A New Year and We're in America

January 10:  Two weeks here in America, and I have ambivalent feelings.  

I can't believe how easy it is to shop;  Hobby Lobby, JoAnne Fabrics,

WalMart, Albertsons.  You can find everything you need so quickly. 

 I wish I could take several suitcases with all the things

I might need--chocolate chips, maple syrup, etc.

So where does the ambivalence come in?  I miss China!  I miss walking 

to the places I need to go (except when it's really cold and then I use the driver).

I miss daily exercising and swimming.  I really miss being with the Chinese people.

How I love being able to drive my own car!  To be able to go wherever I want to

at the moment I decide to, is a special freedom.

I've loved being able to see all the grandchildren.  

(This picture is from last summer, and doesn't include the two youngest).

At first we all over-indulged in all the Christmas sweets and

good food--and felt physically terrible.  After 5 months with much less sugar in our diet

we've found that sugar isn't all that great.

We enjoyed a trip to Logan to visit Justin and Darcy,

spending New Year's Eve watching movies, snacking and putting together a puzzle,

after fulfilling one of Ellie's wishes--eating at Panda Express.  (For "real" Chinese food!)  We also had
the breakfast at Kneader's--all-you-can-eat pancakes or french toast with a caramel
syrup.  Sugar overload!  But the experience was worth it!

We drove (road-trip!) to Fort Collins to visit Ryan and his family.  The weather was very cooperative, with clear skies for driving--no mountain snow storms this time--and pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities.  How fast the days whiz by with little children around to read stories to and play with. 

Fort Collins is such a fun little town.  Pianos on the sidewalk to play with.

 And a fun ice-skating rink (and a $3 skate rental).  I worried about breaking a bone
or something, but enjoyed it.  Nothing like playing outdoors when you don't
have to wear coats or gloves.

We even had a bike ride and picnic in the park.  In January!

 And to prove that I was along with them, you have "The Shadow".

 

Ryan had a little accident while his family was visiting in Arizona.  While doing target shooting,

a fragment ricocheted and hit him in the neck.  Doctors determined it was too close to the artery to let it stay so he had surgery, and now has a nice 3-inch scar on his neck.  

We are all grateful it didn't penetrate the artery, and his life was spared!

After driving back from Colorado, Kevin had to leave to go back to
China--somebody in this family has to work, after all.

And we still have a few more days in the States.