We had our bags in the car, the boys were in their car seats and we were waiting for Grandpa Nat to arrive so that he could drive our car back from the airport.  We took off at just a touch after 7am and our ride was uneventful other than Aidan needing to make two potty stops.

...We made it through the security check and then headed to our gate and found a seat to wait outside.

While we were waiting at the gate the boys and Papa went down to a corner where they could see planes taking off and watch planes pull up to the gate.

...First, Aidan suddenly had a fit of excitement and decided to grab the seat-top in front of us and start to push and pull it back and forth in a fit of excitement.
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We woke up at 6am in order to get ready for our departure to LAX. Amazingly we were all ready by 7am, our intended departure time. We had our bags in the car, the boys were in their car seats and we were waiting for Grandpa Nat to arrive so that he could drive our car back from the airport. We took off at just a touch after 7am and our ride was uneventful other than Aidan needing to make two potty stops.

We arrived at the airport by 9:30am. We checked our bags curbside and interestingly one of our bags tested positive for nitrates. Mama had her drivers license noted in a book and a supervisor from the TSA (Transportation Security Authority) said that we were clear to go. We had our boarding passes in hand and headed up to the security check. We made it through the security check and then headed to our gate and found a seat to wait outside.

While we were waiting at the gate the boys and Papa went down to a corner where they could see planes taking off and watch planes pull up to the gate. Declan was ecstatic about the planes taking off. He would pound his hands against the glass and shout "Ahhhh, ahhhh???, Oooooh. Finally after an hour wait our boarding group was called and we were able to get on the plane.

Once inside we settled into our seats and awaited our take-off. As we got closer to reaching full speed on the runway Declan's benadryl was kicking in and he was ready for nap time. Aidan had a window seat and he was ready for action. We took off and had a pleasant and fun flight to Chicago where we were going to transfer to another plane and head to Albany.

Once we landed Aidan and Declan were ready to get off the plane. They had enough time cooped up in the plane and needed to 'stretch-out.' Aidan ran circles around us while we walked from one terminal to another inside of O'Hare's vast airport. Once we found our next gate we also found a place to have a decent lunch. The boy's easily entertained the other patrons around us.

With lunch in our belly's we headed back to the gate and waited for the call to board. Soon we were walking our way onto our plane to Albany. This plane was much smaller with only one seat then the aisle then two seats. We all sat one row away from the back with a family sitting behind us who had come from San Jose.

The flight was rather uneventful except for two episodes. First, Aidan suddenly had a fit of excitement and decided to grab the seat-top in front of us and start to push and pull it back and forth in a fit of excitement. The man who was asleep in the seat in front of Aidan was rudely awakened. Papa made sure that when we pulled into the gate and had a moment, Aidan took a moment to apologize to the gentleman. He kindly replied that he had kids of his own that were all grown up.

Second event was when we were on our approach of the Albany airport with all the lights out on the plane. Aidan turn's to Papa and says, "Papa, you wake up in the dead of the night!"

"What?" says Papa

"You wake up in the dead of the night!" Aidan repeats to Papa.

"Where did you hear that?" asks Papa.

"Scooby-Doo and the Witches Ghost!" exclaimed AIdan.

After our landing and deplaning the boys were both still charged full of energy and Mama and Papa were starting to show their wear. We proceeded  down the empty hallway at 11:45pm EST and Aidan was bouncing off the walls, Declan was screaming at the top of his lungs. We turned the corner and we saw Meme and Abuelo.

Mama and Papa pointed out Meme to Aidan and he shouts down the hall,
"Meme!"

Arms outstretched Aidan runs down the hall shouting "Meme!!!"

They embrace and have a big hug.

We say our hellos to Meme, Abuelo, Jenn and Russ and then head to the cars to go home. Declan and Papa headed back with Meme and Abuelo. Aidan and Mama headed back in Uncle Russ and Aunt Jenn's "Box." The Box is their car, a Scion.

The last bit is when they were leaving the parking lot they pulled up to the booth to pay their parking fee. When Aidan looks into the booth he says, "He looks like Gollum."