Home?

I went to put in a title for this entry and the obvious choice was Home.  But technically my home is here?  The older you get the more confused I become about where home is.  Whether I was in Salt Lake, Boston, and now Innsbruck I have always said home is my parents house in NH.   I haven't really lived there since high school, and I have had 3 of my own places to call home since then (minus private school and college) but, I guess when you have a lease it doesnt really feel like home.  So, I guess for me at least for now home will be Plymouth, NH until we buy my own house?  Or if we actually stay in once place for more then a year together that will be home?  Sounds practical...maybe a little too normal for us : ) Anyways...

My brother and his lovely girlfriend Aliza (one of my best friends...awkward? not really. convenient? yes) picked me up from the airport and brought me to their pad in Southie.  The first thing I did Thursday morning was get my hair done.  I highly recommend The Loft on Newbury...ask for Taylor. Must have been the newly added blonde to my hair because for some reason I decided to walk back to Southie which  took me 3 hours 2 of them were spent circling around the prudential center ...I DID dress appropriately so at least I didnt freeze my butt off.  A bunch of us met up at my favorite restaurant in Boston, Papagayos for some seriously needed mexican food!

 On Saturday night my family and brother from another mother Devin headed to the Boyle's Annual Christmas Party.  It was a blast...I wish I could have stayed longer but the jet-lag was definitely setting in!


My goal leaving Austria was not to buy anything while I was home and just bring back whatever I got for Christmas Presents...that lasted till Sunday.  Although my bag did come back 23 pounds lighter (still over 50lbs)
                                                


Two firsts happened on my vacation...first time seeing my mom eat fast food and I met Lillian Stoesser!

After a couple of these on Christmas Morning....

We were all ready to see what Santa brought us...and as always he did not disappoint...

Andrea got a ton of baby stuff!

We got our parents a new Ipad!

Mikes new watch from Aliza...who was struggling a bit from the keg 

My Aunt and Uncle hosted the Christmas Day festivities!

My Mom's birthday is the day after Christmas and although my dad spoils her rotten on a daily basis she does kind of get the shaft as far as birthday parties go...except for this year!  

35 never looked so good : )

 I think we all had a pretty good time to say the least!

Gary told her what she got for her Birthday....

Yes, my Mom got a hand gun for her birthday...she once got a purple camo rifle so this isnt that out of this world for her.  That's why I love her so much one day she can be relaxing at the spa or Euro jet setting and the next she is hoping on her Harley or Elk hunting in Colorado.  Definitely one of a kind! *

 We all threw together an amazing meal for Lisa.  Lobster, King Crab straight from Alaska, and Elk steak.  I have never laughed and danced that much in my entire life...the Ladd's definitely know how to have a good time!

Aunt Janet and Uncle Marshal from AK, Mom, Dad, and Nana

On Friday a well needed Spa day was planned out for 12 of us.  They actually closed down the entire spa just for our party.  I got a facial and my first pedicure.  What???? I know I am 26 years old and just got my first pedicure.  That's because I am deathly afraid of nail files,  but the girl was awesome and didnt even let me see one.  Loved the snowflake too.

A trip home cant be complete without a stop at Fugaky's...they have the best sushi ever...and who would have thought in Plymouth, NH!  Their Mai Tais are almost as famous,  and are pretty much deadly.  

 

 Time went by so fast while I was home! I am so grateful to have such amazing friends and family.   My Aunt Janet and Uncle Dave definitely added a huge amount of fun to the trip.  My cheeks are still sore from the amount of laughing I did while I was there. I wish I could have had more time to see everyone, but I promise those of you that I didnt see are first on my list when I get back (Minski and Meg)!  Huge thank you to my gracious parents  for flying me home and spoiling me at Christmas..it was everything I could have asked for.  I wish I could have packed everyone up and brought you here with me!  I will be seeing a few of you very soon over here though...

Throwback Thursday:

Me (obviously not thrilled), Mom, Brother, Sister, and Cousin Kaylea

* I apologize if  some people are offended by this picture.   I know that guns are a sensitive topic. I have been around guns all my life, so  I see it as a gift, and something to use at the shooting range.