To Be Home Again

And by home, I mean the Netherlands. It was a very strange feeling flying back after a 3 week stay in Ohio. During the taxi ride from the airport to our house Jason asked if it felt "normal" to be back. I responded with "Yes, but that doesn't mean it is a good thing".

We flew into Cincinnati a few days before Christmas. It was the worst 24 hours Jason and I have ever spent. Our long flight from Amsterdam to Newark ended with Nolan throwing up all over me, the seat and some carry-ons. We carried on to baggage claim which had its own obstacles to over come. After going through customs, security,sending our baggage off again and finally arriving to the correct gate, we waited for 7 hrs. Try to picture juggling 3 kids, 6 and under, who have not slept, who are hungry, thirsty, and need to use the bathroom every 20 mins. (which there is ALWAYS a line for) for 7 hrs. We finally boarded our plane at 11:50 pm. Carter proceeded to scream, kick and cry the entire flight. Good times were had by all. We made it to Dayton with Jason's parents and got everyone to bed at 3:00 am. It was a long day. Then add the 6 hour time difference that the kids needed to adjust to and you can imagine how the first few nights and mornings went.

On a positive note, we spent a lot of time with family and friends. It felt like we had never left. We celebrated with Jason's family before heading up to Cleveland. On the morning of Christmas Eve we headed to my Aunt's for a family brunch (which is typically held on Thanksgiving, but an exception was made this year) one of our favorite traditions. Many "out of towners" were there to see. Then that evening we had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Kielbasa and Dumplings before heading out to a candle light service at church. Christmas day was crazy at my mom's house with not only my family, but with my brother and his family in from Florida. After that is a blur of family, friends and food. The kids and I made it back to our old neighborhood for a visit. We brought in the New Year at Pomeroy House with our good friends the Foley's and the Karabaic's. Then New Years day we spent more time at my mom's house with my brother and his family along with the Dones family (which we consider an extention of our family). Jason spent a lot of time with friends and I did get a "girl's night out". Then we were off to Dayton again. While in Dayton, the kids got to enjoy the snow with some sledding. Jason fit in a Poker game with some old friends. I spent an entire day with a good friend, eating, shopping, pedicures, and an introduction to Sushi at Thai 9. It was a great trip.

We even ended on a positive note. We headed out early to the airport due to snow and bad weather. We only experienced a minor delay out of Cincinnati. Flew into Newark with out any problems (or vomiting). After a short layover, we flew to Amsterdam. The kids slept the majority of the way. I even got to watch a few movies without interruption. Unfortunately I only got 20 mins of sleep (I had two kids sleeping on my lap). We collected our baggage and got to our taxi with no problems at all. As of now we are completely unpacked with only 2 loads of laundry needing done. Our sleep schedule is slightly off, but I think we will all be fine as of tomorrow.

On Monday, it will be back to "normal". Back to school for the kids and back on the bike for me. (I need it after eating all that food in the States.) We have a few visitors planned for the Spring time, then we will be flying home again in the Summer. Thank you to all or friends and family that made our visit so special.