So long Houston

Well it is finally here, we left Houston last Friday (after an unexpected extra day due to flight cancellation) and arrived safely back in Aberdeen on Saturday. It is a very strange feeling, we are excited to be home and all that comes with being close to family and actually setting up home properly but we are really sad to leave all of our friends and a life that we love in Houston. Right now it feels like we are on holiday (apart from the fact that we are hemorrhaging money like crazy on house fittings and 2 new cars) but I am sure that reality will kick in over the next couple of weeks as we move into our new house and I go to work.

Our first transatlantic journey with Kyle was pretty smooth. He was a total stud and was really relaxed for the whole trip. He slept well, was not at all bothered by flying and was in a good mood to be greeted of the plane by a swarm of family and friends.

Kyle helped pack bags with us:

Was happy on the plane:

And is now confused about the idea of having to wear layers of clothes:

We have so many wonderful memories during our time in Houston and so many things to say, so I will keep it brief. Our 2 years in Houston included some of the most significant times of our lives.

• We have learned so much about our faith and have loved every minute of being part of HFBC - we will always consider them family and extremely near to our hearts. We have overcome some significant hurdles and have felt protected all the way through.
• We made some friendships which were truly incredible. So many of you have opened your lives to us during our time in Houston and we a sure that those friendships will continue regardless of the big ocean in the way. See next post for more details!
• We have really learned a lot about ourselves, our marriage and how much we enjoy doing life together. I have the most incredible wife and it has been great fun spending so much time together over the past 2 years.
• We have brought back a wonderful dual citizen! Kyle is such an amazing gift and we are incredibly blessed to have been entrusted with him

To our friends and family in Houston, thank you for all that you have taught us, for how you have loved us and for doing life with us. Know that there is a bed waiting for you in Scotland any time!!

On a lighter note, here are some fun things (and some not so fun at the time) that we will always remember:

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - the only time when we were allowed to act like Cowboys and not be laughed at. We loved that whole deal.
• Thanksgiving - both with the Hennings and on the farm with the Sanders. What an awesome holiday.
• A&M football - it is a little weird, but we loved it! (or at least Col did :)
• Going to the Astros games, especially getting to go to the World Series - now there is a memory!
• Getting stuck in Hurricane Rita traffic for 7 hours (that was NOT fun, it should have taken 45 mins!)
• Walking over the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco (and knowing that Lyns was 4 weeks pregnant!)
• Eating dinner in Grand Central station, New York
• Having breakfast at Smoothie Island Grill (and lunch...and dinner...and take out...)
• Walking memorial park
• Visiting Wimberley and Gruene TX
• Lynsey's baby showers
• Driving from Oklahoma through 'the worst ice storm in 20 years' (such an exageration!)
• Taking a horse carriage ride around San Antonio on a winters night
• Weekends at the lake house in Alice, TX
• New years day 2007 snowboarding in Keystone, CO

As you can tell, this list could keep going forever and this is officially our longest ever post... :)