Reunited! Return to Nanny and Papa, Family, Old Friends, and the U.S. Ahhhh...sweet relief

First setting our feet on American soil, and, like all good Americans, we are trailed by all our crap. A return to AirTrain, JFK, and NYC was a huge sigh of relief.

Everyone in Asia looked shocked once they saw all our baggage, and we'd quickly get defensive - explaining that we are carting a year's worth of stuff back from Asia. But, that didn't lessen the pain our drivers and guides in Asia had loading and unloading our bags over and over again.

After months of elaborate anticipation of returning to Nanny, Papa, and their beloved home, we FINALLY arrived to find this sign on their door. It had been decorated by some of the kids' Long Island cousins.

Did I say FINALLY?

And, my mama made my favorite, after a year of deprivation -- red beans and rice, y'all!

The land's end warehouses were cleared by Nanny's quicksilver fingers on the keyboard purchasing school clothes for her adored grandies, who entered their new school looking much less ragged than usual. Such bliss to be reunited!

Grif, looking debonair, sporting his new duds -- feeling unleashed to be free at Nanny and Papa's estate after over a year of relentless travel and restrictions.

And, look at the MANY who came to visit on labor day weekend, Hurricane Irene be damned, after they were "evacuated" from their Tribeca home! That's two gorgeous ladies inside that sexy dress! Becca and who'd later pop out in November and be named -- Marie Constance

Alice adorned by one of her many Asian frocks, in preparation for the grand return show.

Huntie enjoying the frivolous foods at our return brunch, with many LI cousins.

The peacock, the former symbol of Burma before the military junta deemed it too weak as a symbol for their brutal state. But, kids in Burma still wear it for their Buddhist coming-of-age ceremonies, as does Alice, just to eat her waffles.

We all love Aunt JO!

Oh, how we missed Molly's waffles!

Jay and Bec

Allison and John - that's one gorgeous couple!

Captivating all with stories bejeweled stories of the far east.

The camera can't take its lens off of Jo

Molly, is that your waffle inside your mouth?

The much-practiced, much-anticipated show of the year --- (drum roll please) -- the "Year in Malaysia" show. It was practiced throughout the summer, across all our travels, mostly inspired by monkeys, kung fu, and Indian sequined dresses. This is Alice building anticipation in the crowd of LI relatives, for the revealing of her...

Best frock of the YEAR!

Need a second look at it, from the side? Wait, is that a Burmese Buddhist superman buzzing around this calm model?

Griffin, sweating with kung fu effort.

Click HERE for more Kung Fu arm moves

And, back to a Tai Chi lesson from Alice (click HERE), along with show of yet more Indian frocks! Click HERE for a bow and a year's worth of Birthday singing, to make up for our kids' lonely birthdays in Asia. So touching.

Huntie, a captivating Burmese Buddhist

A day at the Island, with the fishermen sharing their catch with us

And sharing their poles with us! We have a long history of alternating friction (from our annoyed Pop Pop) and warmth towards the fisherman next to the mill. This time, warmth prevailed, with a fun outcome for our boys. Note that Gus and Boom both instinctively grab their crotches at the prospect of grabbing the fishing pole.

And the worm goes on.

I'd take Becca round the world and have photos of her at the 7 wonders -- Pregnant Becca with the Taj Mahal behind her, and here's Pregnant Becca with...She's such an adventuress, she'd probably be game. Maybe with baby #5?

A dramatic moment in our dramatic reunion, when a TREE FELL ON THE HOUSE! Yes, Hurricane Irene hit after the Markleys were evacuated out of NYC to LI with us. Turns out LI was a more dangerous place to be than Manhattan, with trees falling everywhere, and luck for us, barely causing any real damage to our place, but leaving us with a great story to tell for years to come.

Look who else came and joined us for a day at the mill to be reunited! God mommy Lex, reconnecting with Alice, surprised by Alice's mature emotional depth. They moved to NYC when we were in Asia, and we were amazed by our luck to have them back east, back home with us.

God, I've known Aidan since he had a passy in his mouth, and I couldn't believe his gorgeous, teenaged self, with a shark tooth around his neck!

"I can't talk now, Mom, I'm playing." Grif has a Harry Potter wizard magic dueling session that goes on anytime he's near a stick serving as a wand and needs a mental break from the scene.

Voldemort vanquished, on the Mill island.

Adriana and Alice

Liam and Mike, exploring the wet wild Mill river.

Mike's birthday, and he can't wait for the cupcakes Alice diligently created for him.

Happy birthday Mike! Always the ham

The mill, with 3 newly minted kid-sized kayaks and blissed yet meditative kids on top. We also take mats and ride down the waterfall, on the back right of this photo, at high tide.

Cousin Nick and Griffin proving their balancing mettle. Peace, for me, to see them all floating on my beloved river.

August 21, 2011