Going home

We’re on our way back home to visit the USA for the first time since July 2006 – nearly 16 months – well, that is except for Kelli (she had to go back for a funeral earlier this year.) The kids were so excited that we had to keep them focused on the Halloween party instead of getting too far ahead of themselves. Collin, though, during the Halloween party came up and asked me, “Can we go to grandma’s now?” Then after the Halloween party it was now, “How many more sleeps until we get on the airplane?” Yes, we don’t count days or even moons, but sleeps as the measure of time in our home.

With 4 different flights going from Adelaide to Melbourne to Honolulu to Los Angeles to Salt Lake City … on 4 different airlines (pieced together for the cheapest deal possible) we were somewhat leery of everything working out. But, the first leg to Melbourne went great on the ‘kandaroo airplane’. Both Hunter and Collin were so excited to see the airplanes in the airport. Qantas is the ‘high-class’ airline so the kids were entertained with Freddo entertainment bags and food – so no need to dip into the limited supply of attention grabbers in their Dora and Sport suitcases. Uneventful and even enjoyable … Then we had a long 6-hour layover in Melbourne before boarding Jetstar (or Star Jet, as Collin called it) to Honolulu. Luckily in the baggage claim area there was a small helicopter that had lights and stuff which the kids played on for about 2 hours! Add in a game of Disney Uno and lunch and we were half-way through our 6 hours! We then were able to check in our luggage and then wander the international terminal with all the shops and stuff. They have a Krispy Kreme there in Melbourne so we couldn’t resist the $2.50 - $3.00 price tag per donut! We managed to finagle our way through immigration again but had the trouble once again with the fact we have two passports (government and tourist) and that we are on military orders and don’t have a normal visa. But … we did get through eventually.

If any 10-hour flight with 3 young children could be considered a good one, this one to Honolulu was. We were stocked with food and games because this was the low-budget airline and didn’t offer hardly anything without a price tag. There were nearly 10 rows of empty seats behind us – so the minute the seat belt light went off we spread out and turned it into a Jones family suite – well, two rows of it at least. The kids did a pretty good job of keeping themselves entertained via coloring books, various arts and crafts, movies … and food. Collin and Hunter fell asleep right off, but then woke up an hour later. That was bad because then when it came time to actually sleep (3 hours into the flight, Collin was in late-night mode ...) and I had the pleasure of staying up with him … .well, most of the time. I think I lost him halfway through Return of the Jedi. Hunter managed a couple laps around the last half of seats in economy towards the end of the flight ‘entertaining’ and probably annoying some of the other passengers … but all in all the kids were really well behaved and we couldn’t have asked for better. Kelli managed around 2 hours of good sleep and I was in there around 3!!

Arriving in Honolulu was awesome – just stepping off the plane and breathing that humid, tropical 78’F air was rejuvenating. We rented a car and drove over to the other side of the island where we stayed last year. It’s a private government beach and even though it was busy on a Friday with a lot of official military ‘functions’, (aka, beach parties), we found a beach that was largely all our own. Savannah did her usual mermaid moves rolling in the surf and Collin was even brave going into the breakers a bit – those swim lessons must be paying off. Hunter was the laugh though. His inner brain couldn’t quite grasp the idea of standing still while the waves either went up the beach, or were receding into the ocean. If he was facing the ocean and the waves were coming at him, he would fall on his rear every time as the surf hit him. A couple of times he even fell all the way onto his back and just laid there with his arms outstretched while the surf was up around his ears. If the surf was going back out to sea, he felt he had to keep up with the outgoing water so he’d start running towards the ocean as fast as he could to keep up … only to lose his footing and crash headfirst into the ocean. It was pretty hilarious and he didn’t seem to mind the sand in his hair, diaper, swimsuit, etc. The beach time was a welcome reprieve for the airports and airplanes … but we were all pretty exhausted after a couple of hours. We took showers at the bath house and then headed off around the south part of Oahu where we parked a tourist lot for an ocean geyser and took an hour nap (except Kelli, who rearranged the bags, cleaned the car, took a ton of pictures of the Blowhole, and listened to the radio until she was bored out of her mind). This is a trip of stealing little tidbits of sleep wherever and whenever you can …

Some of the sights/sounds/tastes in the good ol’ USA were very much enjoyed. Just to name a few – we had lemonade (real lemonade, not sprite as the Aussies refer to it) at dinner (I think I drank 2 liters all by myself … but the kids sucked it up as well, after they asked what it was called 3 or 4 times) We also saw full-size shopping carts and were able to pay at the pump! Oh the luxury!! I don’t know if it’s the culture or what, but the courtesy and customer service seemed at a different level as well. It was just good to hear an American accent and know that what you were saying was understood in word and context. It was kind of weird to realize that we basically had two Fridays of flying … and the flight from Melbourne to Honolulu and Honolulu to Los Angeles were taking place at the same time!

After I finished this portion of the diary entry, all @#%* broke loose as our flight from Honolulu to LAX was first delayed for an hour and a half (never a good sign), and then finally cancelled around midnight – the kids were extremely tired and cross … and we now had a problem of not getting to LA in time to meet our connecting flight on Southwest. I’ll just insert Kelli’s e-mails to family to tell the whole story (her method of venting as we waited in the military lounge at the airport for the entire next day prior to boarding a Delta flight the following evening to LA.) My bottom line – if you have the choice … do not fly Northwest. Even the flight back from LA to Honolulu did not go off without it’s own glitches.

From Kelli’s e-mails …….

Well, for anyone who hasn't heard, we will not be arriving in Salt Lake as expected. In fact we won't be in until tomorrow (Sunday), but we're excited to see you then. I'll give you the scoop, since we're sitting in the USO Military lounge at the moment and I have a computer to use. Everything went quite smoothly until we learned, just before boarding our 10:10 flight on Northwest last night that it would be delayed 1 1/2 hours. Jessy's blood pressure went right up, since our Southwest connection at LAX was only 2 1/2 hours after we were supposed to land originally. The poor kids were hammered, but did pretty well playing and stuff in the airport while they kept stalling with "updates." And Hunter and Savannah even fell asleep...just before they announced that the flight was cancelled. Finally, at midnight they sent us all away with numbers for rebooking (great for everyone with US cell phones :-( ), and put us up in a hotel. We were some of the last to collect our luggage, get our vouchers, etc, and ended up waiting FOREVER for a shuttle to take us to the hotel--these lines reminded me of WWII bread lines. People were very nice--lots of people helped us with luggage, and one lady even gave us some extra strength aloe vera gel for Savannah's sunburn around her eyes (yes, we went to the beach, and yes, she did have sunblock on). When we got to the hotel and called to rebook, they were unwilling to get us any further than LA. We were upset because it was their fault (a mechanical problem), but they refused to budge. (We now know that those who travel Northwest frequently refer to it as Northworst.) Anyway, we got to bed around 1:30 and got up to rush to the airport by 7:30, ended up staying in line for over two hours, and, to make a long story not much longer, they ended up booking us for a Delta flight and the connection to Salt Lake. YEA!!! We'll leave tonight at 10ish and get in tomorrow at 10ish (for our picker-uppers it's Delta flight 1704 arriving at 10:22--if you keep us waiting curbside too long, you might have a revolt!!) Some people are here for a few more days--a nice elderly couple isn't so upset, since they're putting them up at the Marriott on Waikiki tonight.

So, that's the story, minus the crying kids, upset parents, and lots of little details. Hopefully, we'll make it to the beach again (or somewhere else fun)--Jessy's going to check on rental cars right now. Maybe we'll come back with nice Hawaiian tans and pineapples for everyone (don't count on either one!).

Well, it turns out that there were either no cars available for today, or they were very costly, so we decided to hang out in the USO lounge until dinner. It's actually not so bad--Hunter has been asleep for a couple of hours now, and Jessy and I were able to sneak in a 1/2 hour nap, too. Sometime while we were sacked out on the floor and chair, Savannah curled up on a rug and looks like a sleeping cat. So, hopefully, we're able to get some zzz's in and not be quite so tired tomorrow. Collin has been our champ sleeper so far--he slept almost the entire JetStar flight (did I mention it was pretty empty, so we got 8 seats for our family? not so bad!), and is very proud of that fact. We're hoping the kids all sleep on the flight tonight as well. We also did a lot of sleeping in the minivan yesterday--the kids each got two or three naps and Jessy and I each had one (not while driving). Northwest gave us vouchers for food, etc., last night and this morning, and then a family not flying Northwest gave us theirs, too, so when Jessy, Savannah, and Collin came back with lunch, they were loaded with all the extras--they each had their own favorite drink (usually they end up sharing), and they each had some fake flower leis (the vouchers just say $10 from airport vendors...time to do some souvenir shopping). Apparently Northwest will be picking up our phone calls at the hotel, too. Jessy asked about it when we checked out--I guess we should have called everyone we knew since we didn't sleep much with the stress of wondering how we were going to work things out. Let's just say there's no love lost between the Jones fam and Northwest. Although, the staff here at the airport has really been accommodating for the most part--it's the corporate end that has us frustrated.

Well, I guess I'll go find something better to do than complain. We're looking forward to seeing everyone. It's the only thing keeping us from turning back, or staying 2 weeks in Hawaii.

...Those were the emails, but I do have to add that we got onto the Delta flight leaving Honolulu just fine, but after being seated for a rather long time, the pilot came over the intercom saying there was a problem arming one of the doors and that they were having to call in a mechanic, so we'd be delayed. Jessy and I exchanged some serious "you've got to be kidding me" looks, and started to get worried when the mechanic was there for more than just a minute or two. After what seemed like forever (in reality, only 15 minutes or so), they got the doors working okay--nobody got sucked out midflight--and we were able to take off. We were late leaving, and slightly worried about making our connection. Luckily, we walked off our flight to the gate next door where the flight to Salt Lake had just started boarding--talk about timing!!

………………………………………………………….

Anyway – we won't dwell on that part of the trip since the rest of everything was fantastic. After arriving in SLC early Sunday morning we met Mark (Erica’s fiancé at the time) for the first time. Definitely a good ‘bloke’ and we were very happy for Erica and Mark. As usually happens with jet lag, the next couple of days were a blur. Some other ‘American’ things were a welcome breath of fresh air like full-flush toilets, sporting events on live (and not during the wee hours of the morning), and of course family very close by. Ben, Sam and Caelin were at Grandma and Grandpa Whetstone's and at first the kids were a little shy around one another … but soon warmed up and were chasing each other everywhere. Sunday was spent recuperating … Monday just lounging around letting the kids play and then the wedding dinner in the evening along with Savannah learning how to play tennis on Chris’s Wii (she actually got pretty good at it – including the grunts with each swing!) … Tuesday the wedding in the morning (cute pix of the kids at the temple) and the reception that evening … Wednesday happy times with Halloween (Savannah wanted to keep going all night--surprise, surprise … and Hunter wanted to stop trick-or-treating and ride a little kids bike that he spotted in one of the garages as we passed by) and riding with Grandpa on his 4-wheelers… Thursday bowling with Grandma and Grandpa and Ben … Friday we wrapped things up and headed up to Logan! Sam had the croup, pneumonia and strep throughout the week which wasn’t very fun for him. Hunter started coming down with it while up in Logan, but knowing it was a possibility we quickly got him on antibiotics and he didn’t get too sick … thank goodness! Collin and Hunter struggled with the cough, but luckily they mostly rid themselves of it before we started heading home. We loved spending time at G&G Whetstone's and had great American food and laughs to hopefully last us the next 8 months in Australia …

Up in Logan was more cousin time with Anna and Mia. Once again was the adjustment period for everyone to get used to each other. It wasn’t too bad, though, and soon they were out playing in the leaves (ah, the refreshing smell of the autumn leaves and the nostalgia of their crunch underneath your feet as you walk around. Hunter couldn't get over walking through knee-deep leaves). The playhouse is holding up well (the one Jessy built in Albuquerque), and the kids reacquainted themselves with it over the first day --- it fits perfectly on Jacob and Robyn’s back patio. We had a great time Friday spending time with everyone. Grandma Jones and Jenny were already up there and Great Grandma/Grandpa Jones and Grandpa Jones were coming up the next morning. On Saturday we had more company with Michelle and Adelyn. Then Mom Jones and Robyn cooked a Thanksgiving feast for the ages – it was the kind that just melts in your mouth with all of the fixings. It was awesome and gave us a reprieve from cooking our own turkey later this month in 100’F heat down in Adelaide!! Sunday we spent going to church and driving with Nathan up the canyon. Monday I went over to ATK Thiokol and scouted things out for a potential career change into industry (no decisions yet but with the Academy slot falling through looks like we have some tough decisions to make), and we went and shot guns at the Avon property which was a kick in the pants and a good time (although Collin doesn’t like the loud noise!) We had a great object lesson for FHE by Robyn and Savannah, which ended with making Mom’s homemade chocolates (only minor corn starch casualties on this occasion!) … Tuesday we had to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Jones as they headed back to St George. We sure had fun with everyone while they were around and it was hard to say goodbye … again. We then went fishing with Jacob at the mouth of the canyon and both Anna and Collin had the chance to reel in a fish Jacob caught for them! One slapped Collin in the face and gave us all a good laugh. Then we stopped in for some Aggie ice cream and oh boy, that pumpkin shake was thick and creamy – don’t find that kind of quality in Oz so we lost ourselves in the moment. Wednesday I went swimming with Nathan and Jacob and then we had to pack things up and say goodbye once again. Savannah, Collin and Hunter had a great time with everyone up in Logan and it was good for them to get some time with Anna and Mia … and the new baby (or babies as the case may be, eh Robyn? Robyn was having an ultrasound to find out a few things yesterday … can’t wait to get the news).

Before we knew it we were saying goodbye to our Loganite family – Jacob, Robyn and Nathan were very gracious hosts and we were extremely grateful for their hospitality. We returned to West Valley only to get packed up and spend some time with our Whetstone family and say goodbye to Jenny (hope that stomach is feeling better, Jen!)

We had too much fun with everyone and were sad to say goodbye on Thursday. It was a great time and made as all the more grateful for the times we were able to spend together. We will miss the box of diapers for $17, the abundance of shopping options with reduced prices (where a sale actually means more than 5 cents off and the items advertised are generally available) … but right now Australia is home and we are looking forward to returning where our ‘rump rests’ (name that movie!) and where the kids have their routine.

So far, so good on our way back to Australia. We made it to Honolulu last night and then spent the evening at a hotel and now we are currently 36,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Hawaii and Australia. Although looking forward to getting back to our routine back ‘home’ we are already looking forward to the next time we are ‘home’. Thanks to everyone who made our trip such a memorable one.

Ok, we are home and after 6 hours of sleep we are now awake at 4 in the morning. Oh, the glories of jet lag. Of course, it wouldn’t be our family without someone doing something different – Collin snoozed until 5:30 … I’m sure it will take some time to adjust, but looking forward to all of our church, work and family responsibilities --- that will keep us from missing everyone too much back home. We even have our good friends from Sydney (Kevin, Stacy, Madi, Coop and Rylee) coming for a visit in January so that gives everyone something to look forward to. Thanks everyone and we’ll see you again soon!