Getting to Washington for Christmas! - 2024/12/22

We've had a lot of fun in Michigan celebrating Ethan and his graduation from college, but this season it's supposed to be Christmas with my family, so we've got to get going! 

It has been a lot of fun seeing all the Michigan family and friends. Playing games together at Aubrey and Jared's place. Doing video games in Ethan's room with Ethan and Austin. 

But we couldn't leave before Ethan's big graduation party at the house. Like literally couldn't leave. We were responsible for making the fettuccine alfredo to feed 39 people, while other people made the salad, bread, corn, and green beans. 

It was a big party with lots of friends and family! Congrats Ethan! 

And sure, why not try a few extra Christmassy treats too. A Danish Kringle filled with almond paste. It was really sweet and probably too much almond flavor for me. Maybe if I can find another flavor. 

And the Myers family has a friend that is really into baking and gave us a tray with 11 unique cookie types! So good! Everyone is sure to find something they'll enjoy. 

Before we go to the airport, Ian wanted to read his latest story he's written. It's a Will and the Weasel Christmas Special! 

Who doesn't love traveling at the airport during the holidays? It's always so calm and peaceful...

It's dark out, but are we going to the airport early or late? 

Late! No one wants to get up early! Richard dropped us off around 9pm at the Detroit airport. 

We've boarded! Time to fly to... Denver? Yes, we're just getting halfway there for now. We'll spend the night, and continue our journey on the 23rd. 

Frontier touts itself as the "Greenest Airline" and on the tail of each of their airplanes, they have a different animal. If you're lucky, you can collect the card for it from a flight attendant. This plane is Chocolate the Moose! 

Well I haven't de-planed like this in a while! Usually it's in a tropical foreign country. I'm surprised Frontier uses this method in Denver when the weather outside can be nasty and cold. 

We got outside just a few minutes past midnight, making the very last hotel shuttle of the night. 

Ready to go to sleep! It's 12:30am here, but it's a 2 hour time difference! It feels like 2:30am to us! Despite that, the kids still wanted me to read to them before bed. 

The next morning, Theresa deliberately picked an afternoon flight, knowing no one is going to want to wake up early. Sure enough, I was the only one awake enough to head to breakfast before it ended at 9:30am. 

These egg bites were fantastic, reminding me of the Starbucks ones. 

And they had a waffle station! I raided the dried fruit section too to get dried pineapple and coconut on my waffle. So good! 

Made it to the airport and through security! For being 2 days to Christmas, it really wasn't bad. 

And look who else is on their way to the airport! The rest of the Colorado clan is also headed to the airport. We're crossing our fingers that there are no flight disasters like when we did this 2 years ago. Avery has horrible memories of driving to the airport in a blizzard, having flights cancelled, having no luggage because they already took it, and having to drive back home in the heavy snow in the dark and missing Christmas day. They were able to fly out a couple days later, but still. 

We've got enough time to get food at the airport. With choices like Chick-fil-A, McDonalds, Chinese, or Pizza Hut, they surprised us and picked Pizza Hut. They somehow managed to finish 3 personal pan pizzas between the two of them. 

Carolers were dressed in their holiday finest and wandering around the terminal singing. It was quite lovely. 

And this little therapy dog has a vest that says "Pet Me!" Definitely!

Well look who found us! Gram and Pop Pop (making it through security super quick) intercepted us as we were walking to our gate! 

And a very short time later, who else should appear, but Avery! 

Hugs! 

Plus Megan and Patrick! Nice onesie Patrick! 

Looks like everyone is here! They're flying out an hour or so after us, so they've got a little bit longer to wait around. 

It's time to fly! 

We're fortunate to have good weather today. Don't even need a jacket. 

Boarded and ready to fly to Washington!

While the rest of the family has lunch at one of the newer Chinese restaurants. 

But a short time later, they made it onto their plane too! 

And once we arrived in Washington, Jon was there to pick us up from the airport! 

Merry Christmas!