Homecoming surprise

On Saturday afternoon, after Handley's soccer game where she discovered her calling as a goalie (more on that another day), I loaded everyone up and made our way to the airport.  Robby had been gone for 8 days on a helicopter ski trip to Canada and we were so excited about his arrival back home.  He thought we were going to be outside, circling in the car until he got his bags and got outside to us.  We had a big surprise planned for him though.  We were inside waiting and had positioned ourselves at the top of the escalators, along with the other people who were eagerly awaiting their loved ones arrivals.  The girls held the signs they had made and waited.  And waited. And waited.  It ended up being 30 minutes, but it felt like an eternity to the girls, especially Harper.  She must have asked me 100 times when Daddy would be here and eventually she stopped asking and just started announcing loudly that, "Daddy is taking SO long."  Thankfully the people around us were amused rather than annoyed by her.  They were not the only kids with signs, but I guess the bright orange and the constant questioning from Harper got us a lot of attention.  Lots of people asked how long he'd been gone and I had to explain to them that he hadn't been off at war or any thing, just on a ski trip.  They still thought the girls were cute with their signs though and one lady even asked to take their picture. Ha!

When we finally spotted him coming off the escalator they squealed with excitement and I could tell he was really surprised.  The people standing around us told Robby his arrival was highly anticipated by the girls. :-)

After getting his bags and getting to the car we got to hear all about the amazing time he had on his trip.  Basically he was at a remote, all-inclusive, resort/lodge and every day he went with a small group and a guide as a helicopter took them up and dropped them off on a top of a mountain.  Then, according to Robby, they skied down what was the most amazing conditions he has ever skied.  He said the trip was unbelievable and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I say next time I'll go on a trip and he can have another once-in-a-lifetime experience as he keeps all three kids by himself.  For 8 days.  Just kidding.  Kinda. :-) In all honestly though, the kids were great all week and we stayed busy so the time he was gone really did pass by quickly.

You'd think after such a big trip he'd be anxious to get home.  Not for this family on the go, though.  We had the car loaded down and made our way from the airport to the lake house.  We spent the night there last night and today got to take the inaugural ride in our new boat!  The girls didn't quite understand why we couldn't go swimming, but by afternoon it might have felt good to jump in.  We did get to ride over to Tiki Hut and have lunch, so it was a fun day.  We're so excited for summer though and can't wait to get back up there.