DENVER — Thousands of travelers came through Denver International Airport (DIA) on Wednesday. Many thankful to find it was smooth sailing for the most part.
While there's no place like home for the holidays, but for many families, those reunions start at the airport. At DIA's arrivals, joy fills the air. It bubbles in every hug, kiss and welcome home.
Waiting at the gate, brothers Henry and Arthur Jack are waiting on someone special.
"Our uncle from Chicago," Henry said.
He's traveling to visit them from Illinois, this time.
"Right now he's in Chicago, but..." said Kaori Uno-Jack, Henry and Arthur's mother and bassoon player for the Colorado Ballet.
"Usually in Japan," Henry said.
"Yes, he's from Japan," Arthur added.
The welcome they'll give him here is well worth the journey from Broomfield.
"It was a long drive," Arthur said.
Kaori said the boys haven't seen their uncle Toru for two years. All of them are ready to hang out with him over the holidays.
"It makes me kind of happy because I haven't seen him for a very long time," Henry said.
"Correction! A very, very, very, very long time!" Arthur added.
The boys have big plans to play games and see "The Nutcracker," where both Kaori and her husband play bassoon.
On Thanksgiving, it's turkey. But on Wednesday, they're making hand-rolled sushi.
"I usually like having the bacon, cucumber, mayonnaise," Henry said. "It’s actually a really good combo."
Waiting by the gate, Henry has his sign ready.
"It's in Japanese, it says, 'Welcome back uncle Toru!'" he said. "I wrote that just for fun. It's because we're really excited for that."
"Oh here! Yay!" Kaori said, turning the boys around as she spots Toru approaching from the DIA trains.
As the boys welcome their uncle to Colorado, they say they're grateful to spend their Thanksgiving all together. Arthur and Henry say bringing their Japanese and American traditions here together on the holiday will make for a very special Thanksgiving Day.