Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Good Bye St. Maarten, Hello USA!


The Sonesta in Maho was our home for about 2 days, and I must say it was heaven not to have to clean up the place. (not that I left it in a pig pen state). Tyson had fun in and around the pool area and loved to rearrange the gigantic chess pieces. He thought that was the best game ever.
Then it was 12 hours and 3 plane rides later with only 1 hour delay in Dallas and we were able to finally make it home to Colorado. I was sure we were going to have to spend the night in San Juan, but luck was on our side that day and we made it. It was hard to say goodbye to our friends/family and the beauty of St. Maarten, however, being home is so nice (even though I have officially frozen off my toes and fingers, but I love it). If you look really close at the picture you can see that we have our 10 suitcases loaded in the car and we all look hammered, but thrilled to be home. We looked like a band of gypsies going through customs. Vaughn had one of those cart things for 8 of the 10 suitcases, and I had Tyson in the stroller, holding his carry on, while I juggled pushing the stroller, holding my computer bag, and the car seat, pulling the last carry on bag. WHEW!! It was a bit crazy and chaotic but we made it without any problems. I think everyone in customs could see that we had so much stuff and that we were struggling, so they just stamped us through quickly. NICE! That has got to be the quickest I have even gone through customs, EVER! Tyson was an angel and slept on all three plane rides, giving Vaughn and I a chance to catch up on some sleep as well. When we landed in Dallas I about cried, because I knew I was really in the USA! (The ground just felt a little lighter to walk on.) The plane ride to Denver couldn't go fast enough for me and when we touched down, I was ready to go and find Vaughn's family and get to Manassa. Although, we have had jet lag for several days, and trouble breathing in this high altitude, I love it anyway.

We spent 1 day in Manassa to unpack and then repack for a 9 hour drive to Utah on Sunday. Tyson and I are with Grandma T and Papa Westwood for the week and Vaughn is studying for the step one test, which he will take next Friday. We miss you all who are still on the ROCK and hope finals went well for you all.

4 comments:

Cluff Family said...

YAY... you made it safe and sound! We REALLY Miss you already!!! Good luck to Vaughn next week! Enjoy your time in Utah.... your family is in our prayers... especially your dad! We LOVE YOU NICOLE!!!
-JIll

ashreims said...

Glad the trip went without a hitch! Good luck to Vaughn next week! Enjoy the time with your family!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear you made it back!! Can you believe it? You are done with island life?!?! Wooohooo!!!
Tell Vaughn I said to kick some butt next week! :)

Krista K.

No longer exists said...

I am glad to hear that you made it home safely! You are in our thoughts and prayers! Tell Vaughn good luck on the step! We are pulling for you guys!