It's good to be home for the holidays

It is Sunday and we are halfway through our trip to SD for Christmas. It has been full of ups and downs. Hopefully we have more ups to come.

Sophie struggled with a slight cold when we boarded the plane from Louisville early Wednesday morning, but by Friday she was frighteningly lethargic, refusing and unable to look at us in the eye for very long and sleeping constantly. After an antibiotic, negative pneumonia test, and sleeping for 20 out of 24 hours, our little bird woke up quite nearly herself. Oh, we are grateful. She still has moments of just crying and we know she hurts... her head, her throat... as she fights off what remains of this nasty cold.

Even with the downs of having a sick little girl, our trip home has been fun.

My brother, Jeremy, and his wife, Stacey, and daughter, Ella, recently moved in to a new, beautiful house with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and huge rooms. We enjoyed a lovely dinner party at their house Friday night with their friends. Wine, cider, delicious food and great conversation reigned and we had a wonderful time.

Saturday noon, Grandma had us over for potato soup and when we got back, Sophie played and played with her Grandpa Tim. I will post the video of her discovering that lego's COME APART when I can.

That evening, the whole family went to a wonderful party at the home of Rick and Barb, parents of my oldest, and first, friend, Adam. The wine and cheese spread, along with Ouzo and Bourbon, made for a wonderfully fulfilling and rich evening. Growing up, I spent many a day in that house and, though it has changed in the 15 years since, its warmth and good energy is still very present and Barb and Rick are as welcoming as ever. They had the kind foresight to invite the friends Adam and I grew up with, and others we hadn’t seen in ages. Mom took Sophie home to bed so Roy and I could spend another hour or two, catching up. We have made plans to continue the conversations tonight and local haunt, Bake’s, and I am so looking forward to it.

We had a big dinner today, complete with crackers that contained musical instruments and crowns. Here dad and Roy are serenading Grandma with a flute and harmonica.

So with 4 more days in Freeman, I expect we'll just have more fun, more wine, and laughter. Fingers crossed for Sophie's continued recovery and the opportunity for Grandma Bix and Grandpa Tim to enjoy a healthy granddaughter.