Home (bitter)sweet home. Part II.

We flew into Chicago on Tuesday and were welcomed with open arms by Elizabeth, John, and Charlie. Charlie even welcomed me into his bed for a bit of a reading/ipad-ing, which was particularly sweet. 

On Wednesday, Elizabeth, Charlie, Andrew, and I spent the morning at the zoo with Ben, Rita, and little Andrew. It was so wonderful to see our old friends, and we got to have lunch at Portillo's, to boot! We went to see Marisa and Dave's new house in Oak Park on Thursday before having lunch with Marisa, and then headed back to Mom & Dad's to meet Christopher after his flight got in. The wedding was Friday and we were flying away again on Saturday afternoon, but not until after I had a hot dog. 

More photos on flickr.

Home (bitter)sweet home. Part I.

Only in America:

(Newark allayed us of any fears that we hadn't landed in the USA.)

Our flight over (in September) wasn't actually that bad this time. And arriving at the airport was wonderful; it always is. Mom and Eric were there waiting for us as soon as we walked off the plane in Buffalo and took us to dinner. No matter how many times we go home, it still shocks me just how great it is to see someone waiting at the airport. It's almost as if I don't even realize just how much I miss someone until I'm there in person. Visits home are tough: it's a long way to come for a such a short time.

We saw Emily, Jon, and Addy for a short while on Sunday, and on Monday we went up to the land, which was amazing. 

Mom & Dad & Jon have been working hard all summer long to get it ready for winter, and it seems as if it will be fine; all buttoned up now until spring. This was my first time up there, and it'll be wonderful to look back years from now and remember that I saw it before it was finished.

We spent another day with Emily, Jon, Addy, and Eric before Eric drove us to Buffalo for our flight to Chicago. Before we left, we stopped for some ice cream with A. Joanne, Lou, A. Janet & Uncle Dick, and A. Sandra - it was so nice to see them again. Onward to Chicago for Kara and Brian's wedding, and more photos on flickr.