Mike comes home!

Several weeks ago we had the honor of welcoming Mike home from Afghanistan! Mike had been away for 6 months from his family... when he left, his son Bentley could barely sit up on his own, and now he is running! To say we were excited for his return is seriously an understatement. We all drove to Dulles airport and met at the cellphone waiting area, then rode caravan style to the parking garage. The three oldest kids had a blast running through the halls of the airport, and riding the walkways. Once we got to the arrival gate we had a looonggg wait.  Ok, maybe it wasn't that long, but it felt like forever with the suspense!  Mike didn't have a cellphone, so we had no idea where he was in the customs process, so every time the door opened we all got excited that it might be his flight.

After what seemed like hours, Mike finally walked through the door!  It was so awesome watching Ariana run to see her Daddy, and seeing Mike see Bentley for the first time as a toddler.  I of course was running all over snapping pictures... because no event is to be left undocumented when I have a camera in my hand  :)

Alyssa was super happy to see Uncle Mike and immediately wanted him to hold her... and throw her up in the air  :)  Poor Ariana had a stomach virus and about 2 minutes after she hugged her daddy, she was throwing up.  She was a trooper though and rallied for a while... until she passed out at the restaurant.

After the airport, we all headed to dinner.  I am so happy we were able to attend the dinner... the two Will's were peas in a pod with their gaming devices, Alyssa was happy hoping around from lap to lap, and we were happy being able to hang out with friends and catch up with Mike!  I think we immediately started making plans to get together :) Will loved his present from Mike... a glow in the dark American flag.  Mike told Will that they wear them on their uniforms on night missions so that way they know who is friendly and who is not in the dark.  Him and Will promptly put their glow flags on their shirts  :)

We are so thankful we were asked to participate in welcoming Mike home... and hope we never ever have to do this again!!! Haha  :)