Family Summer Vacation 2007 - Day 1

Day 1

Deborah dresses HY and EZ in matching outfits in the vain hope that it will charm the stewardesses and other passengers enough to assuage any annoyances on the plane.

HY sits on the table and eats as many of the "special plane treats" as he can find.

Deborah packs for everybody into one giant suitcase.

Aaron re-packs everybody into two large suitcases and three carry-ons.

Deborah stops to feed EZ.

HY stuffs five teddy bears, two stuffed dogs, three blankets and a Thomas the Train DVD into one of the family suitcases while Deborah is barricaded behind the Boppy. "Mommy, I all packed!"

Aaron dilly-dallies, basking in the fact that he is DONE with work for the next seven days.

Aaron quickly sobers when he sees the pile to be greased into the Buick: two large suitcases, three carry-ons, one diaper bag, one Pack and Play, one stroller, and two car seats.

Both Aaron and Deborah wonder out loud how they will get "all this honk to the terminal anyway."

Deborah feeds EZ.

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We arrive at the airport in record time and discover the wonder of the "Smart carte"--for three measly dollars you can rent the equivalent of three more adults.

The children cooperate beautifully and we breeze through security and arrive at the terminal with enough time to buy some expensive goodies to eat on the plane. Aaron purchases two Baja Mama burritos and a four dollar bottle of water, while Deborah buys three extra extra large slices of Sbarros pizza and a breadstick.

We board the plane--seats in the very last row.

HY watches movies and eats snacks.

Deborah feeds EZ.

Aaron contorts his body into amazing positions to accommodate EZ's penchant for nursing WITHOUT a blanket, and to shield Deborah from rubberneckers standing in line for the potty.

We arrive without incident at 11:00pm D.C. time.

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Deborah feeds EZ.

After picking up our new wheels (a red Dodge Caravan), we drive around for thirty minutes wondering which way might be the way to our hotel.

EZ starts crying.

In a fit of annoyance Aaron declares all maps in our car "D-U-M" and we hop on whichever highway we see first.

Finally, Deborah sees a Courtyard Marriott and implores Aaron to pull over and ask for directions.

EZ screams his guts out in the car.

HY starts whining for milk.

Aaron finds a 7-Eleven and everyone gets their beverage of choice: Aaron-powerade, Deborah-water, HY-milk, Ezra......

HY and EZ finally give up the fight and fall asleep. Aaron and Deborah enjoy the rest of the ride in blessed silence.

1:00a.m., we see the Residence Inn.

1:30a.m., everyone is settled.

to be continued...