All our bags are packed...

I keep hearing from people that they like to read our blog, I realized that I haven't updated it in quite a while. Thanks for sticking with us!
Our last minutes in the states are ticking away as we wait at Logan airport for our flight on Toronto and then on to Beijing. We have gotten very good and getting our luggage to exactly 50 pounds (the airline weight limit) so that we can take back as some of the things we can't get in China. It is a strange feeling to run a last minute errand to purchase something with a little made in China sticker on the back, but we have found that even if it is made there it isn't always easy to find!
A mixture of excitement, tiredness and caffeine seem to be running though blood stream. It is amazing how fast 3 months goes by. We have been all over the country this trip, and while I am grateful for the time we got with so many friends, I am really glad that our suitcases will be all unpacked and back in our closet in 24 hours (okay it might take me a day or two to get them in the closet, but you know what I mean)

A few highlights from our trip:
-Celebrating our niece's 2nd birthday. We had a very fun farm party that my sister put together. I was privileged to make her cake. First time I have made frosting mud and pigs :)
-Celebrating Christmas on both coasts with our families.
-Catching up with friends in Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, Iowa, and Nebraska! It was great to see so many of you in person!
-Chocolate factory tour with Devin's Family with lots of samples :) It is good to bring a little Riihimaki culture to the Ryan household.
-Two weeks spent at our friends beautiful beach house on the Oregon Coast! Thanks Posegates for your generosity!
-Worshiping in 5 Churches, such an encouragement to be a part of the Body.
-I FINALLY TOOK MEGABUS!!!
-A wonderful conference in Florida for some training and rest. (Plus, an alligator outside of our room)
-Celebrating our second anniversary with a Rose bowl win by the Oregon Ducks. And it's about time!!
-Lots of game playing with friends and family.

And many more than I can count! Thanks for the fun and fellowship. See you next time.