We bought new luggage a few years ago, and never bothered to measure the really large case until shortly before our first flight with them. Stupid, I know. Anyway, it turns out the really large case is considered oversized by just a few inches. We didn't want to take the chance of bringing it because it would most likely be overweight as well, so we'd have to pay oversized and overweight charges. Might as well pay for another person to fly!
So, needless to say, we only use the really large case when we are driving somewhere on vacation. And....we never match in an airport. Oh well! Nothing we can do about it now, as the color has been discontinued.
I guess I don't really care all that much if my luggage matches, though. My clothes rarely do! LOL!
http://www.amazon.com/Thule-7001-Pack-Cargo-Bags/dp/B000GT519A/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_b
We discovered these bags when we went on our family trip to Yellowstone. We just love them. They fit a ton of stuff, they are soft, so they fit any shape. They can be stuffed, smashed, smooshed, whatever we want. I can STUFF them full of clothes and we haven't gone over the weight limit ever. (I used to do that all the time with my large suitcases.)
They have great handles AND a shoulder strap, but alas, no wheels. They work perfect for our travel needs, since we always use curbside check in or rent a little cart for $2 at the airport. The bellman love them (I asked because I wondered if we could make them part of our regular suitcase needs). AND, most importantly for us, they can survive our family! We are very very tough on our luggage and it usually only lasts us 2 years or so. But these seem to be able to handle EVERYTHING we throw at them. Also, they are easy to hide once you get to the room. (We usually stuff them under the bed or on the top shelf in the closet.)
We still take along 1 or 2 "regular" suitcases to handle more odd shaped or fragile things such as sand toys, medicines, and bathroom neccessities. And of course a wardrobe for suits etc. But, if you are looking for something to supplement your suitcase selection, I highly recommend these.
Oh, and about matching suitcases...if you see a large family with completely mismatched luggage, that will be us! We have a purple set that my daughter got for a school trip to DC, 2 different mickey mouse sets (one red and one a wierd greenish color), some random black ones, a forest green large one and the 4 colors of the Thule set referenced above. We keep whatever survives our last vacation and just replace with whatever whim I may have that month. So, we are a mess! In fact, one of our biggest travel pasttimes is watching people stare at us as we make our way through airports and especially security! (They typically open a special lane for us...not kidding either! We are the business travelers nightmare). And Steph5, you will probably appreciate this...When the kids were a little younger and we would get to security, I would have a plan. The kids knew exactly what to do as well. But we ALWAYS have people offering to help us. Now bless their souls, I really appreciate the thought, BUT, it usually makes more trouble than its worth. I have random people stuffing our things through the x ray machine, people trying to help the kids with their shoes, complete strangers opening my laptop for me. It is so dang funny, but so stressful at the same time.
We have rules, we stand back, get everything ready, then the kids go one at a time. They know they have to leave the security check point with whatever they had when they entered. But when you have very kind people helping and shoving the wrong things to the wrong kids, it gets well...confusing!
I am sure I have painted a very vivid picture of our travel adventures. Anyone want to join us on our next trip? Father Mike, are you sure you don't want to tag along on our shuttle from DL to the Port. Come on now, we cant be that bad!!!
) I put all my rings/belts/etc either in my shoe or in the bag i'm carrying.
She wouldn't have had any problems....
My oldest DS has been told that he is dangerously close to NOT coming on the TOAL with us. He's a smart kid, just ZERO motivation, scatterbrained and super laid back. He's dropped letter grades on his report cards because he "loses" or "doesn't remember" his homework. He actually sits down every night and DOES the silly work ... but then can't be bothered to turn it in. 
I got a note from a teacher last night ... or should I say I FOUND the note in his backpack, he "forgot" to give it to me. He's failing Reading because he's missing 3 of 9 assignments that he told DH and I that he did at school and just turned in late 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!!! 
