After traveling for four months it has been different and quite nice to get used to staying in the same place and being surrounded by somewhat familiar things.

We got back to the States on the 20th of December and spent a week in Chicago with Sarah's parents. After sweating while reading in the shade in Cambodia the weather in Chicago was quite a shocker. But we had a great time

We caught up with family, did a little touring in Chicago and even had time to catch Julius Ceasar on Navy Pier at the Shakespeare Theatre. It was a great time.

Then we were off to LA, where Dan's parents live. Again it was time for a climate change but this one was a lot easier to take. Sunny and warm. Almost everyday. We love it. We are staying in LA for three months so things have been pretty low key and not rushed at all.

Some of the most interesting things we have done so far have been going to the Rose Bowl Parade and going to the Huntington Gardens. Both were spectacular.

Now things have settled down into a routine and while we don't have regular jobs to keep us busy we have a lot of "projects" that are taking our time and we are enjoying.