Together

We waited at the international terminal in anticipation for that first sighting 

and when it came it was just a blurry mess.

Maybe I was too.

Their arrival was in the evening ... a little late for the littlest ones ...

but the bigger kids were ready to party! They had waited for this day for 21 months.

I would venture to declare the arrival gate a huge contender 

for the happiest place on earth!

 Siblings.

Chris and Julene with family came to stay with us

and the rest all came over the next day.

 Evy had asked me earlier, if their family would come to Papa and Mimi's as well.

When I said, "yes," she said, "That's a lot of people!"

She wondered where everyone would sit.

Not to worry. It all worked out perfectly.

I was a happy Mama!

Some of the youngest ones were a little surprised about how big their cousins had grown.

Somehow in their minds they had stayed smaller ... 

but it did not take long to realize they were a big part of the family.

Presents from Indonesia were a special surprise.

We have had such a wonderful and full week here ...

even while laying low ...

kids sleeping across the hall from us,

parents in the basement,

trips to get their favorite groceries, 

excitement about cereal and real milk

and  everything else on the table.

It's so good to hang out ... 

and to know we are not strangers at all.