How often do you go "home" or see your family??

Before Josh I went back between 4 and 6 times a year for about 2 weeks each time.  Now it's more like 3 times, though now my parents come about 3 times a year and my sister once or twice a year.  I've been here for about 7 weeks now and coming back next Tuesday.  I plan to do this every summer till Josh goes to school.  And then we will come on his summer hols.

When Rich and I got married it was agreed that I would come back often.

I've been here for about 7 weeks now and coming back next Tuesday.  I plan to do this every summer till Josh goes to school.  And then we will come on his summer hols.

Hijack -
How is being without Rich?  I have been thinking that this would be a great arrangement (when I have kids), but that it would be hard to be away from hubby/baby's daddy for that long?

stacey - I just want to say that I am v.jealous of your trips, you probably know all the flight crews by now

no need to cut the cord karin!

i'm in a similiar boat in that i travel for work a lot and can usually swing a few visits to the us that way.  also, my parents (and little sisters) live near the US headquarters of the company i work work for so I don't have to use vacation days to see them.

2004 (move in June)- 1
2005- 4
2006-4
2007- 3 (thus far... probably another 1 or 2)

Me too - I average about 4 times a year and whenever I tell anyone that, they act like it's so decadent!   but my parents are in New York, so it's not a huge trip and easy to do a long weekend every now and again - Usually DH comes with me 2 of those 4 times.  We've been alternating Christmasses and Thanksgivings.

Hijack -
How is being without Rich?  I have been thinking that this would be a great arrangement (when I have kids), but that it would be hard to be away from hubby/baby's daddy for that long?

It was not to bad.  We talked all the time and skyped as well.  I had a lot of help from my parents so I liked that.  It's been great with Rich here the last week though

stacey - I just want to say that I am v.jealous of your trips, you probably know all the flight crews by now

   I really, really do!!!  Especially with Josh who is the Mayor anywhere he goes. 

I visit my dad and stepmom in the US about once a year, and visit my mom once every two or three years (while I'm in the US visiting my dad and stepmom). 

Haven't been back in over 5 years.

They come here!

I hope to be able to go back once or twice a year. I'd love once in the summer and once in the winter, alternating Christmas and Thanksgiving. I'd especially like to do that once we have kids. We'll see what happens though.

I hope to be able to go back once or twice a year. I'd love once in the summer and once in the winter, alternating Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Ooh, that's a fab idea.  I think I may steal that idea once we have kids...but alternating between Easter/summer hols for the first trip as well as Thanksgiving/Christmas for the second.

Ooh, that's a fab idea.  I think I may steal that idea once we have kids...but alternating between Easter/summer hols for the first trip as well as Thanksgiving/Christmas for the second.

Thanks! That sounds like a good idea, alternating between Easter and Summer. I might steal that  once we have kids! 

I came here as visitor in February utilizing my 6 months before applying to live here with my hubby. in May I got a horrible phone call and my father was due to meet my husband and I in London for 4 days but he had a heart attack while in on the island of scillay. He past and I unexpedidly had to go home and was there for almost 2-months.

It was awful but nice all at the same time because I was so home sick. I then flew back July 4 because that was the only opening. Now I must fly back Sept and do my application via post and probably will be there for over a month. The positive side is I will get a summer, I will get to go on a boat and go water skiing and have fun. I am so excited.

But once I get approved I know it will be a long time before I can afford to go back. I plan on trying to go back in the summer because there is no summer here. Stay for a month and then again hopefully after Christmas like February as the flights are cheaper and the weather is good in California. But it would be to just visit my friends as both my parents are now gone. Not much connections anymore. The thought of not being able to go back at least once a year is horrifying to me.

I am racking up a lot of miles though. The trips are becoming more enjoyable now that I am use to all the airports. I like hot weather, so 90 degrees is wonderful for me. The idea of not being able to go swimming in summer is sad for me here as it never warm enough. My husband has no family here nor do I. His family lives in Holland which is not too far. But my home will always be California and someday I hope to return.

The only way we wouldn't is if we make friends here and make this our home but so far none of that has happened yet. for those who are able to go home more than twice a year that is fantastic....

I go back every 2 years, but now realise I will have to increase this to once a year. My dad is not getting any younger and he refuses to come here, even with the lure of grandchildren.  It's a bit frustrating as he's retired and minted, and i'm neither but still I have to go.......

It's a bit frustrating as he's retired and minted, and i'm neither but still I have to go.......

I have the same issue. 

I have the same issue. 

LOVE that photo of Phil.... i've seen it before... (He is still yummy but in a middle aged kind of way.. )

Yes.... still yummy!