Cash and Carried in the City

We just got back from our annual trip home to visit family and friends and here's a highlights of the 2+ weeks we were there just to give you an idea of how it all went! I know it's long but feel free to skim through.

Memorable Event #1
We left for London on a not so early flight which was a blessing! We booked a taxi, got to the airport early, and went through check-in and security with minimal fiasco. Upon boarding the flight the lady 4 seats over was being told that there were towels on the seat in front of her due to condensation dripping from the air conditioning. It all seemed to be fine but got worse as we were sitting there waiting for takeoff. The lady next to her (and several of us throughout the plane) had the same issue arise quickly and was complaining to the attendants. I'm sorry, but there isn't much they could do and it seemed a little dramatic to yell at them for what was basically dripping water. What was even more dramatic: the lady previously mentioned (mind you dressed very retro and with bright red lipstick) pulled out an umbrella to diver the dripping water!! We got a $150 voucher for our troubles. [Matt wouldn't let me take a photo!]


Memorable Event #2
Matt's dad got a really sweet 2 year old Boston Terrier [Rosco] from a lady in San Antonio found through craigslist. Sarah, Matt's niece, also got a Boston Terrier [Brandon] for her birthday this past year. Each dog is an individual in their own rights but truth be told that it takes quite a bit of patience and skill to train these boys. Brandon was definitely a handful and Rosco was sweet but seemed very nervous in his new environment. Matt did a marvelous job with Rossi and I probably contributed about 5% to his upbringing. Saying that though, getting all three dogs together was not a possibility as who knows what they would do! At the Hopper home we had Bailey and Rossi taking over and the discussions of a possible by Garett and his fiance, Morgan. Anyway, Matt's parents decided that Rosco was too much to handle and decided that they needed to re-home him so guess who inherited a Boston Terrier...all in the family!

Memorable Event #3
Tola...sweet Tola. Tola has had some serious but serious health issues. My poor sister and brother-in-law are at a wits end to figure out a solution to his eczema, a helmet was fitted to reshape his head (which he adjusted to), and a household of dogs didn't make matters easier. Even though he's had such a stressful couple of months it was amazing to see him 'try' to enjoy his first Christmas, watch my sister turn into a mom overnight (mind you she was preggo last time I saw her!), and appreciate my family being every ounce that they are.

Memorable Event #4
Dad missed Christmas...yep! I think the first time EVER!! He had what was suppose to be an overnight stay after a quick surgery...but due to additional findings they made him stay in longer. Then doctors were off for the holidays, nurses didn't believe him, and mom being stressed and making dad stressed didn't help matters. Of course we were there to annoy him and check up on him to keep him company.



Memorable Event #5
United Airlines lost Matt's guitar (and less significant, a piece of luggage). After having a friend wait for us to check in to make sure we could take it on board the plane we were told everything would be fine. Due to a small plane size, larger items had to be 'gate' checked and then picked up when you de-planed. We got off at Chicago and there was no guitar. After a lot of confusion, some indifferent fight attendants, some persistent pilots, and a nice customer service rep we were told it was left on the cart and thus diverted to Dulles (Washington DC) then on to London. At least they knew where it was. Anyway, long story short...they found it and we got another $150 voucher.


Memorable Event #6
New Years Eve at Tomatillos with the Wilson Family and old Architecture buddies. We packed the house with a total of 15 people and enjoyed one last night of mexican food and margaritas. We skipped out before midnight and avoided the salsa dancing and live band but the evening was too short to catchup on everything. Hopefully we've enticed enough people to come and crash on our lovely floor over the next year or two...

:) KayDawn

PS. I've posted all the photos on Flikr with the ones with other people and/or kids being set to private. You have to have permission to see them, but if you're a member or want to be my 'friend', let me know!