On to San Diego

I just read Rob's commentary on the trip I took with the kids. I may indeed be crazy, but they did such a good job with everything I would do it again in a minute! Anyway, we managed to get all the laundry done, bags repacked, house straightened up, and arrived on time at the Stillwater airport to get on our chartered flight to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl trip. And, BOY, what a trip it has been already!

We arrived at the airport and were given first class "tickets" -really just slips of paper with our name and seat assignment. Some kind soul (or intolerant one who sat by crying Rachel on our return trip last year) decided that the families with young children should get to sit in first class seats this year. I'll tell you, they were nice seats! I have sat first class once before, but doing it with four children in tow really makes you appreciate the room all the more. I actually changed Cole's diaper on the floor between our seats and the row in front of us. For anyone who has ever flown coach, you realize this is a feat impossible there.

Note- No tears from Rachel this year. Maybe she is just a "first class girl".

Robbie wandered up to the cockpit and got to visit for about five minutes with the pilots and got a quick rundown of how things worked. His friend said he was up there "telling them what to do" and my reply was "I certainly hope they don't listen". Robbie's comment when he came back to the seat, "There were a LOT of buttons."



The three hour flight went well, but involved a lot of seat switching with our group. These flights are very relaxed though, so we just blended in with everyone else.

Our hotel (The Hyatt) is right downtown so it was only a 15 minute ride from the airport. Upon arrival and receiving our room keys, we went upstairs and found that not only did we have adjoining rooms (which we generally get when the kids accompany us on a trip) we actually have a suite with a HUGE parlor area between the bedrooms. The whole setup is probably twice as big as the first apartment we lived in for two years when we first were married. We have a dining room, a kitchen (including all but a stove/oven), living room, three bathrooms, and two bedrooms. Kiddie goodie bags (backpacks with crayons and snacks) were waiting for the kids. Beverages (water, soda, and the adult variety), fruit, nuts, and fancy snack tray were waiting for us as well. The lights were all and music was playing. This hotel (in conjunction with the official hosts of the Holiday Bowl) really play up the hospitality here.

We arrived in San Diego around 3 p.m. (PT) and we have done the following so far: a grocery run (Krista), set up/play in the hotel training room (Rob/kids), set up practice stadium training room (Rob), played in our room, played in the kids' "hospitality room", eaten dinner, put kids to bed, visited the adult hospitality room (Rob), and logged on to internet using the VIP guest login/password for free internet use.

In summary, there are some perks for Rob working the hours he does all year long. Although he is more important to me than the perks, it is nice to pampered like this and know that he (and his role in the program) are recognized and appreciated. More photos and updates as the week progresses.