New Years Eve in Tucson

Hello again!  I'm slowly getting caught up over here at Manic Monkdays.  Blogging is a little more tough to stay on top of with a little boy who just doesn't stop.

We were invited to play a NYE service in Tucson, AZ at Calvary Chapel.  We've been there a couple other times and have always had great experiences, so it was a no brainer.  Granted, we had to fly and figure out that whole thing and what it looks like with a toddler, but still.  

We flew out of Amarillo and it was 9 degrees and snowing.  The weather rwas messing up flights, including ours.  More on that later.

We stood in line (which took forever) and got all check in.

We got to our gate and attempted to keep the boy off the floor but that lasted about 2.5 seconds then we just let him go.  And followed him with wet wipes because gross.

Our flight was delayed, so the whole trip was off to a fabulous start.  Also, that delay meant we would probably miss our connecting flight in Denver.  Good times.

We got on the plane, which was a tiny one.  Like a straw flying through the sky.  When we got on, Oliver immediately started fussing.  So we were THAT family.  I joked and tried to charm the passengers in hopes that would keep their mind off of what was potentially about to happen to their ears and nerves.

He calmed down thanks to a sweet flight attendant who gave him, of all things, a plastic cup.  I nursed him during takeoff, thinking he'd fall asleep.  He did not.  He much preferred to look at Sky Mall.  Ha!

We made it to Denver and, thanks to another plane's delay, we made our connecting flight!!  Things were looking up.  Unfortunately, we had to get off the plane OUTSIDE IN 2 BELOW SNOW and that was just not fun at all. 

Then we were about the leave Denver to get to our final destination of Tucson and the poop hit the fan.  Because of the cold weather, there was a waiting line for planes to get de-iced.  I didn't even know that was thing, but it is.  A thing, I'm sure to be thankful for, only at the time I just didn't care because we sat and waited on that plane, for 2 hours.  TWO.  And I just wanted to get there already.  Plus, the flight was two hours.    

I nursed during takeoff again, knowing he'd fall asleep.  Nope.  He did not.  And he also had 2 poopy diapers on that flight.  And I don't know if you've ever changed a diaper in that tiny bathroom on a plane, but es no bueño.  Bless it all.

We finally got to Tucson, got picked up, and taken to our hotel.  Then the boy finally slept.  

For those keeping track at home.  NO NAPS that day.  

This is our "We made it" face.

We didn't know when we checked in, but our room faced the East and I'm so glad it did.  Again, fancy iPhone camera doesn't do this sunrise-over-mountains justice.

It was NYE and we hung out all day and got ready for the service.

We sound checked earlier in the day then wasted time playing with the safe in the room.  Haha!

We had a nanny come to the room and just sit there while Oliver slept.  This was so helpful.  It would've been a loooooog night for him.  Thanks, Amber!

We got to the church and snacked and had coffee before it started. (They always have the bestest snackies.)

Because we are very fancy, our set list for the night was on a paper plate.

Duh.

It actually snowed during the service.  Lots of it.  It didn't stick around long, and was gone by morning, but it was beautiful and fun to see everyone enjoying it! 

"I wanna gooooooo!"

So we get to the airport, ready and excited to get home. And that's when we found out our flight was delayed for 3 hours. THREE.  What in the world were we going to do with a toddler in an airport for that long? Take turns walking him around in the stroller. That and snacks. Lots of snacks.

We planned it perfectly. We had killed enough time and had enough time left to sit and eat lunch. Patting ourselves on the back, we finished eating, got our junk, and headed to the gate.  This travel thing isn't so hard after all!

MmmHmm, right. 

Then, we randomly glanced at the screen with all the flight info only to find out our plane was boarding and about to leave!!! We thought we had 30 minutes. 

Eeeek! We rushed there, forgoing potty breaks and a diaper change, and made it just in time.

And he finally slept.

Then, as we approached Amarillo, this.  All of a sudden, the delays, cold weather, flying with a toddler, and poopy diapers seemed insignificant. 

 Perspective is a beautiful thing.

We had a wonderful time and Oliver really did do well. Our little trooper even got some praise from a few people.