We flew to the US for 2 1/2 weeks in July and had a wonderful time visiting family and friends. As it was our first time back in the US for nearly a year (except for Dave, who had been back for work a few times), we definitely noticed a lot of differences. 
Some nice things, and some things that made us appreciate Switzerland! I must say that the freeways in Los Angeles, 6 or 8 lanes wide in one direction and always packed with cars, 
was quite a shock compared to many of the streets in Switzerland which I would call 1 1/2 lanes wide for 2 directions (in the neighborhoods, you have to move way over to the side if someone is coming in the other direction).
We went shopping, which is so easy, plentiful and cheap in the US compared to Switzerland 
(I also did some online shopping before the trip and had everything shipped to my parents' house - more boxes than I care to mention...
thanks, Mom, for keeping all of them for me until we got there!). And, most importantly, we spent time visiting and relaxing with family 
(including fireworks on the 4th of July, swimming and fishing in LA, and riding the 4-wheeler, playing ping pong, and visiting friends in Utah).
This was the first time our parents and families had met Meredith. And Meredith even got to meet her new little cousin Natalie Michels.
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(I also did some online shopping before the trip and had everything shipped to my parents' house - more boxes than I care to mention...
thanks, Mom, for keeping all of them for me until we got there!). And, most importantly, we spent time visiting and relaxing with family 
(including fireworks on the 4th of July, swimming and fishing in LA, and riding the 4-wheeler, playing ping pong, and visiting friends in Utah).
This was the first time our parents and families had met Meredith. And Meredith even got to meet her new little cousin Natalie Michels.
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Our stop in the Bay Area was too short, 
but we were able to stay with our wonderful friends the Hiltons, who are the best hosts anyone could every imagine, and see friends from MVP, LP, and church. 
It really was gratifying to see our friends - you are all so kind and we miss you! We stopped by our house to see our renters, and they are very happy there (of course, it's a little strange to see someone else living in our house). 
Elise had 2 sleepovers in 3 nights, and was so sad to leave her friends in Moraga again. But, she's happy here too, 
and I think she really does understand and appreciate the fact that she can have a lot of friends everywhere! Even with the jetlag when we got back home, the trip was well worth it. What a blessing our families and friends are!
but we were able to stay with our wonderful friends the Hiltons, who are the best hosts anyone could every imagine, and see friends from MVP, LP, and church. 
It really was gratifying to see our friends - you are all so kind and we miss you! We stopped by our house to see our renters, and they are very happy there (of course, it's a little strange to see someone else living in our house). 
Elise had 2 sleepovers in 3 nights, and was so sad to leave her friends in Moraga again. But, she's happy here too, 
and I think she really does understand and appreciate the fact that she can have a lot of friends everywhere! Even with the jetlag when we got back home, the trip was well worth it. What a blessing our families and friends are! 
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