Trip to New York!!

Okay... I am so behind on my blogging! So, I'm going to put things out of order. I'm going to start with the latest news and eventually get to Halloween and Landon's SUPER cute turtle costume...

Okay! So here's Landon and my trip to New York (in a nutshell):

Tuesday (Nov. 4th) - I experienced major anxiety of traveling on planes all the next day... worried about the layover and extreme excitement to see my friend and experience New York!!

Wednesday (5th) - Tyler drove Landon and I to the airport and waited for us to get on the plane. Everything we smoothly. As soon as we got off the plane we had to run to the next plane. I had so much help lugging around my stuff (a carry-on suitcase, big diaper bag, and Landon in his carrier.) Landon was super good on the plane, only a few outbursts! :) Melissa was there to pick us up as soon as we got off the plane. After stopping by Wendy's for a quick sandwich we headed to her place and had a fun evening chatting!

Thursday (6th) - We relaxed and adjusted to the time difference. We went shopping at an interesting grocery story where you have to rent your grocery cart for a quarter, buy your own grocery bags and the cashiers just sit in chairs and throw your groceries into the cart. After you pay for your groceries you pull up to a big metal table and bag your own groceries. It was super strange, but way fun to experience. When we were leaving a little buggie full of Amish folks pulled up and parked. I couldn't help but stare. I am so intrigued by their lifestyle, I'd love to just sit and talk to them - see how they spend their days!

Friday (7th) - This was such a fun day. We went to Palmyra to see the church history sites. We started at the Hill Commorah. It was beautiful!! There was a cool statue covered in ladybugs. Then we took a little tour of the visitor's center, drove by the Palmyra Temple, and saw the replica of Joseph Smith's house and the restored Alvin's house. It was amazing! After touring the homes we walked through the Sacred Grove. It was an amazing experience. It was easy to feel the spirit as we walked and appreciated the beauty we were surrounded by. The ground was covered with the fallen leaves. Landon really enjoyed himself (even though it was pretty chilly). He loved to watch the leaves falling. He looked so cute and never really stopped smiling! Maybe he felt close to the Spirit too, after all he's pretty close with him I'm sure.

Saturday (8th) - I was sick this day... what a bummer! I'm still not sure what I had... the flu, a migraine, a mixture of staying up late and not eating very well the day before...? Any are possible! Anyway... Melissa totally took care of me and watched Landon for me. Thank you Melissa!! Anyway, by evening time I threw up and felt much better.

Sunday (9th) - I felt a lot better so I went to stake conference with the Steinbrechers. I was amazed at how well behaved all the kids were, including Landon. He sat and smiled through most of the meeting but eventually got tired and grouchy and we roamed the halls. By this day the weather had gone from mid-60s to 30s BRRRR!!! We were so cold!

Monday (10th) - Hmm... what did we do on Monday? Oh yes!! Monday was FREEZING! We decided to go see Lake Ontario since Melissa's daughters were home from school. It was so funny. We got there and by the time that we got Landon zipped up in my jacket we had to turn around because it started snowing!! Needless to say we ran back into the car and went home to be warm. We also went shopping at the dollar store. That was fun! We spent the day cooped up trying to stay warm. Eventually we went outside and tried to sleigh down a small hill, no success.

Tuesday (11th) - We spent the day at Melissa's new friend Crista's house making jewelery and talking. Time seemed to fly by because by the time we were done it was late afternoon. Melissa took me to eat some great Chinese food that night! Yummy! It was so fresh!

Wednesday (12th) - Time to go home! How bittersweet -- by this time I missed Tyler SOOO much, but I was so sad to leave my good friend. We went to the airport and finally got through security. Our first flight was awesome! For the first time I got to walk out onto the pavement and walk up the steps into the plane, just like some famous person, but less glorious and glamorous. The flight was pretty empty to I got to keep Landon in his car seat on the short flight. We ended up getting to Detroit (our layover) a bit early so I took off to the next flight all the way on the other side of the airport. I had to run to my next flight (again with all my gear). My arm is bruised from carrying Landon in his car seat, OUCH! Thank goodness the flight was a bit late or else we would have missed it! Okay, now for the scoop...... This last flight was packed. I sat by two awesome women who loved Landon and were so nice. They loved to hold him and squish his cheeks. The flight seemed to experience a little turbulence the entire time so we all had to stay in our seats. About 2 hours in, right after all the stewardesses put away all the drinks and snacks, the plane hit serious turbulence. The plane began to be thrashed around, laterally. Thank goodness people had complied to the seat belt sign because we were on a roller coaster. It was probably the scariest thing that ever happened to me! Everyone was bumped around in their seats and were bouncing up and down. It is amazing what goes through one's head when they think that they are going to die, or at least in my head when I taught I was going to die. I worried that Tyler wouldn't be able to see his little boy grow up. There was no life flashing before my eyes or anything. I just felt love for my husband and trust in the Lord's decision. The gospel is such a comfort in times of distress. I was grateful. After we landed it was obvious that I was not the only one thinking that it was the end. We were all so grateful to be alive and safely on the ground. I leached onto Tyler and enjoyed being back in his arms.

Going to New York was so fun, but I think it will be a LONG time before I decide to take such a big trip without my husband!! :) However, I did get a chance to learn more about myself and Tyler!! :)