Back to the U.S. for R&R

Watching the planes in Amsterdam

At 5:30 AM last Friday a minivan pulled up to our house, and with the drivers help we quietly loaded the luggage without waking the boys.  Once they were up and dressed, the excitement set is as they realized that breakfast that morning would be on a plane!  Our day flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam took off right on time at 8:40 as we headed home for “R&R” – the rest and recouperation trip that we are allowed once during our tour. 

Because the boys are still young, we decided to take a day flight to Amsterdam, spend the night in a hotel, and continue our journey the next day.  Breaking up the trip–and upgrading to business class–made a huge difference as compared to our trip out to Kenya.  We were able to rest well overnight, they boys had a wonderful time on the plane, and we spent a few hours wandering the canals of Amsterdam.

For more pictures of the trip back and our layover in Amsterdam, click here.

Dulles was, as always, a crazy zoo of jet lagged travellers, but a short bout of nausea on David’s part resulted in the unexpected blessing of being whisked through passport control.  We rechecked our bags through to Charlottesville, and just a 20 minute hop later were in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on our way to Jonathan’s parents’ house.

Being back in Charlottesville is wonderfully relaxing as we enjoy the peace, quiet and space of the countryside while catching up with family and friends.  Ironically, it is much hotter in the US than it is right now in Kenya, but the boys have stayed cool with plenty of watermelon and popsicles.

On our first Sunday back, our friends David and Mara Roberts graciously hosted us for an afternoon meal at their cottage in the country.  We enjoyed meeting their new son Samuel, while the boys romped in the grass and discovered where eggs come from!  For more pictures of our afternoon in the countryside, please click here.