During my travels in the midwest, many of you told me I should update my blog with what I’m doing stateside. Here goes:

Arrival in the US:  spent a good share of time in Airport Limbo. 
Time spent in WY:  hung out with the family, cooked/baked up a storm (I think I might have missed it a little), purchased a new camera, camped in the mountains. (I also missed this!)
Traveled to SD:  stayed with my godparents, Chris and Linda Schumacher, for a couple days.  Geocaching with Chris and some much needed pinochle time, too!
Traveled to WI:  stayed with friends, Paul and Meghan Kuckhahn (and little T).  Had a great time catching up, being introduced to JW, losing at Clue, and just hanging out.
More WI:  stayed with friends, Collin and Sarah Mayer (K and E, too!).  Had some much needed geek-out-music-app time and enjoyed delicious margaritas. (It was right around this time that I lost the AC in my car…conveniently, this was the hottest week in WI to date…and, yes, adding refrigerant to your own car is considered illegal in this state.  Good thing Iowa understands my pain.
N. WI:  stayed with friends, Sam and Darla Smith (with Rob and Lexie there too).  Saw HP7 pt. 2 for the first time! Loved it!
More N. WI:  stayed with friends, Dane and Joanne Mattes (C and H, too).  Great to catch up with these dear college friends. Saw HP7 pt. 2 for the 2nd time! 🙂 Loved it again!
More N. WI:  more quality time spent with my niece and nephew, cooking, swimming, Wii dancing and other fun stuff.  Miss them already.
Back to S. WI:  visited other friends in the area, played trumpet for the synod convention opening service, general relaxation while visiting dearly missed people.  I was able to attend a concert given by some of my lovely Chinese students in the Milwaukee area.  It was great to see them and definitely re-energized me for China. 🙂
Traveled to IA:  stayed with friends, Craig and Gretchen Fiemeyer (A too).  Fixed my car’s AC (because it’s not illegal in Iowa).  Loved the catch up time with these guys!
Traveled to KS in sweet cold bliss:  and this is where I am as I update.  I’m staying with my awesome brother, Marc.  We’re enjoying some good food and some crazy hot weather. (It was 111 yesterday.)  We are going to see HP7 pt. 2 at 3D IMAX tonight! (yes, this will be the third time!) 

Below are some pics from the summer so far. Enjoy!

At the 4th of July Parade in Gillette. It was fun to be in the US for the 4th this year.

Just a bit of the baking that I did while staying at my parent's house. Everyone loved these monster cookies.

More baking. Red velvet cake with homemade whipped cream, blueberries and strawberries. They liked this one too! 🙂

Meadowlark Lake in the Bighorn Mountains.

On our way to the trailhead we saw this guy. He didn't seem afraid. 🙂

Part of the trail. Beautiful.

Not-so-little-B. What a handsome guy!

Beautiful T. 🙂 She makes me smile!

I didn’t take too many pictures while in Wisconsin.  My next update will come from China.  🙂  “See” you later.