We are back home...

We arrived at Schiphol before noon on Tuesday, but the kiosk (check in machine) at the airport said that we needed to check in with an agent. We stood in line for an agent for 1 1/2 hours and she said we were listed for the 10am flight. I know that we were listed for the 240pm flight, but by this time it was only 45 minutes to departure. We were not allowed to go to the gate, as there was confusion whether airline employee were able to fly on the flights. When they realized we were going home, they said we could, but it was too late.

I decided that it would be better to stay at the airport for the night, as we would need to be there really early the next morning (Wed morning). Sydney and Austin took naps during the night, while Colin worked on his homework, and I worked on making sure we would not have any problems the next morning. I tried to get the kiosk to work for us, but they are KLM ones, and they work differently when you try to check in for a Delta Air Line flight. An agent during the night said that agents would be at work again at 5:30am, so at 5:00am I was waiting in line. Colin joined me and told Austin where we were, as he stayed with Sydney sleeping with their heads on a table. At 5:30am, the security at the airport was waking everyone to get up and get ready to get on their flights. This is when they woke up Sydney and she woke up Austin and then they joined us in the line.

We had a little problem at the counter, but the agent gave us boarding pass, so we were able to get to the gate area. We arrived at the gate at 7:00am for a 10:10am depart. At about 9:30am, we were able to get on the flight with “Business Class” seats – YAY – as I was tired, but any seat would have been fine. We had enough time to text Saskia and for the children to call their mothers and for me to post on Facebook that we were on our way home.

We arrived in Minneapolis at 12:00 (noon) and were home by 1:00pm. Sydney wanted to go home, so we quick received her things that were left behind and headed back to the airport to get on a 3:35pm flight to home. She arrived home by 7:00pm – her mother, by texted that she was extremely tired. I am sure everyone was tired, I was in bed by 8:00pm and slept till 5:00am today.

Thank you Kees, Saskia, Kees and Iris so much for all your hospitality and care while we were in Holland and for taking us on tours and most importantly for getting us together with our families. That was the real reason for our visit. Austin, Colin, Sydney, and I had a wonderful time. I know that it was kind of stressful at the end not knowing when we would be able to go home, but all is well!!!