Starting on Monday, we only had about 2 1/2 days left of our US trip, and I'd say we did a pretty good job to fit it all in! Monday we drove over to Owatonna, my second hometown growing up, for a family BBQ. Owatonna, Minnesota is where my parents grew up and met, and we have spent numerous family holidays and celebrations in Owatonna with the entire fam of grandma and grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins on both my mom and dad's side of the family.
The BBQ was at uncle Bob and aunt Diane's house (my mom's side of the family). We also celebrated Brian turning 30 so he received some great cards and a nice big cake! We had steak again (I was so spoiled!) and shrimp for Brian. Almost the whole fam was there: Grandpa Dick and Grandma Pat, Bob and Diane, Aunt Melinda, cousin Jen and husband Brian, their twin girls Ashley and Taylor, and cousin Lisa. Cousin Steve lives in Texas and Charlie wasn't home yet from Belgium. It was great to just hang out and eat and be merry like our usual family get-togethers. Living far away, we've been missing out on so many of them, and it's been hard. But when we can get a chance to be with family, it's wonderful. We also had the chance to visit with Grandma and Grandpa at their home before we all headed over for the BBQ. So that was nice to talk with them before it got crazy with everyone.
Tuesday I had a great surprise finding out that two of my best friends from high school were also home during that week. Sarah, with her new baby Kaitlyn and Sonja were both home visiting their families. So we met up for lunch at the Hungry Mind and then hung out at Southbridge Mall in Mason City. I tell you it was big excitement!!! Was sooo great to see the girls and especially when unexpected.
Tuesday night Charlie arrived home from 6 months in Belgium. It was late when he arrived, so the next morning we all got up to have a nice turkey lunch and then put up the Christmas tree!! Yes, you read correctly. Since we were all home at the same time, Mom wanted everyone to be together to put up the tree. . . in October! But it was fun and she's got it all ready to go now. We also had to celebrate Halloween too. :) We only had this afternoon to visit together, because Brian and I were flying back to the UK in the early evening. Dad drove us up to the cities with all of our luggage, and we flew home on Iceland Air. It was tough getting back into the swing of things here (mainly from jet lag) but we're doing great now and enjoying a beautiful fall. So more to tell you about in the next posts!
Starting on Monday, we only had about 2 1/2 days left of our US trip, and I'd say we did a pretty good job to fit it all in! Monday we drove over to Owatonna, my second hometown growing up, for a family BBQ. Owatonna, Minnesota is where my parents grew up and met, and we have spent numerous family holidays and celebrations in Owatonna with the entire fam of grandma and grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins on both my mom and dad's side of the family. 
The BBQ was at uncle Bob and aunt Diane's house (my mom's side of the family). We also celebrated Brian turning 30 so he received some great cards and a nice big cake! We had steak again (I was so spoiled!) and shrimp for Brian. Almost the whole fam was there: Grandpa Dick and Grandma Pat, Bob and Diane, Aunt Melinda, cousin Jen and husband Brian, their twin girls Ashley and Taylor, and cousin Lisa. Cousin Steve lives in Texas and Charlie wasn't home yet from Belgium. It was great to just hang out and eat and be merry like our usual family get-togethers. Living far away, we've been missing out on so many of them, and it's been hard. But when we can get a chance to be with family, it's wonderful. We also had the chance to visit with Grandma and Grandpa at their home before we all headed over for the BBQ. So that was nice to talk with them before it got crazy with everyone.
Tuesday I had a great surprise finding out that two of my best friends from high school were also home during that week. Sarah, with her new baby Kaitlyn and Sonja were both home visiting their families. So we met up for lunch at the Hungry Mind and then hung out at Southbridge Mall in Mason City. I tell you it was big excitement!!! Was sooo great to see the girls and especially when unexpected. 
Tuesday night Charlie arrived home from 6 months in Belgium. It was late when he arrived, so the next morning we all got up to have a nice turkey lunch and then put up the Christmas tree!! Yes, you read correctly. Since we were all home at the same time, Mom wanted everyone to be together to put up the tree. . . in October! But it was fun and she's got it all ready to go now. We also had to celebrate Halloween too. :) We only had this afternoon to visit together, because Brian and I were flying back to the UK in the early evening. Dad drove us up to the cities with all of our luggage, and we flew home on Iceland Air. It was tough getting back into the swing of things here (mainly from jet lag) but we're doing great now and enjoying a beautiful fall. So more to tell you about in the next posts!
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