This is what you resort to for entertainment when stuck in Las Vegas for 15 extra hours
It now takes 20 hours to fly home from Vegas
Ok, maybe that title is a gross generalization. But here is how our day played out yesterday:
1) first plane was broken so we were delayed while they brought in a new one
2) new plane was broken so we were delayed while they fixed that
3) by the time this was done we had gone over the time limit for our pilot and he was no longer legally allowed to fly the plane so they cancelled it
4) with the holiday none of the airlines with partnerships were able to get us on--waited in line for almost 3 hours to figure this out
5) were finally able to get seats on jet blue for the red eye, which was 8 hours later at this point, and we had to pay full price for the tickets since there was no partnership
6) jet blue plane was late arriving at Las Vegas, so we were late in boarding.
7) plane was broken so we were delayed while they fixed that.
8) finally get on jet blue plane and there was a medical emergency right before take off.
9) started at the airport at 9:30am, didn't take off until past midnight. Couldn't sleep even though we were dead tired because we were in the last row with seats that wouldn't recline and listening to the flight attendants banging around the galley.
1) first plane was broken so we were delayed while they brought in a new one
2) new plane was broken so we were delayed while they fixed that
3) by the time this was done we had gone over the time limit for our pilot and he was no longer legally allowed to fly the plane so they cancelled it
4) with the holiday none of the airlines with partnerships were able to get us on--waited in line for almost 3 hours to figure this out
5) were finally able to get seats on jet blue for the red eye, which was 8 hours later at this point, and we had to pay full price for the tickets since there was no partnership
6) jet blue plane was late arriving at Las Vegas, so we were late in boarding.
7) plane was broken so we were delayed while they fixed that.
8) finally get on jet blue plane and there was a medical emergency right before take off.
9) started at the airport at 9:30am, didn't take off until past midnight. Couldn't sleep even though we were dead tired because we were in the last row with seats that wouldn't recline and listening to the flight attendants banging around the galley.
Traveling used to be so much more fun!
New Years Eve
New Years Eve was a great time! We did a laid back evening on the town, and Heather even stayed up until 2AM, which is a big deal for her early bird self. We did dinner at an Italian restaurant with a special menu, then to a piano bar to ring in the new year. We stayed pretty far from the piano though cause that was the most crowded room. We ended up in the atrium in the back next to a fireplace and a heat lamp. It turned out to be pretty comfy, laid back and fun. A perfect night.
Bill and Carolyn.
What do you suppose Bill is thinking? 
Heather goes Pocohontas
Bill and Carolyn.
Heather loves her pink accessories.
Smiling for the camera
What do you suppose Bill is thinking?
Heather goes Pocohontas
Bill Greg and Marwon ringing in the new year.
Family Christmas
This year we went to Greg's brother's home for the family Christmas. Almost everyone was there with the exception of Chris, Kenny, Bret and Todd (that's one sibling and three significant others). Really when you have a family this big, missing four people is "almost" everyone. If this was my side missing four people would be, well, everyone. The dinner was the traditional Ukranian fair. Peedee even pulled out the recipes her Aunt Zinne typed decades ago to create some of the dishes. Pretty cool!
Here Peedee makes my favorite--pirohys. I think that's the spelling, basically they are the Ukranian version of peirogis. She boils them, then reheats them the day of by frying them in butter. They are served with buttered onions, and, as most Ukrianian food is adorned, with sour cream.
Sharon and Austin.
Todd plays with the new wii. I feel so out of the loop with technology. Now that ping pong table in the background is something I can get behind. We actually did play a round robin ping pong game with the kids and a few adults over the day. It was fast paced, fun, and practially a workout.
Banner sleeping. He came running to meet us when we drove up in a typical golden fashion of "oh thank goodness you are here, I've been waiting my entire life to meet you, yay yay yay!"
Pete, Jeannie and Karen relax sans kids.
Some of the boys playing video games.
I bought some beads for the girls to play with. We had fun picking out what we would make.
Greg works too hard.
Johnny arrives with Ella after horrific holiday traffic.
Karen tries to great Ella, but she's shy at first and hides in mom Cindy's lap.
He's awake! But not awake enough for a real smile. I'll take this forced one, though, at least his eyes are open.
The girls with their finished necklaces and bracelets. Looks like someone has been watching enough America's Next Top Model to show off her angles :).
Chilling in the kitchen. Despite the fact noone was caught smiling in this picture, they were having a great time.
The kids table at dinner. They all fit!
Us!
Our Christmas
This was the first year we had a real Christmas tree. We were a bit worried what the dogs would think, after all, they do things to trees we'd rather they not do inside the house. But, it turns out the only misbehavior happened after the fact when Kolohe decided to eat the tree skirt.
He's clearly more amused at this point because he realized Santa hat = attention.
It's Otto Hug Time! He really is the best hugging dog.
Otto shows interest only in the sugar water.
Kolohe smells the tree but loses interest quickly.
Ha!!! It's the only way we could get the Santa hat on his head. Look at that pathetic face.
He's clearly more amused at this point because he realized Santa hat = attention. 
It's Otto Hug Time! He really is the best hugging dog.
Deck the dog with beads and garland, fa la la la la....
Otto gets in on the decorating. Really, such a good sport.
Why snowman why??? I swear we didn't do this to him, he ended up this way on his own. Seriously. Poor snowman.
Greg puts the topper on the tree. See below for a close up of his Santa hat, hee!
Ankle Biters
So Lori had a brand new baby boy recently and Lindsay and I went to go visit her. Of course on the way I had to say hello to Lindsay's family, cause, well, despite the title of this blog I do enjoy children.
Eva is dancing with her toy to Christmas music. Honestly, one of the most adorable things EVER.
I think Lindsay went to the same "school for taking pictures with your eyes closed class" as Greg. This time my excuse is that the camera was dieing and time was limited. Anyways, Lindsay holds William, and Lori and Sam look on.
Eva is dancing with her toy to Christmas music. Honestly, one of the most adorable things EVER.
The Happy Family. I tried to get a picture of Lindsay with her eyes open but Eva was done with picture taking after this one. Sorry Linds!
I think Lindsay went to the same "school for taking pictures with your eyes closed class" as Greg. This time my excuse is that the camera was dieing and time was limited. Anyways, Lindsay holds William, and Lori and Sam look on.
Me with the little guy. And a dog, I know you are surprised.
Overall Lori seems to be coping with the expanded family well. Sam seems to like her little brother, though interest is limited, which is probably because of her age. The dogs are a little starved for attention, but I'm not sure that's any different now, then before kids. I mean, most dogs do think they are the most deprived things on this planet. My own, included.
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