Homecoming

Once again my friend Kalyn gave up half of her day to come with us and photograph our reunion. There aren't many posey-poses because I said to just get what she can get and that's all, and since she's the thoughtful photographer that she is - we got a perfect-for-us recording of our For Real reunion. K, I can't thank you enough for this. You're amazing.

Up the "big stairs" to the sky bridge. Oh and hi, there's my haircut. =)
And down!
The airport has a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Carly and her eyebrows were wondering why she had to sit still for a portrait when there were so many cool glittery things to touch.
Again with the brows. And the lighting! So pretty.
Then, while we were stalking the arrivals screen, Carly did a little shopping. She and Kaynin agreed that this big rooster was the best one. And I just LOVE that dress!
Stalking - really. See way down at the bottom - flight 582? It was due to land in one minute! We were so excited!!!
"Carly STAY right here or go sit by Kalyn. There are too many people!"
"Mo-om, my feet want to running!"

Waiting, waiting...and laughing at myself for getting excited every time someone over five foot ten walked around the corner.
Curious about Kaynin's camera - you can see who she chose! And I don't blame her - I was kind of a wreck!
When I saw him.
K almost got kicked out of the airport for getting a shot of the security area because I'm a bad, bad listener and didn't wait. But look how handsome he is!
Koala Carly

Okay, now, for all of us who were thinking that Carly was starting to look like me? Right. Liz, who?

And it's great!
Paul picked up a Thomas play set for Carly. She loves it!
She's gigantic
I like this one! I have no idea what we were looking at, but Paul and I look really cute. =) This is also a great shot of my new swank hair.
This one makes me laugh! Look at our faces while we're talking!!! And we wonder where in the world Carly gets her animated expressions!

Happy family waiting for luggage.
Happy Liz!
Every now and then Kalyn would say "Oh! That's good!" or just grin and I think this is one of those times, going up the escalator back to the car. We love him!
Daddy looks like a pack mule!
"Daddy, what's that on you head?"

And here is Carly enjoying one of the more fun aspects of having two parents at home! The walking swing! Do you see those loooong skinny legs?
Sneaky, sneaky, Kalyn! I thought we were going to have a family photo...but no! This one is actually saved into my computer as "Kalyn is a genius."
To the car. This is one of my favorites.
That's one happy family right there.
Paul put Carly to bed tonight and she was crying until he told her that he'd be back tomorrow morning. So sweet. They're both snoring right now, which is kind of sweet. =)

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Every morning for the last couple of weeks, Carly has asked if we're going to get Daddy. Today, I told her Yes! We are! And she was so happy and confused! Maria saved my life and took Carly to the park for the morning while I tied up a few loose ends and then when Carly came back home and we were ready to leave, she kept saying "We're going to get Daddy right now." All the way there!

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When we arrived, Kalyn worked it out for us to get a couple of spots in the full parking lot and Carly was passed right out. When she woke up, she was groggy and confused and kept asking for me, which was sweetly out of the ordinary. As soon as she was in her cute little dress and we were headed over the sky bridge, she started saying "Hurry up, Daddy! We're here! Come ON, Daddy!"

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Oh wait, I forgot the part about when I was hanging up Paul's banner that would have gone at the front gate were there room at the moment and a Marine stopped to help me because someone had stopped to help his wife when he returned a week ago. That was really nice and he told me congratulations, as did the guy who was calling because he's going to replace Paul in the spring.

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We had dinner as a family, which was so nice, and we had a conversation and then Carly helped clear her plate and Paul helped her brush her teeth and it was just a normal night. We hung out and watched 30 Rock and I got to see all the pictures on Paul's camera - don't worry, I'm totally going to steal them and post them so you can see, too. Some are really beautiful. Others are of people throwing up outside of bars, but what can you do. We're just very relaxed because we know that he's Home and we don't have to endure workups and another deployment right now. It's so nice to look forward to ordinary!