An Indiana Christmas

Happy New Year to you all!  :) 

We have just returned from Indiana and our visit back for Christmas.  We had a wonderful Christmas with my family but missed being with Matthew's family during this time as well.  We had a very busy ten days visiting with friends and family.  Here is a walk through of our trip and some pictures to go with.  Sorry if we weren't able to see you this trip...hopefully next time.

First we were SO lucky to make it to Indiana due to snow in London.  Heathrow was closed for Saturday and Sunday and we were due to fly out Monday.  Online it said our flight was still on but upon arriving at the airport we learned our flight was cancelled.  About an hour after arrival and waiting in line we heard our flight announced overhead and told to check in immediately.  After the crew were delayed over three hours due to traffic, and after de-icing the plane we finally took off three hours later than planned.  I was not going to complain as we took off and not many flights did, so we were very lucky.  We flew to Detroit and landed at 3pm with our flight to Indy due to leave at 3:30pm.  By the time I got through passport control and got our bags it was 3:25pm.  Then I saw Matt going to the back room with immigration and I knew all hope was lost for making our flight.  Matt spent 1 hour 30minutes in immigration due to turning in his expired green card.  Finally around 5pm we made it to a Delta desk to find out our 3:30pm flight had been cancelled and we had been booked on the 5:30pm flight.  It was amazing to find this out and we arrived safely in Indianapolis only two hours later than scheduled. It was a super long day but overall it went well.

De-icing the plane in Heathrow

Tuesday was spent visiting with my parents in Terre Haute and shopping.  Wednesday we travelled to Avon to visit with my nephew Connor and celebrate his first birthday.  Then we went to visit my grandma in Greenwood and ended the day with dinner at a friend's house and games with my brother and sister-in-law.  Thursday we travelled to southern Indiana to visit with three different couples from that area and then drove back to Terre Haute late evening.  It was a busy few days but good to visit with different family and friends. 

Bathtime for Connor

Friday morning (Christmas Eve) I helped mom cook food for Christmas day and then a relaxing afternoon followed by a church service in the evening.  Christmas Day was lovely.  We had breakfast pizza and waited for the rest of the family.  About noon everyone else arrived.  This is Connor's first Christmas (he was three days old for the last one) and it was interesting how a baby in the family changes a family get together...it all revolves around them.  After eating, opening gifts, and then dessert, we spend time just talking and playing with Connor for an hour.  It felt like a different Christmas than previous ones but it was a good different.  No Christmas from this point on will be like the old times.  Sunday we travelled to Indianapolis and had Christmas with the Johnson side of the family.  This was really enjoyable as I saw family members that I haven't seen in almost three years.  It was a good visit and good food.  We spent the evening playing games with my brother and sister-in-law.

Matthew with Connor on Christmas Day

Johnson Family Christmas

Monday and Tuesday were spent visiting other friends in the Indianapolis area.  It was really nice when Matthew got to visit with a dozen or so youth from Old Bethel by bowling.  It was just so nice visiting everyone and getting to see so many friends.  Tuesday evening to Thursday morning was time with my parents in Terre Haute.  Thursday afternoon was the beginning of our long journey back to the UK and everything went smooth.  It made New Year's Eve a VERY long day and I'm sad to say that we did not make it to midnight to ring in the New Year.  It was great to see everyone and I'm looking forward to our next trip back already.  I loved seeing Connor and getting to be there for his first birthday.  Our friend Barb finished the college quilt that she was making for me.  She used all my old college shirts and put it together...it looks fabulous.  Thanks Barb....pictures of it to come soon!! :)  What a wonderful trip and Christmas with family!

Matthew bowling with the youth

Last morning with Connor before our return flight to the UK

I hope that 2011 brings you much happiness.  We have an exciting year ahead.  I have a job from January to July as a Year 4 (third grade) teacher.  I am hoping to get my English teaching license during this job post and start driving lessons to get my UK driver's license.  My parents are visiting in August and who knows if other visitors may come(hint, hint)?  Matthew will begin official ministry this year.  His ordination ceremony is scheduled for February 5th where he will become the minister of the presbyterian church in Bury St Edmunds.  The rest of his year will be spent working as minister with a few things already in the works.  I hope 2011 will be an exciting year and I look forward to see what it holds for us.  May God bless you in the coming year!