I took 532 pictures in the last week

Here are some of the highlights from the annual trip home to Wisconsin. In the last nine days, I saw an amazing concert, attended a professional sporting event, caught up with a friend I hadn't seen in a few years, spent two days in Madison, spent three days in Stevens Point, ate at supper clubs, had a fish fry, attended two baby showers and saw my brother and sister-in-law from Seattle. It was a busy nine days. And then we came home and Kim and Jared made us dinner and I got to catch up with Ben, who is now learning to drive. Ok...not really. But he is smiling for real and his strength is growing.

Here are some of the photo highlights.


Willy with the windblown look...


Robyn and I enjoyed beer and cherries before the Coldplay concert at Alpine Valley.


Robyn at the soccer game.


Robyn, her dad and Willy on the Gator for a tour of the farm.


Joe and Robyn enjoying some backyard time before the Fish Fry.


Baby shower #1. Lots of women celebrating Crystal's baby-to-be.


The Smits family gathering for Matthew and Heather's shower. You can almost tell that Heather is expecting.


Tommy wanting to get in on the fun, being squirmy in Matthew's arms.

I think I feel this way everytime I return home from a trip to Wisconsin. I like my life here. I'm excited for what the future brings but I really wish I was closer to my family. I wish we could do dinner once a month and have that be the norm, not the exception. I wish that I lived where there are rolling hills and lots of pine trees.

*sigh*

It is good to be home...really it is. But I think this trip, more than most, really hit home that I want to be where family is. And ultimately, that's what "home" means to me.