Privyet, Mei Mei!: December 2011

Dec 31, 2011

Christmas Present, Christmas Past and on to a Happy New Year!

Before this Christmas season quickly becomes a Christmas Past, I wanted to journal a few memories from this year and last. We officially have been Texans for one year now. Last year on December 29th, our moving truck made its way to Dallas for a new chapter in our lives to begin. Needless to say, last year was an unusual and hectic Christmas season; one I hope not to repeat too soon. Nonetheless, it was an exciting one. We left our home in San Francisco, and said adieu to all of our belongings on December 23rd and heading to our families homes to spend Christmas. Then, a few days after Christmas, we flew to Dallas just in time to end 2010 and begin 2011. With much help from my parents, we were pretty well settled in time to celebrate our New Year's baby's birthday. (Kensie was born on Jan 1)

This year was much more typical and much less stressful. It was filled with holiday dinners with friends, class parties, carriage rides to view Christmas lights, a downtown visit to see Santa at the quintessential Neiman Marcus, a trip to the Gaylord Texan to view the amazing and frigidly chilly ICE! display by Harbin ice artists, a special visit from a special friend and a beautiful and memorable candlelight Christmas Eve church service. It has been a festive and enjoyable holiday season. Tomorrow we begin the New Year with a very special surprise for the birthday girl! I can't wait. Here are a few snapshots of our Christmas Past and our Christmas Present:

Before the stress of a cross country move during Christmas hit full throttle, we managed to enjoy a few treats. Our good friends came for a last SF visit to enjoy the city holiday festivities