USA: Part 2

After being away from the US for a year I was expecting to go through some type of culture shock upon our return home. Certainly my eyes would be open to all things American, right?

Nope.

Walking out of the airport felt like I had never left the good old U. S. of A. It was wonderful to be on home turf, and to be able to adequately communicate in public for the first time in a year. The only truly shocking moments occurred when we stumbled upon our daughter dressed up like this (might I note that she looks equally horrified)...

Also when we found Afton surrounded by all of her girl cousins and their American Girl dolls...

She actually looks pretty darn pleased with her luck in this time, doesn't she?

The two pictures above were taken at our Willis family reunion in Wheeling, West Virginia. Why West Virginia? Because it is the home of Ogelbay- a fantastic family resort filled with golfing, swimming, hiking, horse back riding, a nature center, zoo, train and trolley rides, and lodging large enough to fit all 27 of us.

The best part (as my sister in law pointed out) was that our year long absence seemed to have no affect in the kids. The boys ran to their cousins with open arms, while Afton reveled in the position of the youngest girl with 8 older girl cousins doting on her.

The kids also got to experience plenty of animals-

While most of my animal watching took place from the comfort of a park bench-



There was plenty of golf-



train rides-

and enough memories to tide us over until we see our families again.