What a long Thursday!

We made it. It wasn't pretty at times. When a Thursday gets to be 36 hours long, it's a shame to have to spend it in an airplane. Transfering in Shanghai was a pain in the neck. Atlanta is a pain in the neck. How many times can a family drag their check-through bags around and around and check and re-check them? Way too many! But, all flights were smooth and uneventful, unless you count #2 puking upon landing in Atlanta an event.

After 2 hours of customs and immigration and dragging our bags around and around the Atlants airport, we finally emerged on the outside of security to go strolling past Jason's dad and Linda! Total surprise. Even Heather didn;t know about their plan this time. They drove up from Florida just to see us for the night. They called all the hotels til they found the one that had our reservation and so we had dinner and b-fast with them before leaving Atlanta this a.m. It was great to see them and perfect timing b/c the kids had been asking when we could see them again.

And Gramma Ramma was waiting for us in Manchester (waiting a while probably since our flight was delayed leaving Atlanta) with Heather's hubby and kids. We fit everything in Gramma Ramma's van and she drove us home while Cupcake drove us crazy with how much she hates her carseat. She did end up sleeping most of the drive but screamed every time she stirred. All 4 kids slept pretty much the whole way home.

Cupcake woke up once we were home and she is terrified of the dogs. She has a totally different scream for them. It is definitely a scream of terror. She LOVES our staircase and went right up (while holding MY hand) to explore the upstairs. She checked out her room and Spark's room and then laid down oon our bed with Jason & #1 and has been asleep ever since. I'm sure she'll be up for the day as soon as it gets dark.

Wonderful friends brought food, made muffins, left flowers and we are SO happy to be home. Thank you all so much!!!!! And we miss our travel mates. Hope you all made it home safely and without too much more hassle. Here are a few pics from the tail end of the trip. I'll post again when I wake up.