There's No Place Like Home...

Technically, I know that home is here in PA but since I spent so much of my life out in AZ, it holds a special place in my heart. I think we are fortunate enough to get to spend the holidays there this year and definitely look forward to the week long trip as that is the longest I've been able to visit since I left three years ago (next week).

Here are my top 3 favorite things about visiting (in no particular order)...

1) Being able to share with John my personal trips down memory lane from restaurants to shops, my old hang outs, etc. I think it gives him a better understanding of me each time and I love knowing how to get places that he doesn't for once!

2) Getting the chance to see and hang out with good friends. My pal Vanessa and her husband Jared will be relocating to Seattle next month and she is my last close friend left living in Arizona. I'm so looking forward to having dinner with them one last time in our old stomping grounds. We also get to meet Adrienne and Sam for lunch which is another special treat considering they live in Maryland but will also be out west visiting family. Can't wait for Mexican food!

3) My family. I come from a large extended family on both sides but my mom's side has always been very important to me since I spent the majority of my life with them! Christmas Eve dinner at my Aunt Patti's is a great memory and an event I look forward to as I get to see everyone all together, especially extra time spent with my Grandmother who is very special to me. I love that my parents, siblings Matt, Danny and Amy, will all be together on Christmas morning. These types of things are rare as we get older so I will be sure to cherish the time when there.

I'd say the only negative about an AZ Christmas is having to leave our dog Duke at home. He will be spending this time on vacation at the Holiday House Pet Resort in Chalfont. I know he is well looked after there and always jumps right out of the car and into their doors when we drop him off! Still, I'll be missing him...

I'll try to write when away but just in case Happy Holidays everyone!