Surprise, Surprise!

My mom had been trying to get me back to the States this summer, using all sorts of guilt inducing tactics.  Yes, I did want to come home, but the cost of the flight was holding me back!  After talking it over with Josh, we decided if I could find a flight at a certain price, I could go back to Missouri.  I found a decent deal and bought my ticket about two weeks before my flight, so I decided to make my trip home a big surprise for my family. 

I had to leave my flat at about 3:00 am on the day of my flight so that I could catch a bus to the airport.  The bus ride took about an hour and a half and, lucky for me, I sat next to a creepy guy for the majority of the trip.  I sat practically on the edge of my seat the entire ride, reading a book.  "Creepy Guy" kept trying to touch my leg.  At one point I glared at him and with clenched teeth said "Do not touch me".  I know, I should have just moved, but the bus was insanely crowded and there was really no place to stand.  After about 30 minutes "creepy guy" asked if I would read to him out of my book.  Ugh.  In my meanest mean girl clenched teeth voice I told him "Do not talk to me and do not touch me".  After that he seemed a little scared of me and didn't try to inch his fingers over to me for the rest of the trip.  Hallelujah!  Isn't London fun?

My first flight seemed to go by pretty quickly and I landed in Chicago early on Friday morning.  Unfortunately, I had a long layover - about 7 hours.  I had planned ahead though and used the time to exercise at the Hilton attached to the airport.  After my work out, I took my time cleaning up and then used the free wifi available in the Hilton lobby.  Doing this ate up a lot of the time I had to wait AND I got to feel "fresh" after my long flight from London.  It worked out great!

My flight from Chicago to Springfield finally took off and I was so excited to see my family.  "Aunt and Uncle" Cathy and Kevin, our fantastic family friends helped me set up the surprise for my family.  Cathy and Kevin had invited Mom and Dad and Sarah, Tom and Hazel over for a BBQ.  Kevin faked an emergency with one of his tenants and left the get together to come pick me up.  After we arrived back at his house, Kevin went inside and I waited a few minutes, donned a queen Elizabeth mask and rang the doorbell.  Here is a short clip of the surprise!

Needless to say, my family was pretty gobsmacked that all of a sudden, I was there right in front of them!  We had a fun night catching up, and a lot of fun with the Royal family party masks I brought along.  A big "Thanks!" to Kevin and Cathy for helping me plan the big surprise!

The Royal Family

The next week was a whirlwind of shopping, eating, talking and visiting with my family and friends.  I spent the following weekend in my hometown of Quincy doing more of the same shopping, eating, talking and visiting!

My sister Sarah, little Hazel and I at coffee!!!  Oh how I miss our coffee mornings!

The best Aunt and Uncle a girl could have :)  Thanks for helping me with the surprise Kevin and Cathy!

Qdoba chicken mexican gumbo...oh yeah!

I went to visit our old house.  Josh and I made so many good memories there!  So glad to see it is being well taken care of!

Having fun with my niece Hazel!

She is really getting big and is a good girl when she isn't in the car :)

I visited my In-Laws on Saturday and got to see my doggie Harley!  Mary Ann and Jeff are taking such good care of our little pooch, Josh and I are very grateful for all they do!

Sarah and Hazel having Andy's Frozen Custard...the best Custard in the world!

My Granny T. and I on my visit to Quincy!  She makes me look like a giant :)

Thanks to all my friends and family who made the time to see me while I was back in the States.  It meant a lot to me and it was amazing to see familiar faces and catch up with everyone!

Rachel