Six in the States PART1

December 16th Six in the Sand became Six in the States..the BEST state!  TEXAS!  This was our first trip home after the big move in July.  For months Deric and I talked about whether to go back for Christmas given that it would be for such a short period of time.  In the end though we decided to go for it!  We were dying to meet our new niece Winnie Kate and I felt seeing family would refuel us to make it to the summer.    The journey was long but so worth it.  I have so much to say about our trip that I decided to break it into parts.  Part 1 being our long trip home...16+ hours on a plane.  A little different than the move trip....we now have a very MOBILE 1-YEAR OLD! Woo-hooo!

Our journey began at 6:30am waiting in front of Villa 5
for the 2 cars that would take us to the airport.  Most of these
suitcases and tubs were empty so we could bring lots back!

The pretty Emirates ladies were there waiting to
greet and help us as we unloaded the tribe!

We bumped into our Sassos in the airport!  Kids were thrilled
to have one last hug good-bye.  They were off to CA!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...

Whatever it takes people..They were empty

We made it! This is our car coming down our street 
greeted by all our cherished family and neighbors!

Our sweet nephews and next door neighbors!
I think they all grew a foot since we last saw them!
They are coming to Dubai in March!

Can you believe this homecoming?

Welcome sign for the girls..

Luke's Buddies!

Okay..yes, we woke her up to hold her!!

Our first time to hold Deric's twin brother's first born!

Lilly..meet Winnie!  One day these two will rule the school!

For those of you who don't know, Deric and I live on the BEST street!  We live on a cul-de-sac next door to Deric's sister and her family.  We adore our neighbors and our street has over 20 kids.  We had a sort of compound-thing going on before Dubai and we loved it.  There were cousins and neighbors in and out constantly.  Our neighbors might tell you that there was always a Bryant ringing their doorbell.  So you can imagine the emotions when we arrived to all our family and neighbors waving welcome home signs!  The kids jumped out of the car and ran to their cousins and friends for big, big hugs.  We met and held our new niece Winnie Kate Bryant for the first time.  We hugged and hugged our family, ate chili, drank some cold beers and just relaxed after the long trip.  

It was the start to an unforgettable holiday!