Day 17. Finally Home

Not a bad trip home, if I say so myself.  We were at the airport early to check in and load our 4 tons of luggage onto the belts.  No issues through security, and we waited at the gate for less than an hour. 

Not good when you need a cart for the remainder of your carry on luggage. 

Bye bye to Asia.

So we went through security at Hong Kong upon entering the security check point.  We also went through security a second time just before boarding the plane-in the ramp down to the plane.  We had to dump out all of the drinks we had just purchased from the shop outside the gate.  Odd.

The plane ride went well.  I was surprised.  She took a 3 hour nap, then I did give her a little melatonin later and she slept for a couple more hours.  She played on the ipad, watched a movie or 2, ate, snacked, and we traveled back and forth to the bathroom 5 or 6 times. 
FYI-United provides smaller children with really, really good meals... wonder if we adults can opt for these...

In Newark airport-we're #1, says the newest American citizen!

We went through immigration at Newark.  We were directed to a back room where we waited as someone went through "The Brown Envelope" that I couriered to the US (and did not open, even barely touched).  After 20 minutes, we were called up to the desk and handed Zoey's passport.  They said it was okay to go.  So we sprinted (well, as fast as you can sprint with a toddler and 6 carry ons) to the customs counter, grabbed our bags and re-checked them to Dayton.  Then, of course, we had to go through security again.  We made it to the gate with about 5 minutes to spare, thanks to the fact that the plane was late. 

Touch down at Dayton. 

A larger Elmo was supposed to be greeting Zoey as well.  Crosley and Emmett decided it would make for a great tug o'war toy.

Welcome Home Zoey!

And the kids made her a lollipop tree.  How would they ever know she likes lollipops??

Megs made and decorated the cake all by herself!

Gotta love Dorothy Lane Market-designer cookies for our celebration!

Ba ba was very excited to see her. 

Sam said, "She is going to fit in our family just fine."  So far, so good.

Five minutes at home, and they are all running around like maniacs.  She didn't gravitate only towards Jenna. She let Megs and Sam take her upstairs and downstairs, and show her the bonus rooms, basement and her room.  She loved Sam's matchbox car racing ramp thingamabob.   

The V for Victory-I think we all win.  Of course, right now they all wanted to camp out in Jenna's room together.  I fought a little-why bring on the sleep issues instead of trying to minimize them.  But they all look so cute.  They are all excited-even Zoey.  We'll work on the sleep thing tomorrow.  We are going to let them enjoy being a family first.