Happy Birthday!

Happy 1st Birthday Andrew!

Oregon

We took a vacation out to the Oregon coast in October.  We stayed with Ryan's aunt and uncle in Eugene.  It was great to see them and spend some time there in their home.  Ryan and I went to the BYU vs Oregon State game with some of Ryan's friends from high school.  We had a blast!  The game was a close one, which made it more fun and BYU won which made it even better.  We thought it was fitting that the stadium was black and orange since it was so close to Halloween.

Before the game, we went to the BYU tailgate party they had set up at a local stake center.  We ate some food, threw a football, talked with friends and enjoyed the beautiful weather (it was sunny the whole time we were there!).  Before leaving to head over to the game, we went into the stake center for a bathroom break.  Amazingly, there was no line to the ladies room, but the line for the men's room snaked out into the hallway.  I was waiting in the hall near by and got a kick out of it.  Every guy who came in made some comment, "Are you sure this isn't the women's bathroom?"  "Why is there a line?"  "You've got to be kidding, a line for the men's restroom?"  Some of them got impatient within seconds of getting in line and promptly left to go find the other men's restroom in the building.  Funny enough, there were so many looking for that bathroom, I'm sure that it had a line just as long as the first.  I was nearly giggling by the time we left the building.  I just found it so comical not only that there was a line, but all those waiting in the line were intolerant and vocal about it. 

One of the days we drove out to the coast and took Andrew to an aquarium.  He wasn't quite sure what to think at first, but he started to enjoy it pretty quickly.  The fish in the oval tubes and the sea lions were his favorite.  We went to a fun park in Eugene with Nick and Roxanna while there as well.  Andrew was going down the slides all by himself with no fear.  He loved the swings and the fountain (thought we wouldn't let him play in it) and the fact that he got to run all over the place.

When we headed home, we timed the drive to the airport so Andrew would sleep through part of it.  It was about 2 1/2 hours to the airport.  He slept most of the way, but as we were getting close, he was getting more and more upset.  He was hungry and wanted out of the carseat.  I tried to make a bottle but all the water in the car was ice cold and he wasn't about to take that.  We were trying to find a gas station to fill up the rental and the closest was 7 or 8 miles from the airport.  We had gone to the rental place and had to turn around.  By this point Andrew is screaming, I'm crying and Ryan's not sure what to do.  We finally stopped at a hotel, Ryan filled a water bottle at the coffee machine with boiled water.  We then mixed ice water and boiling water to try for the right temperature.  It worked, Andrew ate.  We found gas, and made it to turn in the rental with a few minutes to spare.  Now we had to unload.  I think you have to pack the whole house when you travel with children.  There were things scattered here and there that Andrew had played with and goldfish crackers, etc.  We told the rental guy it was going to take us a few minutes to unload.  He said to take all the time we needed. 

As we unloaded the shuttle driver (to take us to the airport) loaded our baggage onto the waiting shuttle.  He began to get impatient as we tried to hurry faster.  Then he says, "the next shuttle arrives in 4 minutes and I need to go."  No big deal, other than he had already loaded most of our stuff.  In the intervening rush we managed to get us and all our gear on the shuttle, in a very unorganized fashion with things sticking out of all pockets, bags not entirely zippede etc.  When we arrived at the drop off point the driver told the other passenger that he may as well walk to his stop as it would be faster than waiting for us to unload.  Once unloaded we organized on the sidewalk and then made the trek in, both Ryan and I loaded to the gills (5 bags, a carseat, the stroller and Andrew)

Walk in, stand in line, unload, check a bag, load up, go to security, unload, hold on to Andrew, go through, reload/organize while chasing Andrew, find gate, starving, find food.  Ryan went to get food while I waited at the gate with all the stuff and Little Mr.  While waiting for Ryan to come back they asked that all those with things to check at the gate come get tags (stoller and carseat).  No way I can get over there with all the stuff and Andrew, so I wait.  As soon as Ryan gets back he takes the stroller and car seat to get checked in.  While he's gone, Andrew fills his diaper.  Once again, I can't leave to change him and take all the stuff.  When Ryan comes back, he grabs Andrew and goes to change his diaper.  As his diaper is being changed, they call for all families traveling with children to board.  I waited since my family wasn't there and I couldn't carry everything (4 bags, a stroller, a carseat and a bag of food).  We were among the last to board, bumping everyone as we walked the aisle.  Finally, we got settled and were able to relax.  Andrew promptly fell asleep and we were able to eat and have peace on the ride home.  Whew!  Next time, I think we'll check all the bags.