Home for the Holidays!

        So after a wonderful first semester in Leuven, I was ready to get some family time! We were supposed to head home December 22nd, but after the imminent threat of the Belgian air-spaces shutting down and us being stuck here until the new year, we decided to hop on a flight as day earlier. Luckily, we beat the threat of the strike and were home in time for Christmas! I was beyond thrilled when my dad and Ciara were there to pick me up at the airport. I got back to NHP in time to get Colleen from school at 3 o'clock, and by that evening, James and my mom were home from as well and we were all together again! Ciara, Colleen, and I made a trip to see Peter Pan in New York City the night I came home..needless to say I was struggling by the second act since it was almost 4am Belgian time. Jet-lag really hit me hard back in the states!

My favorite people!

         Most of my break consisted of spending time at home and soaking up the little things that I had missed for the previous four months..refridergated milk, free plastic bags at the grocery store, and oh yeah MY FAMILY! On Christmas Eve we all went to mass together and than went back to hang out with some more of the Downings, its was really the best Christmas a girl could ask for! On Christmas Day we headed to Granny's in Woodside where everyone managed to make it this year! We even have the picture to prove it...

What a good lookin' group!

       After Christmas, I went to a bunch of James' and Colleen's basketball games, that is one thing I really miss being away! I am sometimes lucky enough to stream Ciara's games live through the Hopkins sight if I dare to stay away through the wee hours of the morning! Ciara headed to California for a New Year's tournament with her team, so myself, Mom, and Col made the trek to Baltimore to see her off. We spent two nights down there and I was so glad to be able to be in Baltimore again. New Year's was fun, it was great spending it at home with the people I love. I really appreciated every moment of the break.

My Fave Ballers

Ciara getting ready for practice!

J-boi warming up! #madhops

Don't let her size fool you, this girl's got game!

         So aside from the basketball, I also got to squeeze in some quality cousin bonding. Although not everyone could make it, Shannon, Joanne, and myself to the ferry up to CT to meet up with Allie and Christie. We were delighted to see a breathtaking sunset on the boat...

What a wonderful world!

   
         So as my short, but sweet trip home winded down, I prepared to head back to Leuven to take my final exams. I had two weeks of studying, and than I was setting out on the adventure of a lifetime around Europe. There are so many more adventures ahead!