"It's the freakin weekend...

baby I'm about to have me some fun"

Any R. Kelly fans out there?  Ok, me either but I always get that line stuck in my head when I have a really great weekend.  This past weekend would be one of those.  I cannot stop singing that song!  I am amazed at how much I have squeezed into my time here.

I was a little sad on Friday because I was missing things back in Japan.  My husband was in a grappling tournament and although he didn't do very well, I still would have liked to have been there.  Luckily I have some awesome friends who sent me lots of photos including this one of him on top of some dude

Friday night was the holiday ball and almost everyone I know and love at CZ was there so I was really bummed to miss it.  Again, my friends are awesome and took photos for me!

Saturday, I went shopping with my sister then had lunch with my friend Caitlyn {photo FAIL}.  After that my BFF cut my hair and styled it all pretty for a wedding I was going to

Beth and I met when I dated her best friend back in HS.  Neither of our relationships with the guy lasted but our friendship has.  I'm not sure either one of us would have survived HS/College without each other.  I am so so SO glad I was able to be in town for her wedding!

It was GREAT to catch up with friends I haven't seen in years.  LOVE you AndyJ!

KSteel, I miss you more than you know! 

Sunday I got to attend church at my "home" church and it was WONDERFUL!  I love that church and the family that comes with it.  One of my most favorite people in the world drove down from Columbus to attend church and have lunch with me {photo FAIL #2.  Rebecca, how did we let that happen!!??!} After lunch I did a little shopping then had dinner #1{it's all about the food when I'm in town} with my cousin.  She lives in Cali and it is very rare that our time in Cincinnati overlaps.  This trip we had about 24 hours where we were both in town so we made time to see each other and I'm so glad we did.

From there I was off to dinner #2 with 3 of my 6 bridesmaids from our wedding.  Again, it was great to catch up with them.  I hate that we don't get to do things together more often.  I LOVE these girls!

{better photo coming soon}

Monday {I know that's not the weekend but it's my blog and I want to keep going} we went shopping for the BM dress we will wear in my brothers wedding in June.  We had to drive all over town to find the dress in the size I wanted but I really have no time for alterations since I won't be home again until just before the wedding so I wanted to be SURE it would fit.  Once we found it {these aren't the color}, it did fit perfectly but I cannot afford to gain a single pound between now and then!  It's a good thing I'm going to attempt the C25K again once I get back to Japan.

Between stops at David's Bridal, we stopped for dinner and this is how my wings were served to me.  In an egg carton, I loved it!

Yesterday, I found myself eating at chatting some more. 

 I had lunch with my buddy Steve.  He was stationed in Japan many years ago so it was good to get to share stories.

And dinner with Heather

 {I'm getting better at the "take a photo with everyone I see" thing}

Today I have lunch and dinner plans again then I get to go to a HOCKEY game and immediately following the game I'll pick Jason up from the airport!  It's going to be another great day!  The rest of our time here is pretty much dedicated to family and is going to be crazy busy so I probably won't post again before Christmas.  If that is the case, I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!