Anticipation and realization

Darla, Mom and I arrived at the Quito airport around 6:00 on Sunday evening (July 3).  We had supper at a restaurant on the premises.  Then Darla took a taxi to the home of the McLeans where she was to spend the night.  She was scheduled to return to the States on Tuesday and had "a few" things to get ready before that.  Tomorrow she will join us for an excursion to Mindo.  Mom and I then began the process of pure waiting.  Everyone would arrive on the same flight, having met up in Texas, and their flight would arrive around 11:00.  They would have to collect their bags and go through customs, so that would add a bit more to our waiting time.  However, we were able to wait with smiles on our faces because we know what the end result would be.  

We sat the last stretch of our waiting time in the arrivals area where we could see a TV monitor giving information about incoming flights.  As soon as their flight flashed "Landed," I jumped up and headed to the waiting area by the doors exiting the customs area.  "Won't it probably still be a little while?" Mom inquired sensibly.  "Yep, but I want to see them the minute they come through those doors!"  

This is what we saw for a good while.  Every time the doors slid open, everyone in the rather large crowd expectantly craned their necks to see if their loved ones were on the verge of exiting.

"That's them back there!!!!!!!"  

And they're HERE!!!!!!!!!

A joyous and somewhat tearful reunion

Wow, guys!  You brought quite a bit of stuff.  Oh, some of it's for me?  Oh, a lot of it's for me?  Let the unpacking begin!  ;-)