I've been totally behind on blogging. I had good intentions of making posts about each of the various things we did while in Pennsylvania last week, but I decided it would be easier to just do one huge megapost with a ton of pictures recapping our five day trip.
(I'll just preface this paragraph by saying it's a rant about our travel, so if you'd prefer just to know we eventually got to Wilkes-Barre and had fun with Bill's family then skip to the next paragraph). Our trip got off to a rough start as we encountered flight issue after flight issue on our way to Wilkes-Barre. We left Tucson without incident, had an early lunch in Phoenix, and boarded our connecting flight fairly close to our actual boarding time. After we all were on the plane they informed us the bathroom facilities were not flushing properly, so we had to sit and wait while they fixed that. With that delay I was already nervous we'd miss our connection in Philadelphia as we had only a little over an hour between this arrival and our final connection's departure. After we landed in an apparently overly busy Philadelphia airport, it took approximately 30 minutes for us to get from the landing runway to our gate, leaving us with only about 20 minutes to find the shuttle bus to the connecting terminal and get to our gate before boarding time. After running to the gate, and arriving miraculously ahead of the boarding schedule, we realized that our flight was not listed on the gate listed on the electronic monitors. A large line of people was waiting to speak to US Airways customer service representatives and after chatting with some other folks, we learned (unofficially) that our flight originally scheduled to depart at 8:55 pm was delayed until 10:30. While I waited and commiserated in line to try to get some answers, Bill entertained Drew. Then we heard, again by word of mouth, not an official airline announcement that the flight was now delayed until 11:30. Looking at our rental car confirmation I quickly realized we were going to get to Wilkes-Barre after the rental car agency closed and someone from Bill's family would have to come pick us up. Shortly after that, a US Airways representative finally made an announcement stating that everyone scheduled for our flight should go to a different gate to wait for our flight which was now estimated to depart at 12:30 am. Oh joy! Thankfully through all of this Drew was still on Arizona time and not completely exhausted. Around 10:30 pm they finally canceled our flight (you knew that was coming, right?) due to "airport traffic volume," there wasn't a single rental car left at the airport because our flight was far from the only one affected, and the next flight with any available seats was at 9:20 the next morning. So we made our way to a hotel (courtesy of US Airways) and finally laid down at 12:30 am. The next morning we took no chances about being hung up at security lines and took the hotel shuttle with more than enough time to get to our 9:20 flight. Around 9:00 am, our plane finally arrived and we assumed that it would get in to W-B only slightly behind schedule, that is, until the airline representative informed us that the flight crew for our flight was inbound on a different flight that, shockingly, was delayed! About 9:45 we were told they had landed at a gate about 15 gates down from where we were. Over 30 minutes later they finally arrived at our gate and we boarded about 10:30. Due to "high airport traffic" again, we didn't actually take off until 11:00 and we finally arrived in W-B at noon, more than 12 hours after we were originally supposed to arrive and more than an hour and a half later than our revised arrival time. Needless to say, we were less than impressed. Miraculously, our luggage also made it to W-B.
(okay, rant over)
Here's a cute picture of Drew as we waited for our flight that never was...
He's completely oblivious to the travel hell unfolding around him. As long as he had his Mickey Mouse DVD he couldn't have cared less if we had slept in the Philly airport.
Finally in Wilkes-Barre Thursday afternoon, Drew wasted no time in heading out to the backyard to play with Aunt Elizabeth & Bella.
Drew and Elizabeth were kicking the soccer ball back and forth and Bella wanted to get in on the action.
Uncle Ryan pushing Lizzie & Drew while Bella runs around.
Due to rainy weather in PA, Aunt Jalene's high school graduation (the reason for our trip) was moved inside. Because of this, tickets were limited, so Bill's parents, Bill and his brother Eric sat in the auditorium while Elizabeth, Ryan, Eric's wife Liz, daughter Madison, Drew and I watched in the cafeteria on big screens. It actually probably was for the best considering the kids would likely not have tolerated the nearly 2 hour ceremony inside the auditorium. At least in the cafeteria they could walk around, have snacks, and Drew watched more of his Mickey DVD.
Liz & Madison in the cafeteria
Aunt Jalene & Drew after graduation
Mary, Jalene, and Jenn
Due to the time difference and our crazy travel adventures, Drew's nap schedule was totally messed up on Thursday. So he fell asleep during the drive from the high school to the restaurant we had dinner at afterward.
Lizzie & Drew reading bedtime stories Thursday night. Elizabeth is such a great aunt. She is so fabulous with Drew and he loves to play with her.
Friday morning we took family photos at a portrait studio. Despite the fact there was 11 of us, we had a really great selection of photos to choose from. Our prints were processed the same day and we all got copies of a CD with all the session's photos. So here's just a few of our favorites:
One of Drew's solo shots.
Big group shot
Daddy & Drew
Mommy & Drew
Family shot
Friday night we drove to my Uncle Gerry's about an hour from Bill's parents' house and enjoyed a few hours of food, drinks, and fun on their patio. Fortunately, my Uncle Ambrose and Aunt Peggy happened to be coming in to see Gerry & Louise that weekend anyway, so we were able to see twice the family we would normally have.
Shortly after we arrived Uncle Gerry was getting drinks for us and asked Drew if he would like some soda. Without a word from Mommy or Daddy about our rules on soda-drinking, Drew responded with the gem of the whole weekend: "I have to be 10 for soda."
My cousin Jaime and her son Tristan, whose 4 months older than Drew, were able to come over too.
Jaime & Jenn
Tristan and Drew--taking a break from chasing each other around the yard and playing football.
Uncle Ambrose & Tristan
Aunt Peggy, Drew, & Aunt Louise
Saturday was kind of a low-key day until the evening. Eric & Liz had National Guard drills so they were away until about 7 that night. Here's a family picture of them after they got back to the house.
Family shot of us outside Bill's parents' house Saturday night.
Several of Bill's extended family members came into town on Saturday in advance of the graduation party on Sunday so we enjoyed dinner and catching up with them at the house that night.
Later that night we met up with some of Bill's oldest friends at a bar and had a great time catching up and laughing over some old stories.
Jenn & Bill
Group shot outside the bar...yeah, pretty sure we closed the bar. There have to be some advantages to not adjusting to the time zone change, right?
Bill, Jenn, Liz, Eric, Joe, Nadia & Adam.
Sunday afternoon was Jalene's graduation party. Almost all of Bill's extended family was there and it was great to be able to see everyone in one place. Unfortunately it didn't allow for as much time to catch up with everyone as we would have liked, but we enjoyed the time we did have.
Bill, Mary, Jalene, and Jalene's godparents, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Geno welcome everyone to the party and say some kind words about the recently graduated Jalene.
Lizzie & Drew at Jalene's graduation party
Uncle Chas, Aunt Tina, Jenn, & Bill
Aunt Jalene and Drew share some silly hugs
Gram and her sister, Aunt Martha
Big family shot
Gram & Jalene
After the party, Eric & Liz had to head back to Delaware. Drew takes a minute before getting in the pool to give some goodbye hugs & kisses.
Enjoying the pool after the party--fortunately it really warmed up in the last 2 days we were there.
Drew jumped off the ladder over and over while Ryan caught him
Ryan throwing Drew up in the air
After he was done swimming Drew decided he should get to work on cleaning the pool. We literally could not tear him away from the skimmer for at least 15 minutes.
Ryan lifting Drew up with Jalene's graduation balloons
Drew & Grandma Mary
Drew explains how a toy works to cousin Bruce
Monday morning we were on our way back to AZ. With plenty of time to spare during our layover Drew enjoyed one of the Philadelphia airport's play areas.
Drew driving a baggage truck
Drew pretending to be a pilot
Could he be any cuter?
Our travel difficulties aside, it was a great trip and we were so glad to see everyone. We are very proud of our recently graduated sister Jalene and were happy to be there to share this special time with her. Drew and I are headed back out on the road (or rather, in the air) this Tuesday to see my side of the family. So we'll have more travel pics coming, hopefully without any flight-related rants.
