Wednesday, July 22, 2009

accumulation...

accumulation. as in "the accumulation of photo upon photo leads to much happiness for libby."
or
"the accumulation of many nights of no sleep leads to sleep deprivation for libby."
or
"the accumulation of much time spent with family leads to extreme happiness for libby."

you get the idea.

they're all intertwined, you see. libby=family, family=photos, photos=sleep deprivation, therefore by an extended version of the transitive property libby=sleep deprivation (...or something like that).
but I'm happily sleep deprived (with the exception of this morning when I spontaneous combusted into tears after mack woke up at 4:45, 5:45 and 6:45 before finally waking up for the day at 7:30. thank goodness for a husband who calmed me down and promised a bed time of 10:00 tonight). so, this post is brought to you by my lovely sponsor, sleep deprivation.

okay, enough of that. now onto the documentation of the time spent with family. I went home for a family reunion on my side, and I loved every second.

June 25th
The immediate family fawns over Mack. He is loved.





*photo taken by Lafe*

June 27th
Day one of the extended family reunion...

My incredibly hard working grandpa and his tractor. He will be ninety this summer, and is continually coming up with projects for himself. Even though his health has slowed him down a bit lately, he's still in search of whatever he can do to keep himself busy. What an incredible example to his kids and grandkids.


A morning walk in the gunnison air with the twins. They make me happy.


Mack and mommy in front of Grandma's house. He was a little overwhelmed by all the new people and sounds, and eventually started growling to show his disapproval. Oh boy.


Paul modeling for Jill and I while we were all supposed to be doing yard work.


Aunt Shauna and one of her incredible childrens' books--part of an afternoon of classes put on by different family members. If there were a Frandsen Family Motto, it would be "continually learning," as taught by Grandma Frandsen.


This is about how we all felt by the end of the day.

June 27th

Michael, Zach, and Great Grandpa. He obviously loves his great-grandkids. Lucky them to be able to get to know him.

June 28th
My mom and I dreamed (would it be dreampt? is that even a word? I don't think so. Emily? Help?) up a little vintage photo shoot for all her grandchildren, and had an absolute blast putting it together and carrying it out. Check out the result:



















I have the cutest nephews and nieces in the whole world. :)

June 29th

Photo shoot with my cousin Jill's family. I was incredibly nervous, because she's an amazing photographer herself, and I was afraid nothing would turn out. But due to the cuteness of the subjects, we were able to get a few. :) To see more of her cute family, click here.

June 30th

And one more family photo shoot with my brother and sister-in-law's family. We had about twenty minutes to get in pictures before the sun went down, but we got a few (click here to see more)... I'm hoping to get some more next time I'm in Utah. :)

July 1st

flew home with this airline. will never do it again.
...where to begin??
here's the {not so} short version:
  • took a redeye thinking Mack would sleep the whole time, but was not allowed to carry on my carseat even though there were a few empty seats (redeye=my fault. I've learned my lesson).
  • plane left 1 1/2 hours late
  • mack did not sleep at all; therefore, I did not sleep at all.
  • connected though JFK which is the most poorly organized airport I've ever been in. I always vow never to connect through it again, but somehow I ended up there this time...
  • as a result of landing late, I ran to my connecting flight, but only after the baggage handler took his sweet, sweet time meandering up the jetway with my carseat and stroller. on my way, I found out I had just missed the shuttle to the other terminal (thank you meandering baggage handler). they wouldn't call ahead to alert the gate agent I was on my way because there were "too many people that would need the same service." puh-lease.
  • arrived, completely out of breath, at my gate where about 40 stand-by travelers were thronging the gate while she was giving away the tickets of travelers who were not there (read: me). I tried to push my way through the onlookers to get the gate agents attention. She made eye contact with me repeatedly, and finally told me to "wait my turn" as "everyone else is trying to get on this flight too."
  • tried to explain that I had a ticket and needed to get on, but was ignored until I heard her speak into the walkie talkie that the flight to Pittsburgh had been closed. she had literally given away my seat as I stood right in front of her.
  • I tried to remain calm as I told her I told her I had a seat on that flight, at which point she looked at me and said in the rudest tone possible, "well, why didn't you say so?"
...please tell me you're joking.
  • I was not allowed on the flight, and I was sent to stand in a "customer service" line for an hour and half. When I finally got to the front of the line, I was informed that not only was the next flight not for 8 more hours, it was completely full, and they could not confirm me on a flight until the FOURTH OF JULY. THREE DAYS LATER.
Let's remind ourselves that
1. I have not slept in over 24 hours.
2. my baby did not sleep all night.
3. I hate delta.

  • Because I am apparently pushy and unforgiving, I did not step away from the "service" desk for seven hours (mind you, it only takes six hours to drive from New York to Pittsburgh, but a one way car rental cost $400... no thank you). I stood in front of the supervisor who told me she would "help" me until she put a ticket in my hand. I stood there while she "helped" other people, while I held a crying baby, while she took care of other emergencies, forgot to "help" me, while I sat on the ground and fed Mack his pureed veggies, while she ignored me, and while I made conversation with other disgruntled passengers.
  • told them I deserved a full refund on my ticket, or at least a travel voucher for the next time I fly (not that I'll ever fly with them again, but maybe DJ could use it), and got nothing but fourteen dollars in meal vouchers. that's it.
  • 6pm: 10 hours after I was not allowed on my original flight, I received a confirmed ticket to Pittsburgh that was supposed to leave at 6:30.
  • 8pm (12 hours later, and 36 hours with no sleep): finally got on the plane and flew home with a tired, tired baby, and a tired, tired libby.
So, here's my advice to you: never fly delta. ever. they stink.

...not to end on a bad note, things are looking up as we'll be flying southwest (direct flights both ways) when we go home in august. ahhh. can't wait.

well, all of this accumulating is making me tired. I think I'll go take a nap now. maybe you should too. :) thanks for stopping by!

23 comments:

NJ said...

Libby! LOVE your post, as usual. And you have thoroughly convinced me to never fly Delta! That is just absolutely horrible. Seriously.

I think my favorite picture of this batch is the one of Aaron in the foreground with two other boys in the back (Mack and ?). That one is incredibly cute and very artistic. But there is a close second for me - the boy baseball one where Mack is taking off his hat. So cute! You're amazing!

Jaclyn said...

yes. Delta and United. I hate them both. Both have resulted for us in a screaming infant and a crying mommy. Never a good combination. I am SO sorry!

Jill T said...

Libby, I'm so happy right now. What great pictures. Any chance you want to email me the one of Michael, Zach and Grandpa? And you found a Grandpa picture. Good.

And, where did you get all those cute costumes of the nieces and nephews? That looks like such a fun photo shoot! Great post.

Jill T said...

oh, and I hope you get more sleep tonight. :)

Unknown said...

What a nightmare trying to get home! I would have been absolutely livid!

Ryan & Amanda said...

I am so sorry about the flight back! Traveling alone with a baby is hard enough when things go as planned!

Keri said...

If only I were half as productive with my sleep deprivation:)...And my favorite is that last one of the twins!

BusyMama said...

Again, you are incredibly talented. And reading your story gave me goosebumps in a very, very bad way. Something similar happened to me on United. That's another one to avoid like the plague.

Emily said...

well, first, there's no "p" in dreamt. but it's surprisingly common for people to throw in a silent "p" unnecessarily. As for the word itself, dreamt is correct grammatically, as is dreamed. Dreamed up is typical American English while Dreamt up is typical British English but who's counting? I read people use "whilst." In all honesty, your error was in spelling not usage--good job.

also, i *love* the grown-up heels. and Mack is such a chunk! I'm sorry for your flying nightmares, there are few things as draining as flying trouble.

Amy said...

Oh my freaking heck!! That has to be the WORST flight story I've ever heard?! How, how did you 2 keep it together? I should have told you NEVER fly with Delta, we hate them also!! You should right a strongly worded letter!

2nd, you're pictures are amazing! You are so talented. I'll have to write you an email about Mike Cunningham.

I have to laugh about sissy's comment, that's amazing!

Amanda K said...

You need to call Delta and complain to their customer service people. Seriously. They'll at least send you a voucher for part of a ticket (which you can use or not use) but they might refund you something!

kristen said...

OH MY GOSH! that is probably the worst one i've heard. i can't believe they didn't help the momma with the baby! give me a break! and i hate JFK too... there is definitely something WRONG with that airport. we were late and had to run about a mile sprinting through that airport (with me pushing sophie in the stroller and pregnant) to catch our flight. flying with kids alone=nightmare!

Libby said...

looks like fun times with family. i love the picture of your grandpa. so cute! i hate your story about delta! i too hate delta. i don't have a story anywhere close to that i just hate how they think they can charge for everything but breathing on the flight. who do they think they are? even more than that i despise rude people! sorry you had to go through that.

Brittany said...

Sorry about your bad trip? That is the worst! Love the pictures.

Jana said...

That is seriously one of the worst flying stories I have ever heard!!!!! And WRONG that you didn't get more than just $14. WRONG!!! Also, very wrong that I didn't get to see you this last weekend. Lame! I wonder when I will be lucky enough to get some great photos of my kids. Probably never if things keep going the way that have. :)

Jaclyn said...

Yeah, I was kind of worried about all white bedding at first, but as Lee reminded me, if the sheets get stained, we can always just replace them with new ones. As for the pillows and comforter, they never touch the ground. :) It's so blasted hot here, all we need sleep with is the sheet anyway, which can easily be bleached. So... so far so good, but we'll see. :) Can't wait to see you guys soon!

tiffany and darren said...

I love the "dream" pictures!! But I do have to say my very favorite picture is of your grandpa and his tractor. I think that will be a treasured photo by your family. He seems like such a sweetie.
Sorry about your bad flying experience with Delta. Boo to them.

Amy said...

OH MY WORD! How can they be so terrible!!!! You have a BABY for pete's sake! I think I'll send a letter. That is ridiculous!

kami said...

wow that is a terrible story! i actually read this yesterday and it made me really nervous because we were flying delta today...besides the annoying check-in and having to pay $40 for a simple suitcase and car seat, it was okay...i am glad i didn't experience what you did! and these pictures are so darling. what a cute vintage photo shoot!

Michele said...

I think I almost cried...I am so sorry you had to endure that! You should write a letter to Delta's head office...they need to know!

JoDell said...

Are you kidding me?! Did they really not see you had a baby? Come on! That's just incredible.

Glad you had fun at your family reunion, though. :) I love, love, love your pictures. My favorite is the one of you and Mack (which I know you didn't take...). You are an amazing photographer...I know I've said that before and I'm sure you hear it all the time, but I just have to say it again! I love visiting your blog.

Amy F said...

Libby... how did I miss commenting on this post for so long??? I looked through these pictures with mom (lots of oooos and aaahhhs!!!) but never left a *wow* or *terrific* or *thanks!!!!!!* What special moments you caught during your trip.

Which... by the way... was so fun for us!! Thanks for staying with us and playing with us. We love you!!

Glad you survived Delta with Mackers. Boy... what a story. Guess you've been through the worst... anything now will be a cinch!

Megan and Charlie Miller said...

Are you kidding me???? I would have lost it after the first encounter at the gate!! Holy Cow Libby I am sooo very sorry!! I am glad that you are home safe and sound. Man I don't miss flying from SLC to Pittsburgh anymore.
So I miss you a lot. So much has happened. I will have to call you and fill you in. It looks as though you have been as busy as ever. Mack is so darling. He is getting so big too!
I am glad I have your blog to keep up on. Love you