Happy Day - Homecoming Day

Monday was the day we have been waiting for 181 days since Nov 3rd:  Homecoming day for Brad's boat.  It was a long day but a very happy day too.  Brad boat came in late afternoon and we did not get home until late evening.  It was like Brad never left for both Eme and I.  Eme loved dancing at the pier to the Navy Band while we waited for the boat to arrive.  They had star klackers that she loved to play with too.  She spent most of the time waiting dancing and clacking her star.  As the boat finally pulled up to the pier she started calling out for Daddy.  She couldn't wait for the boat to get docked and wanted to go down and get Daddy on the boat.  They finally got out to the top and disembarked in rank order from most junior to the most senior, which meant that Brad was the 8th to last person off the boat.  We waved to Daddy when he finally got up topside and made our way over to the brow, which is the walkway from the boat to the pier.  Eme kicked her way out of my arms and ran down the brow into Brad's arms screaming Daddy.  Unfortunately, the picture man was no where to be found so we have no pictures of this but I tried to recreate it when Brad went back down to get all of his stuff.  It was a very happy day and Eme reacted better than ever expected.  Here are some pictures from the day. 

Eme and I waiting for the boat.

As the boat arrived in the harbor, all of the other boats in the port sounded their horns as they passed by.   Hearing this sound brought tears to my eyes and butterflies to my heart.

We made a lei for the boat out of plastic table cloths. It was huge.

Sorry for the sideways picture. These were the leis that we made for each sailor on the boat and the crafts that the MWR provided for the kiddos.

Eme playing with her klacker.

Seeing the boat up close and personal for the first time brought excitement and hugs. We practiced lots of big hugs and kisses for Daddy.

There is Brad topside third from the left.

Giving Daddy the Klacker to play with.

Our first family picture in 6 months.

Eme wanted to touch the lantern in the arch.

A family of cheese head smiles.  This is my favorite family picture to date! 

Eme and Daddy.

Here is the cup sign that the announced the homecoming.

Artistic pictures of the lei I made for Brad, his cover and the rose he gave me.

The banner that we put up at the house.

A magnet on the fridge that can go on the car too.