Day 1 - Travel, Check-in, Fun

6:20 a.m. start with a 6:30 a.m. call from Drake that the check your luggage line outside was two gates long.  Thank you to Frank and Becky for getting Drake and Haley to the airport, since they are flying on a separate flight through Houston arriving in Tampa only 15 minutes after our flight.  A little longer travel time, but glad they are able to join us for the trip.

The Kay family arrived at the front door around 7:05.  Yes, Logan was just barely crawling out of bed since Maggie hung out until around midnight.  We heard all about John’s BD dinner at the Japanese Steak House, which we’ve learned is his favorite.  Barb brought Janie’s breakfast, Butter cake along with a piece of the 4 layer “Better Then Sex” cake that Janie made per John’s request.   Sounds like a lot of cake last night and way too much morning sugar for Janie.

The rest of the gang arrived, except Kyle who was slightly tardy and we loaded up the gear; luggage in Jeff’s truck and 5 of the eight in Joy’s Expedition.  Andrew got a personal ride from one of his parents.  Wondering, Kathy or Bill?  Kathy of course!  With all that early morning activity we were able to get on the road on time.  What, no pictures taken of loading the luggage?  No pictures of the “Jail B8” gang (Kyle, Hunter, Jackson, Brendan, Frank, John, Andrew, Logan).  The boys came up with their name and Janie quickly earned the nickname “Octo Mom” even though she is slipping right off the bat with no picture taking.

Traffic quickly separated Jeff (lead foot) from Joy Evans (thank you for volunteering) taking the 435 route to the airport.  Janie along the way decided to drop everyone off at the gate with the luggage and Jeff take the truck over to the Park Air Express parking.

By the time Jeff got back to the airport he was able to hit the men’s room and with his A Status on SW Airlines still be the first one through security.  Not as busy as Drake and Haley experienced earlier in the morning.

On the other side of the security gate we broke out the John Kay BD hats, beads, and special shirt for John to wear to celebrate his 18^th Birthday.  The shirt came with a permanent marker so everyone could sign the shirt.  He was a very happy birthday boy as he usually has to spend his birthday alone since it falls during spring break.  What better way to celebrate your 18^th than with your closet buddies!

Jeff challenged him to see how many girls he could get to sign before the end of the day!  We’ll count that up at lights out time (yeah right) or first thing in the morning.  The camera came out and so here are pictures of John and the Jail B8.

There were a few other BVNW HS kids waiting for the same flight.  Ah, spring break at the airport.  The security lady informed me tomorrow is supposed to be even busier with an expected 9,600 passengers in the morning.  All flights, all destinations expected to be 100% full.  So there are no complaints about today’s effort to get through check-in and security.
Several of the boys were able to snag “A” status boarding passes, so two and half rows of boys…..all good.  Surprisingly quiet on the flight?  Assume the calm before the storm.

The girl in pink sitting next to John signed his name.
 

 

Arrival in Tampa

John even got a couple of call outs from the flight attendant during boarding.  Not hard to miss with his shirt and crown.

Upon arrival we all collected our baggage, while Jeff headed off to Hertz Car rental.  Then we loaded up the Super Shuttle with Janie and boys to head for the hotel.  Jeff circled back to the terminal to pick up Drake and Haley.



Boys were laughing the whole way to the airport!!





We had to wait for the rooms, so we checked out bags and headed out for lunch.  Janie, Drake, Haley and Jeff went one way and the boys the other.  Ah a trend for the trip?

 

Beach area from Hotel!

Drake and Haley were first to check in and headed for the beach.  The boys next and then Janie and Jeff who upacked and went to the gym.  Lame!

 

The boys went to the beach to play football.  Meeting for dinner at 8:00 and taking John to Hooters!

 

Beach Football picture from our balcony.