It always amazes me that we can pack in one day (ok, maybe 2) but it takes me at least a week to unpack. This trip was no different. The planning for this trip started nearly a year ago when we started talking with Dave's sisters about celebrating their parent's 50th wedding anniversary. Art had always wanted to visit Norway, so they ended up choosing a cruise that went from Iceland to Norway through the Fjords. A trip like this was exciting to think about, and terrifying at the same time because we were not taking Jackson and Addison. I mean really, there was nothing pleasant about considering taking them on a plane the time it would take to get over there, so that was out. But having never left them for more than a few days, this thought made gearing up for the trip difficult, especially when we got all the "in case" paperwork ready to go. I mean, really?
For the kids, we left love bugs that had a note for them from us every day when they woke up. We didn't talk while we were gone because that would have been too hard! They did lots of activities with both Grandma and Grandpa H, and Aunt Tara, Uncle Ed and Uncle Travis. It was a family affair! Jackson started OT while there, so that gave them something else to do also. (It was exciting to come home and see some of the growth he's had, just in the two weeks we were gone...but that's another post).
Due to the timing of our flights, we left the kids Sunday night, and that was the HARDEST part. We flew to Phoenix for our first leg of the flight and spent the night. Monday morning, we boarded the plane and flew to Minneapolis and then on to Reykjavik, Iceland. We arrived in the morning their time, not our time so it was go, go, go. They drove us around the city on a bus "showing us the town" while they waited for our rooms to get ready at the hotel. In the afternoon, we took a bus tour out to a spectacular waterfall and geysers. Only problem there was staying awake on the bus ride home! We had dinner at the hotel, and tried to figure out what the tip should be in Icelandic Kroners, only to find out later that tipping in Iceland is not customary. We definitely slept well that night and were up and ready to board the boat the following day.
We cruised with Regent cruises on the Seven Seas Voyager. It holds about 700 guests, so as cruise ships go, it wasn't too large or small. The rooms were all suite style, so we had a king size bed, a small sitting area with a couch and table that lead onto a patio. The bathroom was full with a shower and a full bath. Aboard the ship, they had two formal restaurants that we ate at three times. The other nights we went to the main restaurant. We had the same waiter the entire time, and he was a riot. He was full of personality, and absolutely helped make the nights. The food was "fancy" as Dave put it, and though it was good, it started to get old towards the end. Everyone was ready for some good old fashioned Mexican with a fair amount of spice. We ended up finishing most nights at the entertainment for the night. They did a good job.
We only had one day where we were at sea the whole day, and that was the day we crossed the Arctic Circle. Man, typing that, it's crazy to know that we really were at the top of the world! It was the wrong time of the year to see the Northern Lights, so that was a bummer. Getting used to having the sun up all day and all night was hard to do. In fact, I now know that I would not be able to live where that happens. Thank goodness for black out curtains. We didn't have much of a problem with the rolling of the ship. There were only two nights where dramamine was required for Dave and I. We all used the spa on ship, and we were able to get Art converted to massages! We climbed the stairs every time we went anywhere, which was great. It's easy to feel sluggish on the ship. On one of the nicer days, we even went and used the hot tub...that was neat. It was on top of the ship, and we were looking out at the crisp waters. Awesome.
Traveling home was the LONGEST day ever. We were up for close to 26 hours. Yes, we tried to sleep a little on the planes, but we didn't want to sleep too much because it was night when we got home. We flew from Copenhagen to London and then London to Phoenix and then Phoenix to my parent's. We got in a little early from London and were excited to try and get an earlier flight home to the kids. It didn't work out, and I ended up in tears in the airport. I was hungry and exhausted and just wanted my kiddos in my arms, not a good combination at all. Poor Dave. But he got me food and Starbucks and we made it. When we got home, both kids were asleep. We gave them hugs. Addison woke up and fell into my arms and went right back to sleep. Jackson didn't wake up, but then woke up at 2 and gave us the biggest hugs and crawled in bed with us. Addison did too later, and I know that's the first night that Dave has not minded at all that we were in a queen bed with the four of us. Best way to wake up! It's taken us a week to get a good nights sleep now that we are home though. Traveling sure does things to your body!
All in all, this trip was amazing. While we were gone, Dave had painters come to our house to finish a few projects and clean up my ceilings (I'm not perfect!). It was an awesome surprise, but while they did a great job, they didn't put anything back. So it's taken us all week to get laundry done, and things put back on the walls so that our house is finally starting to feel put together again.
