Welcome Home! Congratulations! Farewell!

We arrived in Omaha dirty, hungry, exhausted, jetlagged, confused, and maybe a little crabby. It was a whirlwind trip from Furano to Sapporo (bus) to Chitose (train) to Taipei (plane), around Taipei (feet, bus, train), to LAX to Denver to Omaha (plane) to shower. And the next day we had a party for 40 people! The party welcomed our return to the USA, celebrated our 30th birthdays, congratulated us on engagement, congratulated Nick on getting into law school, and bid us farewell in our move to Minnesota. I guess you could say that it was an exciting month.

One part of the excitement was that Nick's brother and sister-in law drove all the way from Madison to celebrate with us that weekend. Hooray and thanks!


Our party was decorated with international coins from our travels, and art from our students.

My mom planned a wonderful theme for requested housewarming gifts. Most people brought one or two small grocery items to stock our kitchen: spices, salt, flour, oil, etc. We are so grateful to have received such USEFUL and thoughtful gifts.

My dear friend Ellie helped set up, as well as another friend Elaine.

Lots of family members came.

And more family and friends.

Rich gave a great toast. We also celebrated Ben & Kat's first year of marriage, and the soon-to-be marriage of Chris & Melisa!

I love this photo of us and Moms.

Ray (like another brother to me) and Mom and Chris relived old stories.

Family: Linda, Melisa, Mary, Teresa, LaVonne, and Hailey


Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate!