We certainly didn't plan to pack so much ;) but when you pack in a hurry and have 5 kids who had to pack on their own then you have no idea what's coming back with you...we'll find out when we unpack. HAHA!
Only half of us made it through the initial security to enter the airport...the other half had to wait for the next group.
Here we come!
Well, let's just say that people watching is always one of our favorite things to do in an airport. I'm sure tons of things are said about us, but we get chuckles out of the randomness that you can find.
Here we go! Flight number ONE!
Getting ready for flight number TWO! Temperature checks on our wrists (after MULTIPLE security and health checks to get to this point) Last check to get on the plane. We had about an hour before the flight so I took the girls on a hunt for lunch. Most of the restaurants were closed due to lack of flights, but we were happy to find a Burger King!
Super Excited about a double cheeseburger (her favorite food)
A quick picture while eating our Burger Kind on the plane (They made us put our masks on immediately after finishing our food) And yes, those are tired smiles :)
There were only SIX other people on the flight besides our family going across the Pacific Ocean! It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen! I still can't believe they flew the flight, but super grateful that they did! No, we weren't allowed to move up to first class, but we were allowed to stretch out once we got going.
This is the first time that we have so much room! We all had our own rows to sleep. Lauren
Katherine didn't use a whole row, but she said she was comfortable.
I think I might make this my new profile picture. HAHA! Regan took this picture. I had no idea until later. She ended up sleeping in the row behind us.
Welcome to the United States of America! We've come in through this airport before, and it was my least favorite because of how many people were entering and all the long lines. We were the ONLY ones entering! Super fast.
Well, we had a long layover here. Yes, I made the kids wear the gloves. I didn't want to take any chances. I know traveling increases our risk of picking up Covid19 (thankfully, we didn't get any illnesses)
Distance from people, don't touch anything...especially your face! Wash your hands.
The boys asked for Starbucks :)
It's time to sleep...whenever, wherever.
LA had so many people traveling with dogs, including this one that looked like a bear walking through the airport!
Lunch or Dinner! I have no idea which because of time differences and a long layover and a cancelled flight resulting in an extended layover...
Hudson got excited to see the pilots. Benjamin was good to walk over there with him because he didn't want to go by himself. One of the stewardesses gave him his own pilot wings. He still wears them EVERY DAY!
So proud of his wings
Flight number THREE. Because of the multiple cancelled flights and rerouting of flights, we were put on a packed plane to Detroit and several coughing people, so I made the kids wash, put on fresh gloves, clean their seats, trays, and screens, and wear the heavy duty N95 masks.
Not taking any chances...we've been living this life since January.
Flight number FOUR. Almost there.
50+ hours
YEAH! We are in the van and on the way to our house. Yes, Jonathan is driving (my license expired so now I have to wait until our 2 week quarantine is over. These smiles might be because we are in America, but I have a feeling that it's because they could finally go without a mask!
Mammy made some chocolate chip cookies and sent them to us. YUM!
Look how HUGE the box is!! We were so happy and blessed to have people help get us groceries. It was a relief to not have to worry about food when we arrived. Plus the kids enjoyed some treats that we don't usually buy :)
All the kids were fascinated by the central heat and air. They still think it's strange ;) but they enjoyed the heat coming up from the vent to warm their feet.
Just hanging out on the couches catching up on some HGTV :)
Katherine added her own personal touch to her bed.
The house even has a play room!
Our luggage had quite the journey! We only lost one piece that eventually got mailed to my dad's house. The trip was super rough on all the luggage. One was damaged beyond use and many were drenched through and through and ALL the stuff inside. We spent the first week unpacking and drying out and throwing out and super glueing things back together.
I love this smile! He wanted more chocolate chip cookies.
This was the first look when he realized that they were all gone. HAHAHA!
Jet lag has been tough this time around.
The back yard is wonderful. Beautiful. Peaceful. Relaxing.
Well, we were hoping to be done with school before we came back, but they are trying to get it all done! They lost a few days because of travel and jet lag.
This has also been a wonderful thing. The neighbor has HORSES!
The neighbor said that the kids could feed them apples and carrots any time they wanted (and the kids have been giving them grass as well)
Horses were one of the things that the kids were hoping to see/ride in America.
Just resting on the railing :)
I love this one!
I taught the girls how to blow on a piece of grass and make it whistle. Oops. Maybe I made a mistake ;)
The look of confusion when a package gets dropped off at the door and it has her name on it.
Fuzzy socks for her birthday!! Thank you Jenny!
Lauren trying to teacher her brother how to make the grass whistle.
We are loving the sunshine AND getting to be in our backyard without wearing a face mask.
She caught a ladybug!
Sleeping sisters :)
Birthday box from Grandmommy! So glad that we were able to have some things for Lauren to open on her birthday. (The box also has Benjamin's birthday plus something he had ordered for himself months ago) Fun surprise.
Regan wanted to make sure that her birthday was special. She asked Granddad to buy her some poster board and sharpies. She stayed up so late drawing and cutting all of the decorations out. I love how they care about each other.
Cinnamon rolls for breakfast!
She's ELEVEN!!!
Pretty smile
blowing up balloons
Her day started with Skype with Auntie Em :) and lots of smiles because of it. She also talked to Mamaw and Papaw later.
So, I think we were a little excited about having Papa John's Pizza delivered to our back door. It's a good thing we like leftovers :)
Yeah for presents! Candy from Granddad and Mammy (and clothes that she got in the mail right before we left overseas)
And creative sisters! While Regan was making decorations, Katherine was making this card from quilling paper. So cute!
She has been asking for a hula hoop. We called Granddad and Mammy and asked if they would pick one up when they were at the store getting their groceries. It's been the perfect indoor exercise and lots of fun, too! Her record is 2,880. Not a bad start!
I love this picture! She was reading her card from Regan and was laughing so hard that she was crying. We asked what was so funny and her response was "it's personal" Oh dear. I'm glad she loves her sister.
ALL I WANT TO DO IS DANCE...from Regan
Frozen 3 from Hudson
A perfectly themed scrapbook from Grandmommy.
Lighting the candles is always my job...crazy times and crazy quarantines calls for birthday girls getting their wish of lighting her own candles.
I'm glad the candles from Taobao made it into the luggage. It wasn't the exact cake I originally intended, but so thankful someone thought to buy us a cake mix and we could celebrate in style!
We are glad that Granddad and Mammy came by for the celebration. Yes, we stayed 6 feet apart. We want to give hugs soon! Katherine made them each a little card.
I always enjoy the sky when we come back. I just can't get over it's beauty each and every day!
I'm freezing!
The girls were calling for the horses to come over. Lauren decided to hula hoop while waiting.
Some friends we have that live nearby knew it was Lauren's birthday, and they surprised her with a strawberry flavored cake!
Yum!
This was her gift from us. Yes, we packed two rolls of toilet paper and then wrapped them as presents for her. She was actually really excited because it's her favorite brand...and even more excited when she realized that we gave her an IOU for an American Girl doll. It's been on her list for many years. Now we just have to wait for the stores to open back up.
Another surprise! A birthday card from Kayla! She had so many surprises. I think she had a good birthday! It's defiantly a birthday to remember...oh 2020.
