MiMi & PaPa...in Germany!!

FINALLY...the long awaited day arrived!  MiMi & PaPa arrived in Germany on September 17th.  We have been anxiously awaiting this day for SO long!!

When we received orders to Germany, it was hard for several reasons.  But one of the main reasons was leaving MiMi & PaPa behind.  PaPa does NOT fly...for any reason!  He has not flown in my entire lifetime, and always said he never would!!  So our orders meant we would not see MiMi & PaPa unless we traveled back to the States...and we knew we wouldn't be able to do that very often.

We weren't in Germany more than a few months before PaPa started considering a trip over.  We started discussing dates, and plans were made.  I still wasn't going to believe he would make the flight until he was actually on the plane!!

We booked the flight and the excitement began!  We started counting down the days!  Then in August PaPa started having some health issues...diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis...and LOTS of pain!  Long story short, we weren't sure he would be able to make the trip after all.  He got worse, and we quit counting down the days until they arrived...almost certain he wasn't going to be able to come.  Just a few days before they were scheduled to fly, he finally got in to see a rheumatologist.  He worked his magic, and PaPa was determined to make the trip!!  So the excitement was back again!!

As scheduled, they arrived on the 17th, and with some minor adjustments for PaPa, we are traveling as planned.  A little less walking and a little more riding...but we are SO enjoying having them here!

Family is important.  I have known this all along, but R's career has made it so much more obvious.  When you don't have your family around, you appreciate the time you have with them.  I took for granted having extended family around for holidays, visiting grandparents on Sundays, growing up with cousins.  It's a lifestyle my kids have never really known on a regular basis.

We are definitely not taking this time with MiMi & PaPa for granted!!  We are enjoying the travels, enjoying the time at home with them...just enjoying them and all their quirks! : )

Waiting...

Waiting is hard!  Trying to pass the time looking at the model trains...

Waiting...

REALLY tired of waiting!! But Little R says, "MiMi & PaPa are old.  They walk really slow."
And yes, my son is laying on the dirty floor at the airport!!  I know, I know...I didn't receive any Mother of the Year awards on this day!  But I had held him as long as I possibly could (he IS 5 years old and 41 pounds, ya know)...and he felt this was the only alternative!

Coming through these doors...any second!

They're HERE!!!

And PaPa survived the flight!!

First hugs...and look how happy Little R is!

Even R is happy!!  And MiMi is happy to be out of the air, and on the ground!

PaPa is very happy to be out of the air, and on the ground!

Took them on post very first thing to get their Visitor's Passes.

First excursion?  Our favorite doner shop!  R had to introduce PaPa to the wonderful world of doner!  If you don't know what it is, Google it!  I don't touch the stuff...but R and T LOVE it! 

PaPa agrees...it is DEE.LISH.OUS!!  He's been wanting to go back ever since!!