Columbus-ites: Flying with Children

It's always an adventure to travel with children. So much fun. I did the best I could to prepare, we downloaded extra games on our phones, some movies, bought lots of stickers, ect. I called Southwest the night before to double check that I didn't need anything extra for Lucy since she was a "lap infant". I was assured that I did not need identification for her. So away we went to the airport, and, of course, they asked for Lucy's identification. The worker claimed Lucy looked to old and wanted proof that she was in reality under two years old. Well, all her identification was conveniently in a box, located within a truck, halfway to Indiana. 

Sideline: Shout out to Cummins for paying for a company to come, box up all our belongings and then the next day move all our belongings on a truck. The girls and I literally went on play dates, walks and watched movies while all the hard work was done for us. I'm officially spoiled. I cannot go back to boxing my house up all by myself.

Back to airport fiasco. Time was ticking before our plane left. After we explained our situation, the worker would not budge. I had to call BYU clinic to try to get a document sent to the airport that had Lucy's birthdate on it. Well, with privacy laws, and the fact that the fax machine was located in an entirely other building, the clock was getting closer to when we should have left. Luckily the flight was delayed and we didn't miss it and had all the paperwork straightened out. Phew. 

And luckily our connecting flight was also delayed. When we were supposed to land in Indianapolis at 10:30, we actually arrived at 2:30 am. Jordan had arranged for a rental car, but the rental car kiosk closed at 2 am. After wondering around the car rental level of the airport parking garage mindlessly trying to find someone with 2 exhausted screaming children, 2 large car seats, 2 large suitcases and 498 small carry-on's, we were done. We hired a taxi and $56 later we arrived at our hotel, and the next day we made it to Columbus. 

Fun in Cedar City/New Harmony/West Valley City

We came home from our Canada/Cancun vacation for 1 day to then turn around and go down to New Harmony to spend some more quality time with family. Then we went straight to West Valley City for more of the same. It wasn't until after that did we go back to Provo to begin the dreaded pre-move preparations.

Miss Lucy- who refused bottles after 4 months of age, and a binkie from day 3 - started this fun habit while we were gone in March house hunting. Yea. 

In my dad's beautiful backyard.

Ben falling asleep while eating chips :) But each time we tried to pick him up to take him to bed, he would suddenly wake up and say, "more chips", reach for a chip and then fall back asleep.

Cousins don't let Cousins look ridiculous in pictures alone.

Earning their keep

Dancing with Hannah

Jordan's favorite Sunday nap spot.

Back in West Valley City, the brothers rented mountain bikes and went out each morning for a ride in the beautiful mountains.

Elliss men hate having their picture taken. 

Super Why Fan Club

Fun in Canada

A big thanks to my Mom and Rick for taking care of the girls - making it possible for us to go on our dreamy vacation. We stayed with them a few days prior to our departure and a few days after. I got some great pictures before we left, but somehow those pictures got lost :( And after Cancun we (I) was pictured-out. We went to the zoo with my Mom and Dave one day and had a blast. Especially in our favorite spot - the butterfly pavilion.

Cancun Day 6

Our final full day in Cancun we spent kayaking in the morning and enjoying the beach in the afternoon. I was surprised how much fun we had kayaking - I was also surprised that I was able to hold my own with Jordan. We raced - and tied - and Jordan didn't let me win - that goes against his moral character. I can't say that I can hold my own against Jordan very often. I beat him once at monopoly. I beat him once at mini golf. That about sums it up. Perhaps this is part of the reason why I liked kayaking so much. I never had to ask Jordan to wait up for me. 

The next day we flew out of Cancun. It was a perfect week. I called it a brain-less vacation. All the particulars were taken care of for us. All we had to decide was to which of the 6 delicious restaurants we wanted to eat, and which excursions we wanted to go on. Or if we wanted to hang out on the beach. Once we decided on an excursions, a bus picked us up, and provided lunch, and made sure we got home in time. All we had to focus on was having fun, and enjoy each other. 7 days was the ideal amount of time, we had fun, but were ready to see our little girls again at the end of the time period. Whenever I need to mentally go a happy place, that place is now laying on the beach with Jordan, virgin pina-coladas in hand. 

Cancun Day 5 - Explore Park

Our final excursion - and Jordan's favorite day in Cancun - was a new adventure park just an hour away from our resort. It consisted of 14 ziplines on the surface and an underground river. The helmets we were each issued had a memory chip in them, and the park had cameras stationed throughout the park - and it would take pictures of us - and at the end of our day we were able to purchase those pictures on a zip drive. I'll post the helmet's pictures first, and then the pictures from our point and shoot at the bottom. There is a reason why I forced Jordan to pay the money. He did it be because he loves me, not because he cared about the pictures.

The river was slightly cold, so Jordan gave me a piggy back ride though the swimming portion of the beautiful underground river. 

Here begins the pictures from our personal camera.