I had a 9-day business trip to the Washington D.C. area last week (which explains the lack of entries for a while). I really hate travelling without the family, but it just didn't make sense to bring everyone along on this trip, so I did it solo. Luck for me, however, I had excellent shuttle and escort service to and from the Long Beach airport. 
Stacy and N came along to cheer me up, and L provided invaluable assistance in getting my bags to the terminal.
Everybody stood in line with me to get my baggage checked. 
And then everyone waited with me outside the gate.
And waited.
And waited... 
The flight departure was delayed by about two hours due to bad weather in the D.C. area.
Eventually my flight boarded and I got underway, though it proved to be quite an adventure. Just as we got in the D.C. area, they shut down Dulles due to the thunderstorms. Evidently most of the mid-east coast was shut down. We circled for another two hours and then due to fuel issues, diverted to Richmond, Virginia. We sat in Richmond another two hours (at least they let us off the plane!) before we finally got airborne again and into Dulles. By the time I arrived at my car rental place, they were all sold out except for 3 SUVs and a Prius. I went reluctantly green.
The week was a blur of seven 10- to 12-hour days, with some occasional breaks for kiddo-calls.
But eventually it wrapped up and I headed home yesterday. The return trip went much smoother. As my plane was touching down I spied my entourage from my plane window, standing on the airport roof viewing area waving frantically. When I emerged into the baggage claim area I was tackled by two tiny thunderstorms and a rather haggard wife. 
Last night after everyone had rested and showered (especially Daddy), there were "special treats" doled out for everyone. Mommy got some special teas from a favorite tea shop in Alexandria. N got an airport play mat with roads and runways for his mini cars and planes. L got a gift that combined her two current passions: a book of dinosaur puzzles!
She was thrilled, but not half as excited as she was about the other "gift" she got, a miniature soap labeled "Town Suites".
(Yes, I shamelessly pillage the mini-soaps from any hotel that'll house me.)
It is wonderful to be home. I'm so glad to be away from the hustle and bustle and noise and overstimulation of the world of airports and travel, and to be home in my own nice, quiet, abode...
...sort of.
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