Surprise!!!

Thursday afternoon we began the long journey home.  That's right, did I forget to mention we were heading home to the beach cottage for the weekend?  Actually, I didn't forget.  I purposely didn't mention it because...

It was a SURPRISE!!!

The original plan was to be in South America for 6 weeks--back and forth between Argentina and Brazil.  After about a week in Argentina, as plans began to cement and some complications came up with Brazil's import stuff, it looked like we would arrive at a natural break and should plan a weekend "recuperation" trip home.  This was extra-exciting news!  You see, Dad and Mom Sauder had been planning a spring visit to California, and when it turned out to be while we were abroad, all of us were a little disappointed.  Now that we could feasibly be back in good ole' LA that weekend to see them, we decided to make it happen.  And...to keep it a SURPRISE!!!

Through various conversations with Aunt Sue, who also got Grammy in on it, plans were made.  We were scheduled arrive Friday morning.  Grammy would bring Mom down to the beach cities that afternoon, and SURPRISE!!!  Then, that evening, when Dad flew in, we'd go to the airport and, SURPRISE!!!  So fun!  

Well, after another night on a plane we arrived in Miami International Airport...late.  Knowing we were most likely going to miss our connection to LAX, we steeled ourselves and tried valiantly to make a mad dash for luggage and a quick customs event.  We still missed the flight and were put on another flight departing a few hours later.  Okay, so we wouldn't get into LA until afternoon, that shouldn't mess up the SURPRISE!!!

Little did we know as our late plane taxied to the jetway in Miami, that we were in for a SURPRISE!!! of our own!  Glancing through emails, Jonathan read one from Dad with the news that Steven was on his way to Haiti.  Wheels began turning.  Don't Haiti trips usually have a layover in Miami?  We called Steven.  Sure enough, he was in Miami airport along with a dozen other work team folks headed off for a week in Les Cayes.  

So we met up and had breakfast with Steve-o.

We had to take a picture so you all would believe it!

It's not a great picture, obviously.

But it is proof!

He headed off for Haiti, we headed a few gates down to hop on our flight to California.  Turns out, flights across the country can seem just as long as an overnight flight all the way from South America.  LA was smoggy and overcast, but a sight for sore eyes!  Aunt Sue took us home with her since Grammy and Mom were coming down in a few hours.  We were set up for the first SURPRISE!!!  It was wonderful!  No dramatic screams, but mouth-open-wide wonder..."Are you really here?"  Captured for your viewing pleasure below.   The second clip captures the second SURPRISE!!!  Dad was a little more verbal..."No way!!"

Success!