Sad day for us

So we were scheduled to fly to Phoenix today to go visit my family for Christmas and we got our bags all packed (which was NOT an easy feat (especially with the baby). We had Ken's sister agree to cat-sit, took Ken's truck to his parents for them to start it everyday, etc etc. Then we get online to check the status of our flight and attempt to check in- only it said our flight was restricted to web-check in. Seeing that our flight was delayed by at least 2 hours already, we decided to head to the airport only 30 minutes prior to our original departure time. We arrive to long lines (of course, it is the holidays afterall) and even see the news camera there (that can't be a good sign). We did find the first class line as we luckily were flying first class and it was much shorter than the regular line (which is one big bonus that comes along with the bigger bill). There was one woman ahead of us, already being helped, but for some reason it took her 20+ minutes, or so it felt. When she was finally done we proceed to the counter to check in. The counter person cannot seem to locate our information. I tell her that we were supposed to check in an hour ago and our original flight is supposed to leave right now (as it had taken that long). She takes our ID and then asks for our confirmation code. I tell her. She then says your new flight time is 3:20 to arrive in Seattle at 7:35, but your connecting flight leaves Seattle at 6:35. She then pauses. I say, so what are we supposed to do. She says nothing for another minute (or so it feels), then responds with "we are told not to send anyone else to Seattle, as they are cancelling most flights out of Seattle." She went on to say, "all of the hotels are full, and because it's weather related, we could not provide you with a hotel. The next available flight to Phoenix is Dec 29th." In other words, we would be stranded in the Seatac airport for 7 days. That didn't really appeal to me (spending Christmas with our 4 month old and thousands of other dirty, scary-angry stranded people), aside from the fact that she really would not allow us to check in. She then said, you can stand in that line over there or call the 800 number to change your reservation. The line "over there" she pointed to didn't appeal to us either, as that was the featured line of the local news station. We came home and saw the news report of the other sad people that are stranded here in Alaska for the holidays. Darn the snowfall in Seattle!!!

BUMMER! So I called my parents and siblings to tell them the news... we wouldn't be able to make it to AZ for Christmas. Then I just wanted to cry- I was SO sad! We were so excited to get out of Alaska, sit in some sun, and spend the holidays with family! As I know they too were dissapointed. But, we will still try to come visit soon. My mothers birthday is in mid Feb, and we have a nephew due soon, so maybe we can make plans to visit around that time.

The other bummer is that we already had Christmas and opened all of our presents with Ken's family on Saturday... but I'm sure we will still try to think of something fun to do together for Christmas. Maybe sledding, snowshoeing, games, a movie, eating more good food or???

Anyway... Wishing all of you Happy Holidays! I hope you can enjoy time with your family! (I know there are many stranded in Seattle and other airports)... so enjoy that time... you don't know how lucky you are!!!