R&R...in a rather large nutshell...

The night of March 23rd, I barely slept, knowing in less than 24 hours, my husband would be home for R&R. I wanted so badly to sleep so morning would arrive sooner, but I was worse than a kid on Christmas eve. Eventually, the alarm sounded and the day began. His flight was to arrive at 4pm but there was a chance he could catch an earlier flight. I dropped Alexa off at school, knowing she wouldn't concentrate on a single subject because she knew I would be picking her up early so we could pick up Daddy. Not even an hour after dropping her off, I got the call that he had indeed made it on an earlier flight and would arrive around 11am! Ecstatic, and wearing our shirts made just for the occasion, the kids and I waited anxiously at the gate. One of the benefits to having a military ID is that you are allowed to go to the gate to pick up your soldier, bringing that face you've longed for months to see into view the moment he steps foot into the airport. Truly priceless!


Patiently waiting before Daddy's plane arrived!


Though he was given the choice of anything he wanted for lunch, Billy was craving a really good hamburger, and we headed straight from the airport to Red Robin's for lunch! I loved watching the kids fight over who got to sit next to Daddy in the booth (which of course meant all three of them crammed into one side, with Daddy in the middle), while I was able to watch their interactions (and eat my entire entree while it was still warm for a change!)

These cute photos were taken once we were home from the airport...you couldn't wipe the smiles from ANY of our faces!


Alexa was off of school on the 26th and we took the kids to the Pet Expo!





On the 28th, we flew to Utah and the next six days were a flurry of activity!

We celebrated nephew Kellen's 1st birthday on the 29th and learned he was going to be a big brother!




Billy and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with a dinner at the Melting Pot and a night at the Anniversary Inn (sans kids) on the 30th.

We took the kids to the SLC Library on April 2nd









and pretty much crammed in as much family time and Korean food as possible in between!!





On April 2nd, we flew back to Ohio and on the 3rd, we enjoyed decorating eggs as a family...

...and enjoyed celebrating the holiday together on the 4th



(though by the time we got home from church and lunch that afternoon, Brody was not up for photos - we do have at least one record of us all being together that day in the first photo below, which was taken at our church).





On the 6th, Billy and I enjoyed an afternoon lunch date and then explored a local park in Gahanna...








and that evening, we took the kids and dog to the park to play

On the 7th, we played miniature golf, which is always a hit at our house!

As feared, April 9th arrived too quickly and the dreaded return trip to the airport had to be made. The goodbye was not easy, but none of us thought it would be. So with tears and aching hearts, we entered the final stretch.