It's hard to believe that it had been a full year since I'd been home last. The two weeks I spent home for Christmas and New Year's was fantastic and wonderful and of course busy.
After a lonnggggggg day flying home (delayed flight, "emergency" landing, no sleep for more than 24 hours), my parents picked me up at the airport in Cincinnati. With a short stop to see some neighbor friends (shout out to Lisa and the others that read my blog ;) - sorry I don't have any pictures with you to post!)
I'm so lucky to have so many great friends and family. Even if its been a year since we saw each other or even spoke, we pick up right where we left off, have fun, and laugh our butts off!
Mom planned for a welcome home sign for me at the bank:
On my first day back, we had "roommate day" at the Bengals game. My parents came to the game with us. We had a blast tailgating and cheering the Bengals on to a victory!
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The next day, I had the pleasure of meeting the three newest additions to our group of friends - Gage, Annabelle, and Evie. So much cuteness!
Christmas Eve at Grandpa Schaefers:
Christmas morning at Lainey & Josh's:
Christmas at Mom & Dad's:
Eli liked the present I brought him back from Switzerland. Paprika chips were his favorite when he was here visiting, and he still loves them!
Christmas at Grandpa Blasdel's:
The Blasdel great-grandkids put on a "play" of the birth of Jesus. Somehow these crazy kids brought some pretty wild dancing into the Christmas Story.
Grandpa opening up his Swiss chocolate
My new skis!
Aunt Jo and Uncle Brian with their BK Lederhosen:
A night out in Batesville
12 bars of Christmas
Hanging out with my IU friends in Indy:
New Year's Eve party at my house:
The IU Girls
My favorite cousin Cassandra
Mom & Dad
Jamie pouring the champagne I brought back from champagne, France!
Roommates:
Jamie's future husband working out during the party and using the water bottle holder for his beer can. I also spent a great day in Indy hanging with Jamie & Brandon, eating good food and having a few drinks. Can't wait for their wedding in March!
Traditional New Year's Day Lunch at the Chinese Buffet. Note Katie's lunch of sprite:
Eli in the "Swiss" shirt I got him:
Kaylynn in her Swiss dirndl:
I was so lucky to get to spend time with my niece and nephew, Kaylynn and Eli throughout my two weeks at home. After a few days, Eli finally warmed up to me. One day I watched them for the whole day. Kaylynn requested that we go to the Children's museum for her "special day". They were so good. Miss them already!
A lot of people have asked me what I miss about home. Besides the obvious (friends and family!), I miss shopping (Swiss stores aren't that great, not the stores I'm used to, and expensive) and the FOOD. Some of the highlights of the good food I ate when I was home were:
Skyline:
Olive Garden salad & breadsticks:
Mexican food (no picture, probably because I ate it so fast).
Lots of "momma's" cooking.
And a good cheeseburger (Five Guys pictured):
Great trip home. Thanks for all the friends that made time to see me with my crazy schedule!
