Kay in the USA

Kayla's boyfriend, from California,

joined the Air force.

Kay came out here in May,

and she and her boyfriend, Alex,

have not seen each other in person since.

They do skype all the time, 

and write actual letters, and even message each other.

so they have been in touch over the last 4 months regularly.

Well, that was until Alex started Basic Training.

8 1/2 weeks with no internet or phone,

which meant very limited connection to each other.

A hand written letter takes almost 2 weeks to arrive.

Graduating Basic Training is a HUGE deal, apparently.

I, honestly, had no idea.

Alex really wanted Kayla to be there for that.

He earned a special privilege to call her in Hong Kong from Basic,

and asked if there was anyway she could come to Texas.

Oh, and his graduation date just happened to be

Kayla's birthday....

Oh boy...

To be honest the idea of sending Kayla, by herself, sounded insane.

There are no direct flights to Texas from Hong Kong....

I really didn't like the idea...

But, it meant a lot to Kayla (and Alex),

That & Alex's Parents said Kay could stay with them in TX.

They were flying out too, big deal!

So, Todd and I discussed it and said ok.

With a few caveats...

First, since there are no direct flights to Texas,

we decided it would be best for her to fly into LA,

and have a separate flight to Texas.

She knows the LA airport,

and my Mom happens to live out that way! 

We decided to fly her out a few days ahead of time,

so she could actually spend some time with her Grama.

She didn't get much time with her, 

right before she came out to HK,

so that was awesome!

It also gave her some get over jetlag time!

My sweet Uncle Bill & Aunt Marcella

offered to take Kayla and my cousins Shannon & Everett

 to a birthday dinner.

(Shannon and Everett are brother and sister 

& share the bday of Sept 12th, 2 days before Kay's)

Which I thought was so neat!

Here are some stolen Kay FB pics:

My Mom and Aunt Marcella 

Cousins Shannon, Brock (Bill & Marcella's son), and Everett

 

Aunt Marcella, Uncle Bill (my Mom's bro btw), & Shannon (:

and 

My Kay, as she put it 'pretending to enjoy chocolate cake'. HA

She doesn't like cake. but she does like relatives!

Kay was able to spend time with Grama's new pup, Ginger

and she enjoyed seeing Jai too!

The squidlings and Amerillama were excited to sleep at Grama's house

After a few days of fun at Grama's.

My Mom drove Kayla the 2 1/2 hours to Alex's parents house.

We arranged for Kayla to be on the same flight to Texas.

I collect llamas, if you didn't know.

It was decided that Amerrillama should have the opportunity to go with Kay.

As, Amerillam was made in China, and never has seen her country!

She was very excited!

The flight to Texas had a stopover in Vegas.

Strangely, Kay couldn't play the slots?!

Apparently, in the airport you have to be 21!

Amerillama really like Texas,  Ha!

Finally, on thursday ...

Kay and Alex were reunited.

There was much joy!

 Alex's parents were super happy too! 

Todd and I packed a little bday card for Kay.

She had strict instructions to open on her birthday!

 

We celebrated before she left too, and will when she gets back also.

This is her first birthday I wasn't able to celebrate with her.

Yes.  I cried.

Darn kids growing up!!! 

Sunday night she flew directly to LAX,

not back to Orange county with Alex's parents.

Where my Mom was waiting to take her to dinner,

and make sure she got on her next flight to Hong Kong.

So thankful for my MOM!!!!!  (:

It sounds like she had a wonderful trip.

I can't WAIT to get her home!!

We all miss her super-lots!

She will be home tomorrow at 5:40am! 

YAY! (HK time, Tues)

Happy 19th Birthday, my Kay.

Definitely one you won't forget I am sure!