home for the holidays

Dear readers, I am writing to you from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where it was a balmy 50 degrees today! I finally made it to my parents' house yesterday around 5:00 pm, where I was greeted with open arms and Mexican food night. My sister and future brother-in-law Jerod came over for dinner, and Jerod made his famous guacamole. After dinner I got to open some of my Christmas presents...one of which was a new digital camera!!!! I've never owned one before, so I'm very excited. I am getting some practice with it this week before my big trip over the ocean next Sunday. Here are some pics from our dinner at Trolley Bar tonight:

Jerod and his giant Bloody Mary with a shrimp in it:


the lovebirds:


me and mom:


In other news from the homefront, tomorrow is Mom's work Christmas party, and she is hosting it...here. Dad and I are going to sneak away to Muncie and visit my brother at school so that we can avoid the 20+ female pre-school teachers who will be taking the house by storm tomorrow night. Mom has entered the final phase of party planning, which my dad, brother and sister and I fondly refer to as "guest panic". Here is the face of guest panic:



But in all seriousness, the house has never looked better. Way to go, Mom!

Today I made the trek out to my sister's house on the east side of town to meet her two children...I mean dogs. They are precious, and they really took to their Auntie Emily:





Starburst (the Jack Russell terrier) and Lilly (the labradoodle) are simply adorable. Star actually likes wearing her sweater! They are definitely high-energy animals; they were jumping all over me when I got there. Maybe I'm not ready for that dog quite yet...

Life is good here with my loved ones. And just 6 more days until I get to see my honey! My heart is happy.