Hey all!
Made it back home safe and sound yesterday evening.
Flight to NE went fine; we had first class seats for the first flight, then exit row seats for the 2nd. NE was cold...cold...cold...

. Flew in on time; headed over to see DD#1 and the grandkids straight away. Did Christmas gifts, then headed to the hotel and to a local Italian place by the hotel for dinner. Had breakfast at Le Peep twice (first time was amazing, second time was so so); once at First Watch; and one at a local 'hipster' place (best breakfast of all). Went to the Space Air museum (DH loved it) and the train/Omaha history museum (they had a display of dresses from Downton Abbey); the rest of the time, we hung out at DD's house, or just the two of us at the hotel. We had some pretty bad food, other than breakfast; but we ate at a local 'dive' and had the best burger and fried brussels sprouts we've ever had. We also had dinner at a steakhouse, but it didn't come close to the place we ate at here in Jax. So happy to have spent some time with the grandkids and DD#1 (and SoIL#1 on that Sat/Sun).
Flight to CA was ok; both flights were exit row seating, but the second flight didn't feel like it....the seats were smaller than I've seen in a long time! A little warmer in CA, lol. We went to Legoland; DD's coworker took us behind the scenes twice; we got to see how Legos are made, and each of us got to get a brick from the little
Lego machine as they were made...they were super warm when we got them, and in a color they no longer make at Lego; it's only for the machine to show how they are made at Legoland. We also got some of the lego material which extrudes as a string before it gets molded into bricks; and we got to see the area where the builders for the park work, along with all the new legos they are working on; and got some cool things from the lady at the brick area. DD#2 and I took DGS#2 to Monster Jam (including the preshow); we had club seat tickets and DGS enjoyed it. We had some great food; I did cook my spaghetti sauce (came out great, and made two meals) and my roast (meat was not as successful, but hopefully it finished tenderizing when they reheat it later this week). We ate at Luna Grill; if you like Meditereanean (sp?) food, this is a great spot...best falafel I've ever had. Loved seeing the family, but am glad to be home.
The flights from CA home were a disaster. Our first flight, American didn't schedule a copilot, so we sat waiting on the plane for 90 minutes. We finally got one and took off, but our second flight was missed, as it was supposed to leave an hour after our original landing time. It was delayed 30 minutes, as there were about 20 people on our flight for that one, but it couldn't wait any longer, and took off right before we landed at DFW. While we were on the first flight, being delayed, I moved our tickets to the later flight home, but we were going to have to sit apart, in middle seats, forgoing our exit rows. The lady at the American desk in DFW couldn't get us on the first class waitlist, as it was full, but she worked her magic, and got us into the exit rows in our original seats (that would have been on the original flight from there). I thanked her, and told her I appreciated her, and made sure to get her name, so I could send a message to AA today to give her compliments. She was getting a lot of grief from some other passengers, because there were very limited seats, so I hope my compliment can help offset the complaints I am sure they are getting about her. We got home about 3 hours later than planned, but managed to have a very good (and expensive) dinner at Pappadeux at DFW.
I'll post some pics later. I spent the day working on laundry (as I came home to find my cat puked on my blankets and sheet and my pillow...only mine...guess she was very angry that I was gone), and unpacking, and catching up on paying bills and mail and such.
I will work on catching up on everyone's news for the last two weeks (I briefly skimmed) but hope everyone is having a great new year!