My 31st Birthday!

I cannot believe I've already gone through my first year in my thirties!  A year ago, Dave and I were celebrating my 30th birthday in Venice, Rome, Florance and Chianti, Italy, enjoying ourselves and expecting our first child together.  A year later, we are all moved back to the States and are enjoying our growing family with our little Anna.  What a difference a year makes!  This birthday was quiet and just the three of us - just what I wanted.  Dave came home from work with a card and some wine, then said he forgot something in the car.  I didn't think anything of it.  Then, the door opened and he came in with a huge grin on his face and these beautiful flowers!  I am a lucky girl!  

It was a really nice evening and being that we are a five minutes walk to Broad Ripple and the fact that I have been deprived of Mexican food while living in England, we walked down to La Piedad and ate dinner outside, then stopped at BRICS on the Monon for some amazing ice cream!  Perfect night and just what I wanted.  Thanks to my sweeties!

Saying Good-Bye to Mickleover

Our final good-byes to our home for the past two years and our neighbors was tough.  A lot tougher than we thought it was going to be.  And to be honest it didn't really hit me until right before it was time to go.  We've been so busy packing and getting things coordinated that the moment when it all finally sunk in that we were really leaving was about five minutes before we drove away.  We met our close neighbor and good friend Mick for a final pint at our "local" (pub) - the Great Northern.  We saw some old neighbor friends and shared some laughs.  

Mick and Anna

Mick and Dave goofing around before their last hug

Our little family in front of our house, #57

Driving away into our last British sunset!

We decided to get a hotel at the Manchester Airport the night before our flight so we wouldn't have to rush around the morning of trying to drive an hour and a half there, return the rental car, check in, etc.  Once we got to the hotel, Anna fell asleep straight away!  Guess she wanted to get her rest for her first big flight!

Anna did so well on the 7 hour flight!  It didn't hurt we were in first class, but still!  She slept most of the way and because we had the beds that lay completely flat, she was able to snuggle right next to me the whole way!  At the end of the flight the stewardesses gave Dave and I a bottle of champagne to celebrate our homecoming (and I think to thank us for having such a good and quiet baby on the flight!)!

Enjoying breakfast in the US Airways Executive lounge!

Once we landed in Indy, we drove to our new house in Broad Ripple and arrived to my parents, Dave's parents and my sister and brother awaiting our arrival with our favorite pizza from Puccini's and wine and beer and decorations to celebrate!  There really is nothing better than family and being HOME!!!!!   

Poster my Mom made for us!

Better Halves Club Good-Bye Lunch

Like I said in my previous posting, the BHC has been a great support network for Anna and I and just a great excuse to get out of the house.  It's been so great getting to know everyone and I will miss seeing them every other week.  

As is now tradition, the BHC member who is moving back to the US always gets to pick his/her favorite restaurant for their last lunch.  I picked Hackwood Farms - it's a farm shop and restaurant located just behind our neighborhood.  Aside from it being all freshly made, it's also really delicious!

As promised in my last BHC posting, here are some pics of the group as well as pics from the lunch!

Kalle, Lori, me and Anna and Agnes and Andrew

Anna and "Billy"

Kalle, Anna and Andrew

The Group!  Jay, me and Anna, Agnes, Lori, Tracey and Andrew and new member Kelly

Thanks BHC for all the memories, good food and even better company!  Anna and I miss you!

Lunch with Lori and Agnes

Anna and I went to our last lunch with Lori and Agnes the other day and had a great time!  Lori's husband, Tim works for RR and Agnes' husband works for HP.  Lori and Tim are here from Indy for a three year assignment and Agnes and her husband are here from Fiji on a two year assignment.  They are the funniest two people I have ever met - they are like two peas in a pod - and I affectionately refer to them as Laverne and Shirley or Lucy and Ethel, but Laverne and Shirley just kind of stuck!  You are always guaranteed a great time with them!  And you laugh until your face hurts!  

We have grown close these past couple of months and I am so thankful and grateful for their friendship, support and advice.  They affectionately refer to themselves as Anna's Aunties.  I will miss them very much!  

Here are some pics from lunch - we went to a local Chinese restaurant - The Water Margin.  It was very good and my first and only time eating there - wish we had found it sooner! 

Agnes (aka Shirley) is on the left and Lori (aka Laverne) is on the right

They also brought Anna and I a going-away gift! 

They got Anna the Olympic rubber ducky and they got me/our family a Union Jack waterproof picnic blanket!  I love it!  Thank you so much girls!  Anna and I will miss our weekly excursions with you! 

Saying Good-Bye

As our time here comes to an end, I can't help but reflect over the past two years and be somewhat nostalgic.  I am so thankful for our time living over here in England.  We have seen some amazing places and done some amazing things and we were blessed with our little Anna.  So much to be thankful for that it's hard to sum it all up.  I wouldn't trade this experience for anything and feel that Dave and I have grown so much stronger as a couple and now as a family.  England will forever hold a very special place in our hearts and will always be the birthplace of Anna.

The fellow expats threw us a going-away party this past weekend at our favorite pub/restaurant - The Bull's Head.  The Schetzel's, the Frey's, the Seppanen's, the Hillstrom's, Glenn Kiser and the Henkle's all made it out!  I am so thankful for the friendships made and the support they provided us while we were here.  With our families and friends so far away, they stepped in and were like family to us.  As we move to the next chapter of our lives, we can't help but be excited for what is in store! 

Here are some pics from the party! 

The group!

Anna, hanging out!

Steve, Jay and Lori as we await our pizza

Dave's calzone!  It was huge!

And no meal would be complete without dessert!  Gelato anyone!?

Thank you again to all of our expat friends who supported us along the way!  We are thankful for all of the friendships and memories made while in England!  

USA - here we come!

Anna: 5 months old and we're moving home!

Anna is five months old - already!  I know I say this every month, but I really cannot believe how quickly the time has gone.  Milestones of note this month: Anna is smiling and laughing, "talking" and rolling over.  She is very alert and loves holding onto her toys and grabbing onto things (including my hair and earrings and a favorite of hers - Dad's nose!).  She is constantly rolling over onto her tummy and is a little wiggle worm.  She now weighs in at 12 pounds, 10 ounces and is outgrowing all her clothes! 

As many of you know, we are moving back to the States in less than a week!!!!!  Dave was back in Indy for interviews two weeks ago and while he was gone, Anna and I were busy packing up the house.  Anna has been a huge help - she was very patient with me while I got everything together and packed up and kept herself entertained for the most part.  I feel bad because all of her fun toys - her bouncy seat and her baby Einstein play mat are gone - so we have been trying to get creative for play time! 

We are excited to introduce Anna to the rest of our family and friends and for her to finally set foot on American soil in her new home - Indianapolis!  She may be British born, but our little UK souvenir will always be an American!  See you soon!