So good to be back in the 802!After 5 a day journey, many canceled flights, untold expenses, and a few tears, THIS was a beautiful sight!
Firstly, sorry it’s been so long since our last post. For those of you still tuning in, you’ll most likely remember our intense, emotional journey to get home from China. Check out the video Alison made (in the previous post) for more info on how we got home.
While COVID continues to change the landscape of the world and society as we know it, we made the best of our time back home. Sure, we quarantined ourselves twice (once upon arrival back from China and once more after we made a quick day trip to NYC for our new work visas), got 3 COVID tests (yep, the brain-tickler kind), and found many of our favorite restaurants, bars, and hangouts changing with the times, we made the best of it and had an amazing summer.
Seeing friends and family was incredibly special. We cooked, shared, and ate some amazing food, played games, sang songs, talked well into many nights, and made some great new memories with familiar faces. Plus, the downtime during our different quarantines gave us an opportunity to reconnect with our families, many of whom hadn’t actually seen us in years.
Below are just some of the highlights from our summer back home in the 802.
Just a lil hike up Mt. Philo for a gorgeous view of Lake Champlain.Surprise pit stop while running errands. The most epic of fishing trips with Alison’s father, Dave.Dave’s secret fishing spot. I’m currently taking bribes for the details about the location 😉Alison made a new friend.Biggest catch of the day while fishing with Franky and Kris.Beautiful day on my buddy Franky’s boat.We organized a “Christmas in July” holiday so we could give our families the gifts we’ve been collecting for the past two years. So nice to get everyone together after so long!Cam singing happy birthday to Alison with so much enthusiasm it pains her.If you’re cooking Italian and you’re NOT using San Marzano tomatoes I’m not sure we can be friends.A nice day for a walk through Hubbard Park in Montpelier.The Gauthier Gals take a lake day.Shanti and Boo holding down the chair so Alison can read at Grant’s parents in Georgia, VT.Waterbury Reservoir Old School highlights from camping at Stillwater Camp in Groton State Forest.Sunset hike up Owl’s Head in Groton State Forest.Cindy’s birthday dinner celebration.Taking Laura and Glenn (AKA Glennard) out on the Ethan Allen dinner cruise for Laura’s birthday.Dinner Cruise on Lake Champlain.Oh Vermont…you so pretty…Sarah and Cam are always down for a snuggle.My little pal this summer, Shanti, the keeper of balls and protector from squirrels. Always on guard, never off duty. Stay frosty Shanti. Maybe one day you’ll get one of those crafty tree rats.My favorite road in Vermont. I love driving around this state.“What’s a selfie, precious?”I’m forever grateful and blown away by how thoughtful Alison is. She organized a whole Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles birthday party for me (cause at 36 who doesn’t want a turtles party?) and even had her friend Chelsea and husband Chris bring their wood-fire pizza oven over and cook great pizza for everyone! Thanks so much Ali. I love you. This was the best birthday ever!Classic summer dinner with the Gunthers. So nice to be home for a while.Coming back to VT after two years away really gives you a new perspective on the place you call home. The bucolic setting, long country roads, lovely people, and maple creamees will be in our hearts forever.
To everyone who gave us a place to stay, cooked us a meal, invited us over, listened to our stories, or just showed up to hangout…from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Even though we may be far away for much of the time, we take you all with us everywhere we go. You are wonderful. You are beautiful. And we love each and everyone of you. Thank you for being part of our life’s journey. It truly wouldn’t be the same without you all. Until we see each other again soon!
“May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know it’s beauty all the days of your life.” -Apache Blessing
UPDATE: We have safely arrived at our new home in Sofia, Bulgaria! We will be posting soon about the city, our new school, and our first impressions of this beautiful place. Stay tuned!
Outside the main entrance to our new school, The American College of Sofia.
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