We had a great time with friends and family back in the US. The kids and I had over 3 weeks there. We got our fix of American food and goods. Our suitcases were not the only things weighing us down on the way home. After the nearly 24 hour trip back to Finland and the 8 hour time change, we are getting re acclimated to life here. We came back to find a lot of snow on the ground and it has snowed almost every day since. When the sun makes its fleeting and rare appearance, it is really quite beautiful. One day soon I hope to have my camera handy so I can get a picture. The temperatures have not been too cold yet-upper 20's. Like most Fins, we have not let the cold or snow stop us from getting outside. I still go for my runs on snow packed paths. We took the kids sledding last weekend and look forward to trying out cross country skiing this week.
Winter photos to come soon. In the meantime, enjoy the scrapbook I made for my father-in-law of some of the travels we were able to take him on this past fall. I gave this to him for Christmas.