SK—>Miami—>Chicago—>GR

Our trip from St. Kitts to Michigan went smoothly, more or less. We cleaned our apartment OCD-style, managed to pack up everything in four checked bags, loaded up our dogs into their crates, aced Kittsy, and then placed him into his cat carrier.

Matt G. and Tiffany drove us to the airport when we were ready...and it was such a sad goodbye. I've hung out with Tiffany almost every day for two years, and it was sad knowing that I wouldn't be returning to SK in January to begin our pool-workout-watch tv-clean-cook-beach-trivia routine. Matthew and I just absolutely love these two people, and all that they have brought to our lives. Thank you for your friendship; we are missing you both so very much. Sending big Xs and Os your way! Once we dried our tears, Matt G. and Tiff got into their car and drove away—leaving us to begin our journey back to the Mitten state. *sigh*

When we arrived in Miami, we did the usual: claimed our baggage, (and our dogs), went to customs and immigration...and then waited an hour for the shuttle to our hotel. Blahhh no fun, especially because the airport process is already so exhausting. Not to mention that our dogs were already anxious from being ripped out of their normal island-ey environment, and stuffed into their crates. At that point in the night, all we wanted to do was get to our hotel and let them out. Oh and on top of that, Matthew and I aren't really 'cat people' and we were completely befuddled as to what to do with Kittsy. Being a mostly outdoor cat, he doesn't use a litter box. So we did what we do with our dogs: we walked him outside on a leash. It worked. That damn cat is so cute.

After not getting much sleep, we woke up to head back to the airport where we went through the process of checking in our pets again—which means they were anxious again. And every single time we have to check our dogs, it takes about an hour or so. Not kidding. And the airline reps don't ever know exactly what they're doing, so it makes me nervous. I've had trouble trying to fly my dogs in the past which is a very long story that I will choose not to bore you with at this time.

Okay, now I'm rambling...where was I? Oh yes, Miami. Okay, so we checked in our pets, boarded our flight and arrived in Chicago. Next step? Board our flight to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Did Milo and Trooper make the connection?! They sure did! Hooray! Everything seemed to be going smoothly (for once in our lives, to which we are sooo very thankful.)

At the Grand Rapids airport, my mom and dad were there to meet us. And boy what a reunion that was! Of course, that ended early when we had to take our dogs and cat to the 'outdoor pet relief area.' When the animals 'relieved' themselves, we hopped into my dad's truck and made the three hour trek up north.

Here are some photos from our journey.

Last family photo...minus Kittsy. (He's behind us in this pic.)

You ready to leave your native island for the States, Kittsy?!

Last Stag beers for a long time. *sigh*

Clearly, St. Kitts was sad to see us go.

In Miami...waiting for our hotel shuttle.

Milo and Trooper all wrapped up in the back of my dad's truck with me and Matty.

So that's the story, folks. No major problems. Just a lot of anxiety about our dogs traveling in such chilly temperatures, and trying to figure out a routine for Kittsy. What's important, is that we made it and everyone is happy and healthy. Here's to a Happy New Year! Hope you are all having a lovely holiday season.