Beginning of DC adventure

I was too tired last night to chronicle our travel day, so I'll review the big points. We actually made it to the airport with time to spare, which is so not how Mike and I used to travel pre-children. We were pro's at cutting it close, running through airports to reach our gate, being the last passengers to board the plane, literally watching the door close right behind us. Having to haul children makes that kind of traveling a little impractical. We still managed to miss the family boarding call (Mike chose that moment to take a leisurely stroll to the restroom to wash his hands) so we had to sit at the very back of the plane. That made me a little nervous about making our connection in Denver, but Southwest pulled through and left on time. As we were pulling back from the gate, the flight attendant asked those in window seats to please press their faces up to the window so the other airlines could see that Southwest was flying with a plane full of passengers, neener, neener. I do like Southwest, and they did get us to both Denver and Baltimore on time or early, but I can't say I like how they seat their passengers first come, first served. It was tricky getting six seats together, and as I walked down the aisle, it was almost like a junior high lunch room - having to choose who to sit by. I swear there were people thinking, "I'm going to be the last one picked AGAIN."



Anyway, our flights were bumpy but not too bad, and the kids did really well. I took Esther into the bathroom to change her diaper and she insisted on having a try on the potty (don't want to discourage that, even if it is never sucessful) and after she hopped off and closed the lid, she stood up on the closed lid and flushed. It was REALLY loud, and she jumped about 3 feet into the air and into my arms. I thought I was going to wet my pants, I laughed so hard! She was pretty tired by the time we reached Denver, but changing planes (which was set up so nicely - we arrived at gate C39 and walked to C41 for our flight to Baltimore) just woke her up and she was silly, giddy, then ornery before she crashed about an hour from landing. We had to have a talk with the boys about not wandering around, then just about lost them in a metro station when they managed to get off, but the doors closed before Mike, Esther, Jason and I (and all our luggage) got off. I had a Momma Bear moment and without even thinking I just pounded the doors and they opened again. We all managed to get out and I thought I'd be sick right there. Just thinking about Josh and Caleb alone at an inner city metro station makes me feel a little ill right now! Awful mental picture!



We finally made it to the apartment where we are staying (in the same complex as Mike's parents) and even though it only has one room, it is still better than a hotel (we have a kitchen with a fridge/microwave/stove). And waaaaaay cheaper. We had a lazy day today and didn't have to go to church until 2:30. Mike's parents' ward is all senior missionary couples who work in the Washington DC temple, so the pressure was on in Sacrament meeting to keep the kids quiet! It was a spry ol' group and we enjoyed church today. I thought it was interesting that the closing song was As Zion's Youth in Latter Days. No moss on these folks!



Tomorrow we are planning to head to the Tidal Basin area of DC. Photos, I promise!