Hi Everyone!
We have been in the USA for over a month now and time has FLOWN by! The kids and I flew into Chicago for a quick 3 days before flying out to Boise to meet up with Eric who had arrived there 3 days prior to spend more time with his family. We had a wonderful time in Idaho, most of which was spent in McCall area. We were staying at the Tamarack Resort for Kirk (Eric's brother) and Cherish's wedding festivities. We stayed at a GORGEOUS house with all the fine ammenities. We were also lucky enough to have the house where the wedding day activties were held. I had a lot of fun pitching in where I could.
We hiked, we swam, we talked, we all had a blast. It was especially nice to spend 4 fun filled days with family and close friends of Cherish -- it was great to get to know my new sister in law's family/friends. The wedding ceremony and reception were beautiful and fun! The kids had such a great time being involved too.
The second two weeks were spent in Washington - our home town. We stayed one week with the White's and one week with the Kostorowski's. I am sure all were more than sick of us when we left! :) We had such an amazing time catching up with friends and spending quality fun time together. I think it was especially nice for the kids and I to see that our friends still loved us, even after a year away! :) (we think! :)) Unless you have done something like this, it is hard to explain. But the kids were definitely struggling with leaving a 'life' thinking everyone would 'forget them' and then knowing they have to reenter that life. I think they are doing well.
We had so many highlights and so much fun! Thank you for all who made the effort to see us, hang out with us, fit us in, etc... We are SOOOO sorry if time ran short and we weren't able to figure it out. (Carrie - Evan is still mad at me that we didn't find Syd! Sorry!)
We arrived in Chicago a week ago and have been just as busy having fun with my siblings, their kids and my parents. We were lucky to catch my Dad's retirement celebration and even luckier to have him home this week as we wrap up our US Tour!
We are hitting lots of pools and I am doing much too much shopping trying to get us all ready to return. After a year in Austria, honestly there isn't a TON that I can't do without - but is is SOOOO much cheaper here and more fun to shop here!!!
I will write again soon with some more thoughtful notes on what it is like to be back and what we miss (besides Eric!!)
