Home for Christmas...
This one's for my friends on the other side of the pond
I landed in Connecticut on December 21st and saw my family for the first time since June 1. I had a wonderful Christmas and have spent my first week home visiting with family and friends, and I've been DRIVING!! A month without trams or buses- absolutely fabulous.

Fresh Colebrook air- for everyone in Mannheim, I went outside first thing Friday morning and breathed in the wonderful non-industrial air of northwest CT :)
I also enjoyed the space, the trees, and the all-around lack of people.

My second night home after I broke down and bought some Paulaner hefe weizen. Tasted like 'home.' My mom said she didn't like it, but I think there's still hope for her...

The ladies and I got together at Robin's my second night home. This is Beth and Jess in Robin's dining room. We had some good laughs, it was great to everyone again...

Robin (on the right) and Jill, who was home from Colorado. I got to Robin's a little late- well, it wasn't really that late I think they just started pretty early :)

LOLA!! My sweet little cockatiel. She was very happy to see me...

Christmas Eve! My favorite night. My dad's side of the family all get together every year at my grandparent's house.

My brothers, Travis on the left and Cody in the middle, and our cousin Andrew. I love my grandparent's kitchen- it's always where everyone ends up congregating

My mom and grandpa..

Me and Cody- I missed my brothers SO much.

So, after a week at home I'm doing pretty well. I hope everyone had a great holiday, and I can't wait to get together again in Deutschland! Bis dann..

Jessica, this post is dedicated to you :)
Jess pointed out that I, like a total tool, never posted pictures of her trip to Europe in August. She actually left Amsterdam to visit me in Mannheim for a couple of nights. We went to Heidelberg and Baden-Baden...

Here she is, in Amsterdam

Us in downtown Mannheim, right after I met her at the train station with a beer. I had to give her a proper German welcome!

Avi and Jess at a cafe in Baden-Baden

This one is also in Baden-Baden.
Unfortunately, most of the pictures from her visit were taken with her camera (like the pictures of us drinking wine on Heidelberg Castle) and I don't have them. But I wanted to share with everyone that Jessica did make it to Europe for a visit. Love ya Jess :)