well it felt like it.  My parents and brother had come too so there was outlet shopping, trips to the zoo and the Children's Museum.  Plus eating all our favorite foods.  Lots of Pork, Texas Roadhouse, Red Lobster, Mexican, to name a few.  I wish we could have stayed longer, but I was ready for home.  Milly barely slept that whole week.  Well anytime I wanted to sleep.  The flight home was only a bit better.  Our flight out of Rochester was delayed because JFK had grounded flights because of wind.  We just weren't going to make the connection.  And they knew we would rather stay at Grandma's then the floor of JFK.  Jet Blue staff was wonderful again.  They really went out of their way to help us out.  So back to Grandma's for another night.  The next day was a little crazy because they tried to put us in Economy.  Not happening.  But it all worked out.  We even got 6 hours to get thru JFK.  And the Turkish Airlines reps at JFK were amazing too!  They rearranged people so we could have a bassinet.  Even though Milly didn't like it.  She made it maybe an hour in there.  But I got to eat!  She slept much better.  And this plane was a bit bigger, so I got three kids and so did Joel.  Much better flight.  I did have to bounce Milly for awhile but I figured burning calories.

So it was a great trip, but don't ask me to do that again until we have to!

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