WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush have landed in Midland, Texas, the former first lady's hometown and her husband's childhood home.



Former President George W. Bush helicopters for the last time to Andrews Air Force Base on Tuesday.



A crowd welcomed the Bushes in Midland, waving red, white and blue W signs.



Country music performers Rodney Atkins, the Gatlin Brothers and Lee Greenwood performed until the former first family arrived.



"Today is a good day for the Bush family. We're back in Texas, and we're here to stay," Bush told a cheering crowd in downtown Midland's Centennial Plaza. "I am grateful that y'all came out to welcome us home."  Watch the crowd in Midland cheer Bush »



The Bushes flew to Midland from Washington on Tuesday after inaugural ceremonies for President Obama.



"A good man took the oath of office today, and we offer him our prayers for success," he said.



The Bushes boarded a helicopter in front of the Capitol bound for Andrews Air Force Base shortly before 1 p.m.



Obama and first lady Michelle Obama walked the Bushes to the helicopter -- known as Marine One when the president is on board but called "Executive One" for this flight -- and bid them farewell with handshakes and hugs.



The former president kept busy right up until his final moments in the White House.



Painters and cleaning crews were still working in the West Wing press offices. Moving crews heaved boxes and delicately carried paintings bound in bubble wrap. Other moving trucks were unloading boxes and carting them into the White House. iReport.com: President Bush draws boos from inauguration crowd



George W. Bush spent Tuesday morning making calls. He rang outgoing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card and former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.  Watch Bush wave goodbye »



The former president also had a conversation with his good friend the Rev. T.D. Jakes.



Jakes is the chief pastor of the nondenominational megachurch Potter's House in Dallas, Texas. He was in Washington to give a sermon Tuesday at St. John's Church, a short walk from the White House.



It's unclear what was said in any of these exchanges, but Bush made clear to the nation last week that his presidency was challenging and that he is "filled with gratitude."



Though there has been "legitimate debate" about many of his decisions, including the war in Iraq, Bush said, "there can be little debate about the results. America has gone more than seven years without another terrorist attack on our soil."



Noting that Bush's last day in the home he has known for eight years was fraught with emotion, press secretary Dana Perino spoke affectionately about her boss.



Bush "gave me a kiss on the forehead," she said. "It's something I will never forget."



An attempt to sweeten the memories of the White House press corps was made Tuesday when Perino gave reporters boxes of M&Ms. The candies were wrapped with a presidential seal and signed by President Bush.



Shortly before President Barack Obama and his family arrived at the White House, Bush took a last walk around the South Lawn. He spent his remaining time at the White House with his family.



After the inauguration, a wheelchair-bound Vice President Dick Cheney, who injured his back lifting boxes while moving, was taken to a motorcade.
What did Bush say to the crowd? What kind of Candy did Bush's Press Secretary give to reporters? What city in Texas did Bush return to? What does Bush say about Obama? What state is Bush in "to stay"? What did press secretary give reporters? What did Bush say? Where did the Bushes arrive? What state is Midland in? What time did the Bushes arrive?
"I am grateful that y'all came out boxes of M&Ms. Midland, "A good man took the oath of office today, and we offer him our prayers for success," Texas, boxes of M&Ms. We're back in Texas, and we're here to stay," Midland, Texas, Texas, shortly before 1 p.m.
question: What did Bush say to the crowd?, answer: "I am grateful that y'all came out | question: What kind of Candy did Bush's Press Secretary give to reporters?, answer: boxes of M&Ms. | question: What city in Texas did Bush return to?, answer: Midland, | question: What does Bush say about Obama?, answer: "A good man took the oath of office today, and we offer him our prayers for success," | question: What state is Bush in "to stay"?, answer: Texas, | question: What did press secretary give reporters?, answer: boxes of M&Ms. | question: What did Bush say?, answer: We're back in Texas, and we're here to stay," | question: Where did the Bushes arrive?, answer: Midland, Texas, | question: What state is Midland in?, answer: Texas, | question: What time did the Bushes arrive?, answer: shortly before 1 p.m.