There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Ack...2008 is techncially over as I write this entry, but I've gotta document the last great thing of the year, which was spending the holidays with my family in Ohio and New York. I was lucky enough to be able to spend THREE weeks at home this year and during that time I visited my cousin, Sarah, and her husband, Doug, in Illinois (which was by accident and due to a cancelled flight in Chicago); attend both the Oberhauser and Damschroder Christmas gatherings; spend lots of time hanging out with my immediate family; visit local friends like the Allisons and Britt (who is local when I'm local!); and ski and relax at my cabin in New York with my dad and brother.

Me, Doug, and Sarah at their house in Crest Hill, IL.
Grammy & the Oberhauser cousins.

The Damschroder clan on Christmas day.

Me, Matthew, Mom, Anna, and Dad after church on Christmas Eve.

Matt & me at Peek n' Peak Ski Resort in New York.

I leave 2008 feeling that yes, indeed, it has been great--because I have been so very, very blessed. I am so often overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing people in my life--my Mom, Dad, sister, and brother; my WONDERFUL girlfriends all across the world; and my fun and funny coworkers. With all the economic woes of 2008, I was strongly reminded that it is people, not things or money, that truly do bring happiness to our lives.