The one where we go to ohio!!

Jose surprised us the first week of December with tickets to ohio! For two whole weeks! We left within 4 days of getting the tickets so we were able to surprise everyone! Mackenzie knew--so she was the one that picked us up from the airport.

I stressed and stressed about the airplane--and completely over prepared for it. But it paid off!! He did so well! 

Yes. I brought all of that on the plane. Hence my "over prepared" statement. That was just the food. Which had its own bag--and the toys went in a huge other one. 

Our first flight was shorter and he slept through half of it--which was good because the flight was full and we were by the window with no space. 

The stroller was my life saver. Such a handy thing. 

We had a good short layover and got some food and wandered a bit before getting on our next flight. 

This was our super long 4 hour flight. Which I probably would have cried through had it been full. But the flight was only half full! We had an entire row to ourselves! It was wonderful and Luca took advantage of the space. 

He watched Arthurs Perfect Christmas on the iPad and played and enjoyed his life for the most part. 

He's waving to uncle Fred here who is saying hi to everyone in his video Christmas card. 

The flight attendants were so sweet and offered to take him on a "walk" up and down the isles but he wouldn't go with them. We wandered a bit--he made friends and then we were finally in ohio!!

Grandma and Halie were at mutual--grandpa was out of town. Nicole was home. So she was first! I called and called her to play something off but she was playing the piano and didn't answer. Instead we knocked on the door and just left Luca standing there. I really thought it would take more time for people to catch on but they all were so fast!! I'm mad we didn't take any pictures of that. As is Sara. Shhh. 

Nicole flipped out and we hugged and hugged. We played inside for a bit and prepared for grandma and Halie. We were going to go to the church and let luca wander in, but we got there too late for that. 

Instead we just had Luca standing by the front door when they got home--and I was behind the door. They were both so excited--and again quick to know it was him--Halie has only met him once before! I was impressed. Luca got overwhelmed--the first of many times--by all the yelling and hugging. But grandma got his love fast. 

We decided to keep it a secret from grandpa too but he ended up finding out, but calling to make sure it wasn't a joke. 

It was awesome!!