We left for PDX around 5am on Monday 17th June. It was really nice having Liz there to help get the kids up and going. The boys were 'chomping at the bit' to get on the plane and I was generally surprised with how smoothly getting out the door was; if only we had that same sort of "you might miss your flight" pressure on Sundays. :)
Well, those good feelings all went flying out the window when we arrived at the US Airways check-in desk...this became a running theme with this airline for the remainder of our trip much to my dismay...ugh.
The girls were travelling as lap children and each was supposed to be tagged to either Ryan or myself. As Ryan was staying only the first 2 weeks of the trip; one of the girls needed to be tagged to my friend, Catriona (who was returning with us) on the way back to the States. It didn't seem too complicated to me, but oh, it really was to the airline. They insisted Penelope hadn't been paid for when we first arrived at PDX and were not backing down on it despite the fact that I had my receipt to show them. I had to get REALLY upset with them and call Ryan's aunt (who had been our travel agent) before they finally found her on their system and saw that she had actually been paid for. Was there an apology from them? No. And that was only the first terrible encounter with them of many, unfortunately.
We get on the plane and we weren't seated together. Thankfully a few lovely girls who were also travelling together and had been scattered in between us were, of course, happy to move so that we were all back with our respective families again. I really don't know about that airline!
It was a 6 hour flight and the kiddos did really great. It felt pretty long, but I knew the worst was still to come and I was bracing myself for the next flight. The boys only slept a little, and the although the girls a bit more, it was never at the same time. I don't know how Ryan did it, but I always ended up with the wide awake twin and he always had the one who was out for the count! Ha. He was able to sleep a little and I was like the walking dead.
I am pretty fond of the Philadelphia airport. I've been through it a number of times now and the wee ones always have a good old play in the kiddie area that is set up like a plane. The girls really loved it, especially Miss Olive. She is such a wee tomboy and was pushing her way past much older kids to get the coveted captain's seat.
The second flight was a total hassle. When we got on the plane we were shocked that again we were not sitting together. I really couldn't believe that it would be so difficult to seat a family together. Ryan was on one side of the plane with Peter and Penelope and I was on the other with my two. I asked a number of people if they would be willing to move so that we could be together and everyone said 'No'. I was most annoyed with the man sitting on the aisle seat of my row. I told him that I hoped he didn't mind that I may need to get in and out a few times with Jack and to change nappies. He didn't seem to care at that point, but I'm pretty sure he did when I had to wake him up about 3 times to get out to the loo with a kid and also when Jack(who was sound asleep) started kicking him because he kept trying to stretch out! Ha! Olive may also have grabbed his thigh a time or two when she was trying to squeeze by.
We sat for 2 hours on that roasting plane with no air conditioning while we waited for the captain to get some smoke goggles in his emergency case. It was torture.
Eight odd hours later we landed in Glasgow, and I burst into tears. I was totally overwhelmed with joy to be home and to get off that nightmare plane!
We were greeted by my Grandpa and Granny Clark and my parents. Our flight was an hour and a half or so late, but we got out of the airport relatively quickly and were home before we knew it. We were so happy to see Uncle Neal, Auntie Isabel, and Sonny at the house.
We were all utterly exhausted and the girls weren't able to keep their eyes open for too long. It was and always is, a much harder transition going there due to the loss of time; I'd say it usually takes us a good 2 weeks to get completely adjusted to the time change, and that's why I was happy myself and the kids would be there for 4 weeks.
There were lots of pajama walks to 'the field' by Calderglen with Sonny in the evenings. A very favourite activity with all our wee ones; they loved Sonny so much. Jack really enjoyed holding the leash and you can only imagine the laughing that ensued when Sonny had to stop for a pee...yes, my little boys thought it was hilarious.
I can't remember the exact order of the rest of our holidays in Scotland, but I will highlight some of our favourite things we did with the family and a few things Ryan and I did just by ourselves.
We spent a day at Pollock Estate with my Mum, Dad, and Uncle Neal. We enjoyed the pretty grounds, before Ryan and I ducked inside with the girls to look around the house. It was quite lovely, and we both particularly liked the library area. Just as we were about it exit it a wee tour guide lady came over and starting telling us all sorts of interesting facts about the house. She started following us from room to room and this is how she'd start each conversation, "Do you know what I hate about this room?" Then she went onto tell about either a painting in it she despised or how ugly the carpet or wall paper was. HAHA! It was so funny. We were absolutely busting up laughing.
We left a wee while later and headed to the Burrell Collection.
The boys, and girls played outside with cool Uncle Neal, Granny and Grandpa at the park, while Ryan and I went into look around the Collection. My favourite part always has and always will be looking at the gorgeous Degas paintings.
I picked up a wee set of Katie Morag books in the shop and was quite pleased to have those to read to my kiddies when got back to America.
Another day shortly after arriving the sun was out again and we headed to Troon beach. We walked through the wee town, stopping in at a few nice shops and my Dad showed us where he used to work when he first started out as a lawyer.
Once at the beach we looked around a little for my brother, Daniel, his wife, Martha, and their wee boy, who were supposed to be meeting us there. I was really excited to meet my nephew, wee Daniel, for the first time. They arrived just as were were starting our picnic and, awe, it was so great to see them and meet wee Daniel in the flesh. The last time I was home was for their wedding 2 1/2 years earlier and now they had a 1 yr old! He was into everything and marching about the place quite the thing.
Big Daniel and Wee Daniel!
We all had a really swell time playing in the sand, splashing in the cold waves, and enjoying each other's company. Peter and Jack were a little upset that wee Daniel and Olive kept destroying their sand castles, but on the whole it was a really fab day. Note: We found out that Penelope CAN NOT stand the sand. She refused to put her feet in it and burst into tears when sand came near her. She must take after Auntie Isabel, she doesn't like the sand very much either.
I like this wee family pic with the Troon beach behind us; it really was a beautiful day and I was so so happy to be home.
It happened to be the day the Glasgow taxi's drive the special needs kids from Central Glasgow to the beach. There was a fair going on and lots of cartoon characters out to entertain the kids. Peter and the girls seemed a little hesitant to go near these guys, but Jack was straight into the middle of them for a pic.
This trip is WAY out of order, as it was the last day Ryan had in Scotland before heading home. He had been desperate to go to St. Andrews for quite some time. He's big into golf. I'm not sure why we never went before, but it was high priority this time around. My Dad dropped us in Glasgow and we took the 2 1/2 hour bus drive up there by ourselves. The views were beautiful the entire way up and I asked Ryan a few times if he'd be happy living in any of the wee towns along the way....if only we had a job there and an abundance of money.
We headed straight to the Cathedral grounds, explored the grounds, climbed the claustrophobic, and terrifying tower, but reaped some incredible views of St.Andrews as our reward. I was blown away by the beauty of it all. I'd have been happy to stay there forever.
We walked along the pier and then to the castle. It was in a fairly ruined state, but we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all that we could.
We had lunch at Nando's and then finished up our day with the golf museum (Yes, I did beg Ryan to go in alone while I waited outside, but he in return begged me to go in with him...I gave in), and a nice walk around the outskirts of the 'Old Course'.
I could tell Ryan was thrilled to pieces as he looked onto the course. Next goal, he wants to play on it. He'll need to start saving his money for that and get himself certified as a "good" enough golfer before that can happen though. He is determined, so I'm sure it will happen one day.
It was a really amazing day out and we were grateful to my mum and siblings who watched our wee ones while we saw the sights alone together.
