Home for the Holidays!

We were so excited to be going home for Christmas. I don't think Greg was excited as we were.  I think he was worried that I wouldn't come back to Shanghai. We did lots of shopping for our family and friends in Shanghai so we had lots of luggage to take home.  Our flight out of Shanghai was delayed and we sat on the plane for 2 hrs before take off. After a total of 16 hrs on the plane, we landed in Detroit. We missed the only connected to Raleigh that night. We stayed in a hotel and had a 6am flight home.  We boarded that plane on time and was taxing from the terminal when we heard a loud noise.  It sounded like the plane ran over something.  The pilot came on and said we had to be pulled back to the gate. Something wrong with the front wheel. After about 30 minutes, the pilot came on again to say that it was just the steering part of the wheel and they had left out a pin.  They were going to put the pin back in and we were going to fly that plane home. After another hour, we finally took off for Raleigh.  When the wheels hit the ground at home, I cried a little because I was so happy to be home!

We stayed a few day in Raleigh before Christmas.  Spent lots of time with the Abbondanzios and eating at our favorite restaurants. We spent Christmas at Greg's parents house. I was so excited to see Carly, our dog. She was so excited to see us too. We stayed a week at Greg's parents house and then went back to Raleigh for a few more days before leaving for Shanghai.  It felt different to be home in our house.  It felt temporary. We weren't able to unpack and most of the house was still shutdown from being gone. The kids had lots of play dates with their old friends that week. We had a great time with our family and friends over the holidays.  It was sad to leave again but at least we knew it would only be 5 months before we are back home.

I did get on the plane but it was hard. I had a different feeling arriving in Shanghai this time.  I had the feeling that I can do this. Only 5 months to go......

Anna, Crystal and Natalie

The Abbondanzio's tree.  We didn't put one up in our house since we were only there a few days and not for Christmas.

Greg's parents had their house really decorated pretty for us for Christmas.

Carly loved her presents!

Jackson loved his too.  He was a little sad when we had to leave most of them in Raleigh.  In June, it will be like Christmas again.

Greg's Dad

Greg's Granddaddy White, cousin Joel, Aunt Joyce, Ron and cousin Laura

This was our last night in Raleigh. Beautiful sky.  I can't wait to see NC skies again!