If you are thinking of taking a big trip with kids...

... DON'T!!

Once again, Ben got sick on the way out of town for our big vacation (see July post for a reminder of our last big trip). We were fine, great even, until we went through security at the airport. Ben got really agitated and upset and started crying ~ uncharacteristically...he's usually very easy going and doesn't get upset about much. He was clingy and whiny and whimpering. I figured he was just nervous and scared about flying, but at the gate he suddenly spiked a fever and wouldn't eat. He was limp and pale, so I gave him some of the Tylenol I had packed in my purse (I threw it in my purse just at the last minute, thankfully!). Just as we were getting in line to board the plane, Ben said his tummy hurt and then proceeded to throw up all over the carpet at our gate and, after I flung into action and lifted him over the trash can, he finished by spewing his entire stomach contents into the trash can (so much for the Tylenol) ~ at least it wasn't on me, Scott, Cailey, more of the carpet, or anything else we were carrying ~ yes, that's the silver lining in the story. By the time we got in our seats and in the air, the flight had been delayed an hour (ugh!). Then we arrived in Atlanta and waited 45 minutes (!!!!!!) for our luggage. The topper was having to take the MARTA (mass-transit rail system) through downtown Atlanta on a Saturday night (the train was PACKED), with more luggage then we could handle and a sick kid. By the time we arrived at Juli and Robert's house, I was done. But, we were scheduled to go to an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party. I was prepared to back out and stay home with the kids (and with the babysitter), but Juli and Robert convinced us to go ~ the kids would be fine with the babysitter and Ben was fully medicated with Motrin.

The party was a good way to defuse and mellow out after a very stressful travel day. Thanks to Juli, Scott and I had matching Christmas turtlenecks to wear!!! I wonder where those went after the party??? They were so cute, after all. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves :o) :o) I used some discretion and only included the more mild pictures (HEE HEE).