Homeward Bound!

The next morning, I woke up feeling better, and ready to go home. I had my cry, and now I was ready to see the Lampards and then get to my own home! So I had to tackle the craziness of packing all our things in order to get home. Good thing I am an expert packer. I can make things fit that seem impossible, its a real gift ;) My mom found it pretty hilarious watching me, so she took this of me working 

While I did that, Quinny was upstairs in yet another fort that Grandma built for her. My mom has really high chairs which are the WORST to sit in (they hurt the legs so bad!) but Quinny loves them because of the "super high!" forts they make.

This was our luggage after I was done. Sigh. So much luggage despite my best efforts this year. The plus side was that when Neil helped us out with changing our flights, they upgraded us to economy, which meant 1 free luggage each. And Quinny had a backpack strapped to her and was pulling her carry one... pretty funny. Neil came to get us to head to Calgary - I was glad that I was able to say good-bye to the whole extended family last night. But saying goodbye to my brother and Shelby and watching them drive off, and then a few hours later we got in a car and also drove off... my poor mom. I felt SO terrible for her. I couldn't imagine not living close to my kids, and having them live so far apart from each other. Our hearts are so split when we leave, go to back to the places we now call "home", and leave my mom there. Leaving day always sucks. But I did miss my bed and my home and normal routine, so we were eager to get back. And we had Lampard "christmas" (not really christmas, just a gift exchange, they do all their christmas stuff on Christmas Day with everyone) to look forward too still, and we missed all them! So happy to be going home, while also sad to be leaving home. Weird feelings

Neil took us for dinner and then said goodbye - thank you so much for driving us!!!! We appreciate it so much and love you tons! We had a late night flight, and around 9pm this girl got hungry, so we got her a yogurt parfait, which she devoured quickly

And then promptly fell asleep. She has always amazed me at what an incredible traveller she is - she just isn't really phased by it all. So we made her a little bed when she got tired, and within a few minutes she was out like a light, and Jon and I each sat and read books and watched all the people. That little tiny baby was a present from us that I stuffed in her stocking, and it hasn't left her side. I paid $5 for it in Walmart in Colville, and it was the best $5 I spent this Christmas! She carries it everywhere. She likes that its mini, because she calls it her "tiny baby". She really likes small stuffed animals and things that fit easily her in hand, so this was a win. Sweet!

Good thing about night flights - not as many people! We took up a whole back row and it was awesome

She woke up while we carried her on the plane and got her buckled, but she was happy and not one tear despite being exhausted (and still sick)

And then fell asleep again once we were in the air, laying her head on me and her feet on Daddy. What a sweet girl. Love her.

Tim and Lois picked us up (thank you!!!!) and she went right to bed. Tired, happy to be back on the island, and thankful for this time with family.