The sun sets upon our last glimpse of Shanghai in 2014.
Zero Days, as Luke calls it. It was finally time to return to family and friends in Ohio. Bags were packed and, more importantly, electronics were handed out.
Post-14-hour-flight excitement
Our return to Ohio was a whirlwind, yet magical. I don’t have photos that capture all of the true excitement from this trip. But we came back to Shanghai with more than that. You can’t quite sum up the feeling of those reunions and hugs. Or the joy felt upon pulling up to your home on the other side of the world, only to discover that your neighbor has decorated the outside for you. Opening the door to a house full of family. Watching as Kate’s Christmas wish was granted so that her and Jack could visit their friends at East Woods Elementary. Countless parties, lunches, dinners, and play dates squeezed into everyone’s busy schedules (and between illnesses).
So much love.
Luke is showing that he is tall enough to play dodgeball with the big kids. Most games of which, Luke was so proud to be the last man standing. Proof that he’s agile and quick, but also that the other team was too nice to go for the easy target.
And yes, Christmas was somewhere in there, too. But the gift of being with family and friends far-exceeeded anything that we could have found under the tree.
And if you ask Luke what Santa brought him this year, evidently bubblegum and two cars was enough. (note to self)
Finally, our last day of 2014 arrived : New Year’s Eve. This time it was more than that. It was the end of our first year in Shanghai. The year had come full circle with us boarding the exact flight precisely one year later. Cleveland-Newark. Newark-Shanghai.
Our last glimpse of the USA in 2014, as the sun rises upon New York City.
Somewhere over China, we rang in the new year. This is how we looked at exactly 12:00 EST:
Somewhat excited (to land)
Kate would’t budge.
Of course, right? When I asked him to look at me for a photo, he mumbled, “I can’t.”
And so another year begins : 2015
Our first look at Shanghai in 2015.
Cheers to 2014. It was quite the year. On to 2015, and the adventure that awaits!
And by adventure, I mean jet-lag:
How our dinners looked for the first three nights of 2015. Notice that dinner hasn’t even arrived. I was the only one who found this amusing…as you can tell by John’s glare.
Xin Nian Hao! Thank you for the unforgettable memories of 2014!
ourshanghaidays 
Another great job Julie!!!! Loved it❤️❤️
Sent from my iPhone
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