Plane Rides, Family, Friends, and a Wedding!

We made the long trek back home a couple weeks ago for my sister-in-laws wedding. Of course we couldn't just go back for the wedding, so we decided to make the trip a bit longer to visit family and friends while we were there. We really enjoyed this trip home. It was a relaxing trip because we decided not to pack it so full with visits, errands, etc. Instead, we had some very special times with friends and family and enjoyed the absolutely beautiful weather. It was a little nerve-racking to plan and prepare for this trip. The boys are pretty much pros at traveling, but I didn't know at all what to expect from Zoe and her schedule (eating and sleeping). Thankfully she was a champ and did a great job!

We left Brussels in the morning and took the nearly nine hour flight to our first destination. As I said before, the boys are pros, but Zoe did great too. She took two naps totaling almost six hours and ate three times. She was otherwise her happy self and didn't cause any problems at all.

Sleeping in her seat next to me

Happy as usual

After a short layover, we arrived home around 8:00pm EST (2:00am CET). We were greeted by our wonderfully gracious and generous hosts, Steve and Debbie, at the airport with car seats and toys (from other incredibly generous friends). They helped us get our ridiculous amount of bags to the car and then we headed to their house where they fed us and then sent us to bed. Zoe ate one more time that evening and then slept from 9:30 until 6:30 the next morning. Since I normally feed her in Belgium between 7:00 and 7:30, she was immediately close to a normal schedule from the first day there. The next morning, Steve and Debbie had breakfast for us and we had a nice morning catching up with them.

Steve, Harrison and Zoe

Here are some other highlights from our time home. 

Our Shepherding Group had a little get together for us on the Sunday after we arrived. It was a great time to catch up with friends, but the highlight of the night was my sister, Jessi, meeting Zoe for the first time. There were definitely tears!! I also got to see her cute little baby bump for the first time in person.

Cameron and Harrison with their friends

Uncle Jack 

I mentioned before that we took time to enjoy the beautiful weather! The boys loved playing outside.

Time with friends

Cameron and Lydia spent a good portion of the day playing house. It was super cute!

They went on a date 

Harrison and Annabelle

Wrestling with Nate

All the kiddos

Silly faces

Jamie came to visit us! We sure do miss her in Gent!!

Harrison and Zoe fell asleep outside

Karis joined them. They slept for two hours outside.

My other sister, Pauline, also came to see us and met Zoe for the first time.

Hanging out with Jessi and Jack

Playing cards with Jessi

Cooper had to go to the vet, so Cameron went along

No trip home would be complete without a trip to Dairy Queen with Jessi and Jack

After ten days, we headed to Kentucky for Julianna and Jordan's wedding.

Waiting to board the plane

We were greeted at the airport in Kentucky by Cole's parents and sisters. This was the first time Cole's dad and sisters met Zoe.

 On top of seeing so many of Cole's family members, the boys really enjoyed swimming at the hotel.

My parents also came to Kentucky to spend some time with us as well as help us with the kids during the wedding.

Snuggles with grandma

And of course, the reason for the trip home, Julianna and Jordan's wedding

All dressed up and ready to go!

Love my little family!

Cole and the beautiful bride

Cameron wanted to take a picture.

Nana

Papa

Cole's family 

Waiting for the wedding to start

Happy Zoe and Lisa

The happy couple

Love these handsome little guys!

Cousins

My love

Dancing!

We had so much fun at the wedding and really enjoyed catching up with family that we don't get to see as often as we would like. The following day, we enjoyed a nice brunch with family before heading to the airport to come back to Belgium.

We had another really good flight on the way home. Zoe spent the majority of the flight in the bassinet sleeping. 

She held my hand the entire ride home from the airport

The adjustment back to Belgian time was a bit more difficult for Zoe, but thankfully she was back on track after a few days. Although we had a great trip and made lots of wonderful memories, we are happy to be back!