We'll Be Home For Christmas

Sunday was our ‘last day’ in New York City. After church, we finished packing and cleaning the apartment, turned in our keys to the landlord and a member of our ward drove us to the shuttle stop (with all our luggage- a LOT) and we waited for the Jet Blue employee shuttle- which took us to John F Kennedy Airport. Our flight wasn’t scheduled to leave until 5:00 pm but we arrived at the airport at 1:30 pm so that we would have enough time to do everything- because we heard it was busy with the Holiday Rush. We arrived to bad luck- our flight was a connector flight in Boston and Boston was being hit by a huge winter storm- and we would miss our connector flight (by 4 hours) and be stranded in Boston. So we changed to another flight at 9:00pm and began our wait.
Around 4:00pm we got the word that our second flight was cancelled- due to weather between the two airports. We were put on the flight the following evening (Christmas Eve) at 9:00 but were put on the waiting list for the 9:35 am flight and were pretty sure we would make it. So we, bag-less, homeless, but hopeful left the airport.
The hope diminished on our long trip home- through torrential rainfall, waiting for shuttles, busses and trying to find our landlord’s house. (We even got splashed all up our legs- Ben got it worse- with dirty New York gutter water- which added a wet frozenness to our homeless state). Our landlord was very understanding and gave us the keys to get into our apartment. So we hunkered down (after a home cooked meal at Boston Market) in our bare apartment to stay the night. Our apartment is furnished and the landlord has a closet of her own stuff there- so it wasn’t as bare as it sounds- we had a bed to sleep on (no sheets, but that is a luxury anyway). We got up (same old cloths- we didn’t have any of our luggage, or bathroom stuff or anything) and got on the bus at 5:30am to get to the shuttle by 6:00 but we missed the shuttle by 5 minutes- so we had to wait for an hour for the next shuttle. So we had breakfast at a delicious hole in the wall coffee shop- which warmed our spirits and bellies for the day to come.
We got to the airport and checked in by 7:30-ish for our 9:30 am flight. At 8:00 they told us we were delayed till 11:30, at 11:25 they told us we were delayed till 2:00. Six hours after arriving we waited to get on the plane- because we were pushed over from the day before we had stand by tickets- so we waited until everyone was on, so they could see if there would be room for us. Thankfully they handed us two boarding passes so we could get on the long awaited flight. As we walked onto the plane the flight attendant greeted us with bad news- they miss counted and ‘there was no room in the inn’…we had to turn around and walk off the plane to wait another 6 hours for the next flight.
At this time Brea broke down and just started bawling in the airport- it was Christmas Eve and they weren’t going to make it home, regardless the fact that all the gifts were in luggage somewhere in Denver, Boston or New York (we didn’t know) and we didn’t get to shop for each other yet. She just cried and cried, in the middle of the busy airport on Christmas Eve. Ben, the amazing man that he is, got their seats confirmed for the 9:00pm flight and bought her some chocolate ice cream (when ordering he said, “I need the biggest chocolatiest thing you have!”).
So once again it has been 6 hours and our flight is scheduled to leave on time. We have an hour left to wait and then just need to hope that all goes well. Our flight will arrive (if all goes well) at 11:59pm- so we will arrive today (ha). We are just relieved to be going home for Christmas and to be with our families, and we have decided not to travel next Christmas.

Eastside Rehab Holiday Party

Brea works for a Physical Therapist office and Wednesday (December 19, 2007)they had the party at Hill Country Barbeque it was a lot of fun. There was a lot of good (free)food and it was great to have friends, collegues and family there with us. The band was...interesting, but we all enjoyed the night.

How the Grinch Stole Chistmas

For Christmas Ben and My bosses (our bosses are married) gave us two tickets to go see "How the Grinch Stole Chistmas" on Broadway. We saw it Tuesday December 18 and it was great. We both agreed that the Who's were a little creepy at first (their bodies were weird shapes and they were so gittery) but it really brought the holiday spirit. The music was fun and lively and the set was amazing. It was a children's show, so it was short and to the point. It was very fun for us to go.
On the way home we went to John's Pizza. It was really good and a great way to end the night.

Statue of Liberty

The one last thing that I (Brea) really wanted to do before we left was go to the Statue of Liberty and on Saturday we got close. The actual tours cost money- so we took the Staten Island Ferry (FREE!) which goes right next to it. It was so great to be able to see this key image that represents our countries beliefs, freedoms and democracy. It was very special. It was also very cool to see the city from Staten Island- and to be able to see the buildings and skyline from a different angel (rather then from under it- ha). The boat drops off at Battery Park- which has such a great history and story (war monuments, ect).

Then on our way home we went to China town and Little Italy for more Christmas bargain shopping. It was a wonderful day and was so much fun to be out and about- but together. It was great.

Bryant Park at Christmas

We were going to go ice skating at Bryant Park (but it was kind of expensive- and cold) so we just walked around instead. The park was decorated very beautiful and there were many holiday booths and things set up for the holidays. It was fun to walk around and see all the interesting things being sold (life sized figurines made of junk, muppets, ect).

Rockefeller Center and Sax Fifth Avenue

This week we experienced Christmas in New York. We went to the Rockefeller Center to see the big Christmas tree. It was magical to see all the lights and it was a wonderful way to get us into the Christmas spirit. We also walked past the Radio City Music Hall (where the Rockets perform) and we walked up and down 5th Avenue (very high end stores). We had a chance to see the Sax Fifth Avenue music/light show and to go in and explore the famously expensive store. It was absurd how much everything cost ($995 scarf) and we both decided that we would never want to spend money in such frivolous ways- but it was interesting to see. We were able to shop at street vendors for Christmas gifts- and do some pretty good bargaining. It was very festive, cold and holiday-ish.

Farwell to CA

Saturday Night we went on a date to In-n-Out Burger and then went back to Dana Point to see the Christmas Boat Light Parade. It was kind of cold- so we didn’t stay to watch the parade but it was cool to see all the boats decorated for Christmas. It was a very relaxing and peaceful evening together.

Sunday we went to church and then just hung out with the family. We taught the older boys how to play poker with cheerios (a very useful skill) and played with the little ones. Then Monday we had to say our goodbyes- we also went to a Mommy-and-Me Christmas Party- and then we were on our way back to NY. The trip was a blast and it was great to see Ben and Andrea. We love them and miss them already.

Boomers and Basketball

Saturday we watched as ten 5 year olds tried to play basketball. It was the most entertaining thing I have seen in a long time. None of them really dribble the ball, occasionally they pass the ball and the quickest one on either team gets it, but all try and try to make the almost impossible feat of the basket. Actually one or two little boys were pretty good shots. Emma was a tyrant on defense, holder her arms ups and almost reaching 4 whole feet to obstruct her opponent’s visibility. After the game Mom (Andrea) and Emma went to their dance camp while the rest of us (the boys and brea) went to Boomers. Yes that’s right, I once again proved to all that I(Ben) am the go-cart champion of the world. That is, my world of course. We played mini-golf, go-carts, bumper boats with water guns attached to them, and topped it all off with many games of Laser-tag. It was great. Perfect fun for 2, 10, 12, 21, 24year olds and Marines the like (we dont want to call Ben D. old or anything...haha).

Dana Point

We went to Dana Point for a fun beach walk and found a really cool cave. Then we had a picnic at a very nice park and talked and talked, it was quite romantic and well, yes kisses were stolen.