home is where the heart is

I had the best trip home! It went by way too fast, but I am so grateful that I was able to spend 7 days with my family and friends in Southern Illinois. Ethan and I bonded, and I have to say he is absolutely perfect. Such a sweet baby boy. I miss him already!! It's funny and heartwarming to see Nat & Dave as parents. They are doing such a great job. I took some great pictures of him while I was home. He loves his Aunt Syd.

Ethan Joseph Fry

After fighting and recovering from what I think was pneumonia (I slept the first 2 days I was home until I fully recovered and was able to see the baby), I had dinner & drinks with "Cousin Kate" (Kate Nelson) in Carbondale. It was so good to catch up with her! We chatted over a bottle of wine and a steak dinner at Global Gourmet. Later that night, I headed back to Harrisburg to hit up a short road trip with Maegan, Larra, Tyler, and Grady. We got home just before a heavy spring thunderstorm (which I loved!).

Kate & I

Grady & I

The next day, Nicole drove down from St. Louis to spend the night in So. Ill with me. She is such a good friend! I feel so lucky that we have become such good friends. She makes an excellent travel buddy (we are heading to Corpus Christi at the end of June). We hung out with the Harrisburg crew that night, did the usual road trip, and fell asleep trying to watch Benjamin Button. The next day we witnessed the INLAND HURRICANE OF 09'. I got a little bit of it on video, but the video doesn't do it justice & really isn't even that great. Marion was destroyed (seriously looked like a hurricane hit) and Nat and Dave came to live with us for the next 3 days because power is still out in Marion (It worked out nicely though because I got to spend more time with them). We didn't have power for about 12 hours at the house in Harrisburg, but luckily we didn't get hit as hard as Marion did. Pretty sure they are STILL without power in some parts. Here's the clip I got of some of the 100mph wind gusts. We met up with the Gaskins, Maegan, & Hayley at the elks for catfish and beer that night. Gotta love going to the Elk's on a Friday night with some of your favorite people...there's nothing better!

Inland Hurricane 09': View from the Gardner House

Maegan & Hayley

Darlene & Mom

Grady & I

We had a Mother's Day celebration at my house which was nice. We grilled out, sat by the pool, and enjoyed each other's company. I am so grateful and lucky to have such a wonderful (and gorgeous) mother and grandmother!! I also got to meet my new cousin, Kamdyn - who is sweet as ever! His red hair is so adorable and he smiles so much! I got some good pics of him too. Destiny & Kory are doing well & are doing a great job at parenting. It's funny seeing Kory as a dad. His comment's are hilarious...

Kamdyn Ray Stricklin

My trip home was short but sweet. I enjoyed seeing my family and friends. Home truly is where the heart is. I have the best family ever! I miss everyone so much already!! I'm back in LA and headed into work tonight. Hopefully I will get back on my normal schedule soon! My sleep schedule is a little whacked out right now with the 2 hour time difference and being awake during the day. I am getting back into my normal routine for the next 3 weeks and just gonna take it easy. I feel like I haven't worked in forever...I was in Vegas, then got sick, and then went home. I love my job schedule though! I cannot complain a bit ;) I'll be visiting St.Louie in 3 weeks for my friend Linsday's birthday. Can't wait to head back to the ol' stomping ground!