Hello Portland

We made it.  The story of our travel back is far from boring.  The story has both heroes and villains, moments of laughter,  struggle, and stress.  It has enough tears of sadness to make you almost want to stop listening (as well as everyone else on our 2nd flight) but then tears of joy to make it all ok again.  Most important are that our 3 kids and 2 cats are accounted for and our luggage made it as well.  We will miss all our friendly overseas flight neighbors that played with our kids and offered up their iPad but will not miss the dramatic self centered neighbor on our domestic flight that needed to change seats, wanted our cats checked, and stated loudly enough times to make me want to punch her in the face "WHO DOES THIS?  TRAVEL WITH THESE KIDS AND 2 CATS?  I CANNOT TAKE THIS." Paul's crying was one of his worst episodes ever, so bad that we had a flight attendant come up to us kneel down and so sweetly ask us if there was anyone waiting for us in Portland to help us and if she could somehow help.   My tears of joy came from such a wonderful surprise by some of our dearest friends welcoming us back at the airport.  One of life's moments I will vividly remember and helps me already dull the pain from the journey.  Thank you friends.

Jet lag was the final part of our journey that left us a week after arrival.  Our first week back was thankfully full of seeing friends and we loved every second of it. I love Portland but I LOVE my friends here so much.  Seeing them easily made up for the crap sleep schedule the first week….easily.

Saw the house we bought for the first time today.  It's such a beast of a house.  This beautiful old beast that's rough around the edges but with so much potential, it's overwhelming.  We close tomorrow and plan to celebrate by eating take out on the floor of our empty house.

Our temporary apartment is working well enough.  Twins are sharing a room and is working out fine so far.  We are living it up suburb style - lots of driving with the single perk of being able to walk to a strip mall. woo hoo.  I've driven more in the last week than I have in the last few months in Munich.

This was our last family pic in Munich before flying out.  I have a feeling our next family pic will be in front of our new house.

Going through customs in Las Vegas.  This is one of 3 luggage carts.

Kids passed out in Vegas while jazz flute and slot machines play non-stop on our 7 hour layover.