At the end of last October we headed back to the states for the first time since we moved to Australia. It had been just over a year since we had been back and I hadn't missed that flight one bit since the last time we made it. Yet, we knew it would be worth the long hours on the airplane, and our just under two weeks on the ground did not disappoint. It was a whirlwind as we made our way through three cities, to see and do everything we wanted, but we survived and the girls did outstanding.
Our first stop (after a layover in San Francisco) was St. Louis. Our most recent home, there was no way we could not go back and find time to see so many good friends we had left behind. However, with less than three full days it was go time right away. Lucky for us we had friends that were willing to meet us everywhere and at every time of day. Even after having just arrived in the early evening our first day we had our good friends that used to live in Zurich with us meet us with dinner in hand for a pool party at our hotel.
They were happy to be anywhere other than the airplane.
Not knowing exactly how jet lag would affect us (that whole traveling across the international date line can be funny and make you both sleep late and tired early), we had planned activities for all times of the day. Fair enough to say we were amply tired the first morning, but still managed to roll out of bed in time to make it to church and brunch after with friends. It didn't take Emma but about 30 seconds to act as if she hadn't missed a beat playing with all of her old friends. She was literally on cloud nine.
They all looked pretty good, no need to tell everyone how jet lagged we were going to church!
Brunch with great friends
After church and lunch we found ourselves visiting Steve's aunt, dinner with another group of friends and meeting the first of several babies born since we left, finished with yet one more good friend making their way to our hotel to end our evening! It was a successful and exhausting day one.
Day two I got an earlier start ahead of everyone else to squeeze in breakfast with a friend before we all prepared for a big day - Halloween! Emma was so excited to bring a little Australia with her and Morgan as she dressed the entire day like a mermaid (we did save Morgan's kangaroo costume until the evening at least). With spray painted hair we were ready for another jam packed day of separate lunches with former co-workers, time at our storage unit to sort out a few things, an afternoon playdate at a good friends house and then onto yet another friend's house for trick or treating with their family. We left with bags a few pounds heavier and a mom and dad pondering how to eat all of Emma's best US candy without her noticing.
Pre-trick or treating playdate
The trick or treating gang
I could just squeeze her!
Our little trick or treaters
Arielle loves kangaroos evidently
Me and my kangaroo
Day three and our time in St. Louis was already coming to an end, but we managed to finally get a breakfast in at one of our favorite spots (we had failed in the eating at our favorite restaurants department most of the rest of the time) before some time visiting with old co-workers.
We were sad to say goodbye so quickly to St. Louis, but we were happy to be making our way to the new home of Steve's brother Andy's family and Steve's parents, Greenville, South Carolina. It was a new place for us and we had heard many great things. We were also looking forward to perhaps a little "slower" few days.
Lots of hand holding with these two... Emma and Lulu.
Just starting her love of playgrounds.
All the girls.
Our first time meeting our niece, sweet Carmella
Enjoying the beautiful fall weather with Grandma and Grandpa on the back deck.
It was indeed beautiful and it was great to spend lots of good time relaxing with Steve's family and exploring Greenville. We were spoiled with Aunt Rachele's good cooking and even a mini Thanksgiving during our visit. We found several great parks to play at and did some walking and a picnic at beautiful Falls Park in downtown Greenville. Smores by the backyard bonfire, lots of running and holding hands with her cousin Lulu, and story reading from Grandma definitely topped Emma's list and time in Greenville.
Loving on Grandma at Falls Park
Aunt Rachele with Lulu and Carmella
Daddy loving on daughter
All the girls!
Girls were all dressed up this day, especially Emma and all her necklaces!
Froyo!
And the good eating continues... Morgan's first pork bone!
Fun morning for all exploring Runway Park
These two had so much fun playing together
Flying airplanes!
In addition to visiting Steve's family I was grateful for a good friend from college taking the time to make a daytrip down from North Carolina to visit. It had been several years since we had seen her last and it made the time there even sweeter.
Miss the other Abbie!
Although we had a few more days time, just like St. Louis, our time went too fast. We were thankful though that we even got to spend the last day and half with Steve's other brother, Neil, and nephew, Austin.
Twins!
Trying to get a "good" photo of all the grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa was challenging!
Even a photo with just four was challenging enough!
Our early Thanksgiving dinner
So much good food!
The Jones Family
From there it was a very early flight to Minneapolis to visit my parents and my sister Elise's family. Emma carried on in rare form like she hadn't missed a day seeing any of her friends or relatives and the same was especially true for seeing her cousin Tabitha.
We had a fun first afternoon taking professional photos with my entire family (and got some great photos to show from it) and enjoying the rare nearly 70 degree weather for the first week in November in Minnesota. We figured we could be thanked for bringing the beautiful Australian weather.
Look at that smile!
The entire Souders Family
Grandparents and grandkids
Just the grandkids
Sisters and first kids
Just the four of us
Playing outside after family photos...
The rest of the week and our visit in Minnesota was full of good eating and lots of fun playing. Emma got to explore all of the areas best indoor play parks and one of the highlights was definitely a day at the Crayola Experience at the Mall of America (and mom was pretty happy with shopping time sans Emma).
Happy playing with grandpa!
Bath time with dad and grandpa
Giggles with Grandma
So much fun at the Crayola Experience
You can take your photo and make it a coloring sheet!
Exploring another local play area
Last dinner with Grandma and Grandpa
Morgan was fascinated with Grandma and Grandpa and seeing them outside of the computer!
I don't think one is ever prepared to say good bye and travel 24 hours (door to door) back home, but that's exactly what we had to do after a memorable two weeks. I'm thankful that aside for the flight from Minneapolis to San Francisco, the girls really did do a great job traveling and even that one flight wasn't too bad. And I'm thankful for their flexibility and easy going attitude with all the different people they saw.
What traveling across the world with kids looks like
And while saying goodbye was tough for Emma as well, a stocking packed full of fun new things from Grandma to open on the way home certainly made it a little easier to get on the plane.
She wouldn't let go of her new stocking.
Morgan didn't want to sleep in that bassinet, but it was still fun to play in
And playing on sister when she was still sleeping was fun too...
Matching Elsas... happy to be back on solid ground.
Thankful to have managed our first international trip with two in tow. We were anxious to tackle and overcome jetlag as well. I really don't know whether the flying or jetlag is more challenging with kids, but luckily the memories of these travels make it well worth it.
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