Gone with the Wind

Chick-fil-a!

August 27th, 2011'
Okay, we landed! And we pulled off the surprise! We left Korea 5 days early to surprise Anlee's side of the family with an early arrival. Mom wasn't too happy about it (the house wasn't clean "enough") but, it was good to get home and rest before getting to work seeing everyone. Derek and I had a long flight from Korea to Japan where we were stuck on the tarmac while all of the airline computer systems crashed world-wide. We sat on the plane for hours until they allowed passengers to get off if they wanted something to eat. Derek found McDonalds and paid close to $30 for hamburgers and fries!!! We missed our flight from Dallas to Atlanta so we were bumped to the next one. We arrived in Atlanta after 10. Dad and Pam were waiting for us at baggage claim with balloons. It was such a sweet feeling to see Dad and Pam. Pam was in on our little secret about coming home, but due to the missed flight, we had to let Dad in on the secret a little ahead of schedule. After loading all of our bags into the car (one carry-on weighed 40 lbs) we sighed a sigh of relief and headed for the nearest Arbys. We picked up some roast beef sandwiches and made the last leg of the journey to Mom's where we knocked on the door at midnight. Keith, groggy and curious who was at the door, peeked around the door and saw us. His reaction was to say "Oh my God, Annette!" Then he closed the door! He woke mom up and she started snarling (with a few tears) that we were home early.

The best part comes in two pieces! Little Scottie Boo (our dog) came running over and remembered ME! AND, the world's cutest nephew woke up to meet his new aunt and uncle. Baby Caleb came in the room and I fell in LOVE! Holding him for the first time just felt "right". Babies have always had a special place in my heart, but this little guy feels like mine in a sense. When your brother is also your best friend, you just fall head-over-heels for the beautiful creation he had a hand in.

The family woke up, greeted us and we toured all of the changes in the house. Then it was time to CRASH. Derek and I were technically starting our day (time in Korea), but we needed sleep. 20 hours of flying began to take it's toil on us. To bed we went.

August 28th, 2011'
Happy Birthday Matthew! We made it just for Matt Man's birthday. But, he's a busy guy so he was gone most of the day. We woke up, played with the baby, laid around on the couch and met with family as they trickled in. We didn't advertise that we were home. We wanted everyone to find out slowly and by chance at first.

We did some major shopping in the afternoon. We visited mom at work. We had a ticket for $1,160.00, but paid $390 with a savings of over $700! This was the best I have ever done and so much fun to expose Derek to my thrifty-frugal side. Most of our clothes were either donated or on a boat being shipped to America so we were in NEED!

Family tradition: On a birthday we go to the Buddha, a Japanese steak house. YAY for birthday's in our family. This was Derek's first birthday out with us.

Next to the Buddha was a Korean restaurant. You can tell how D feels about it.

The Birthday Boy happy about the lack of MSG. Korea is famous for adding it to their dishes.

Mommy (Kristin) and the cutie (Caleb) waiting for the show to begin

Kristin is retired from the Army. She's amazing. So is her cute son.

Watching the fire show in front of him. Cutest expression award goes to Caleb.

The family hasn't changed much. Just Matt's new hair color and we added a baby plus Derek!

Sorry it's blurry, but look how happy Mom looks. She has her whole family together for the first time in a year!

 Oh, and these two above match (GA TECH colors - blue and gold)

You can interpret this face!

Our first world's-favorite-aunt-&-uncle picture with baby Caleb. And pre-weight gain from American food.

So in love!

The Rickerson's - These two have been married for 4 years! They are starting to look the same! Sign of a happy marriage!

My rents. I love em'

Let me translate this picture for you - Josh and Matt attempting to "explain something" to the other one without progress.

Learning to hold his "bobble"

 August 30th, 2011'
We spent a day visiting dad, running errands and of course eating more and shopping. Baby Caleb sat in the firetruck for the first time!

Papa Rick and Baby Caleb

Notice the firetrucks on his onesie.

 September (somethings) 11' 
My beautiful and pregnant sista-in-law, Ashleigh, with baby Knox on the way! Oh gosh, I'm going to be an aunt again! These two have been married for 7 or 8 years, I guess, and expecting their first little one! Can't wait to meet him!

A picnic lunch with Dad at Spurell Bluff State Park. Amazing day!

I love this picture! Dad and Derek together!

Whit, soon-to-be-papa, on curry night when Derek and I cooked for him and Ashleigh (my brother)

Casey, my sweet brother of the same age! He's always had a special place in my heart!

Ashleigh, tired of the camera!

Oh man, the first few days were filled with sweet reunions with family, food and fun. The first week was hard sleep wise. We were waking up at 4am and going to bed with the 55+,  but we were eating my parents out of house and home! We are so thankful for the time we had with our family. More to come!