The final leg

The final leg of our journey "home" was as eventful as the others. The kids were again excellent throughout the adventure. We checked into the terminal to find out that a space a flight had left for here about an hour before we got there but that the one the next day may or may not have space. After checking into the hotel I took the kids to Chucky Cheese (they loved it!!) and we crashed. We hung out in the hotel for the morning, returned the rental car, took a taxi back to the hotel, collected our luggage then headed on a shuttle with the nicest driver ever back to the airport. Apparently we were well known as the lady who had helped us at the airport the day before and answered my questions about the shuttle told him that we were a "cute" family and that she hoped we could get on the plane that night. After lugging our stuff in we hung out in the family area for the afternoon and evening. About 7 we made some friends and started waiting for them to call us and finally at 9:45 after thinking we weren't getting on they called several names--the kids were estatic at finally getting on a plane and got stuff together with a very kind lady who waited with them while I got our tickets and luggage checked. We were the last four to board the plane and unfortunately were placed on four aisle seats one behind the other next to people who were not interested in switching so that we could sit together. The kids shocked me by simply sitting down next to their respective strangers (it was 10:15pm at this time) and getting their drinks and gum out. Right before falling asleep Charlie said that he wanted to sit by me--the slept the rest of the flight until we touched down. Heather woke up about 30 minutes before landing and was so excited to get home that she was all smiles. The stewardess helped us off the plane (as if we needed help!!) and two very kind friends met us at teh terminal to help schlep our bags to the car. Our trip was long but fun--and would have been completely impossible if from start to finish we had not had the help from friends and family to make it through.