Turning 18 on New Year's Eve

Mary turned 18!! She wanted calamari for lunch (thanks Judy) then spent the afternoon with two friends and they walked the Starry Arbat (this is the older street with shops and things here in the center of town where no cars can drive) and had a wonderful time. They were so silly, one lady stopped them and asked where they were from and remarked she could see they were drunk already... not one of them had had a drop. Mary had requested Aunt Jenny's lemon chicken for dinner and then we headed over to the Mansager's house for a get together with several others here on the compound for a little New Year celebration. There we sang Mary "Happy Birthday" before they all left for Red Square, and then we headed home to welcome in the New Year simple, and quiet with sprite toasts and big cheers in our family room. Seems quite anticlimatic for such a big year but things are as they should be. Mary is very content with her birthday gift and travels to come. After her graduation she will be heading to Germany in June to see her class at Kaiserslautern High School graduate and then to Virginia to see her class at SouthLakes High School graduate. We thought attending three high schools deserved three graduations! She agrees. Happy Birthday baby girl.

One picture

This is literally the one picture taken between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Those are icicles frozen on the screen outside the window. It was interesting to see. For the entire week we (well most of us) enjoyed staying warm and cozy in our little home- sleeping, eating, playing games and watching TV (Glee and Band of Brothers Marathon) and movies. We had hoped to travel somewhere but Joey ended up having to go into work a few days and things just didn't work out for us to go. And really it was best. I knew we were tired but didn't realize how burned out we all were. The moves and traveling over the years have taken their toll. We are all needed nothing but rest.

Christmas Morning

We woke to a beautiful white Christmas. The kids were excited to see what were in the shiny boxes under the tree and the little ones woke us all up quite early. It had been a late night for me so I was the last one out of bed. We stayed in our PJ's all day and took small breaks from the gifts to drag it out as long as possible. It was a sweet Christmas and everyone had a new toy.It got kinda messy towards the end of our unwrapping as you can see...Later in the day we finished this impossible puzzle... which we probably could have finished earlier in the week if not for all the other preparations going on! It was really nice to beat this one as it seemed so difficult to tackle with all the pieces the same shape. But the kids are getting so good at it anymore I am not alone.

... and the older I get the better it is to puzzle the sweets and not eat them I think.
Merry Christmas, God bless us everyone.

Christmas Eve Moscow

We had a simple day as we prepared a Christmas Eve dinner and readied ourselves for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church. We were also doing some last minute wrapping and such. For dinner we had ham, brussels sprouts, and hash brown casserole. And Judy made us a flan for dessert which was wonderful. We made her open our gifts to her and when she opened the Dr Suess book and animal we gave her for her son, she cried. I know she misses her family back in the Phillipines. We miss ours too

There was a light snow all day and we looked forward to the walk in the snow to go to the service. Our friend Dave Stohs came for dinner and walked to church with us.

This Nativity was in a window front on the way. My flash hit it just right I'd say!

It's always very special to reflect on Christmas Eve when the lights go out in the church and the candlelight grows brighter and brighter. Jesus came to earth as a baby. Our only hope and light came in the form of a simple baby. And His light shines so bright in the darkness. So let us shine for Him. Merry Christmas.

On our walk home we stopped to take a family picture with the Christmas tree. These manmade Christmas trees are all over the city and are very pretty. Once home we quickly went to bed so Santa might come. Merry Christmas and to all a goodnight.

Ice Skating with Uncle Brian

Right across the street from the US Embassy is a track which come freezing temperatures they turn into an ice rink. Uncle Brian who fly's for Delta airlines and has recently begun to fly trips to Moscow. It is so fun when he just shows up to visit for a day. The ice rink had just opened this week and he was game to go skate with the boys and a few of their friends. Evidently, he had not been since college where he had actually gone ice skating and met his wife, my sister! How fun! And he was good enough to bring me pictures. Above is one of the seven sisters we live next too and below, at the other end is the Russian White House where Medvedev does his business.

Building 14 Lenenski Prospect Apt 390

This address was Joey's when he lived in Moscow as a child.

Funny thing, is it is the same address we went to for our dinner invitation tonight.

Joey lived in Apt 390 which is now combined with 391. Our dinner was one floor down, directly under his childhood apartment. Deja vu. He remembered little things like where he got on the school bus. When he shared this all with his parents, they remembered him dropping water balloons over the balcony at cars below. It's a small world and a time flies!

Decorating for Christmas

Putting the popcorn on ... a long-standing tradition. But this year I passed on the baton because I just can't do it all anymore. It was either that or get a tree with preinstalled lights. The kids decided that was not an option and really chipped in to get the job done... and Im so glad!

This angel is 19 years old now.

The curious kitty is a new addition to our holiday fun.

just a cute picture... maybe, "the end",

and the finished product is beautiful

Sleeping Beauties

A week of Christmas Concerts

Actually just three nights.... Tuesday we had Choir performances where Reuben sang baritone in the Middle School Choir. Later that evening he actually admitted enjoying performing in the concert! He is second from the left, back row.

The evening's finale was Dona Nobis Pacem

including a harpist and flutist and it was really moving.

Tuesday was a small informal Strings performance where Clara plays the Viola. The strings program is new to the school so they wanted to begin with a non-threatening environment to show off how they are progressing. It was very enjoyable.

John took the opportunity to serenade us with his piano while we enjoyed our snack afterwards.

Thursday brings the Band concert where Seth plays percussion for the High School Band.

He loves the Timpani.

The highlight of the evening was the Nightmare before Christmas music selection and below Seth is introducing this piece. It was really nice, hearing a newer piece of music.

...and so goes the musical experiences of the Hickox Household this Christmas.

Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre

Ladies night out - through the drama department at school, Mary was able to get us tickets to see the Nutcracker at the Bolshoi, small (Maly) theatre (the large theatre is closed for renovations until Oct 2011 but it has already been delayed a couple years so we'll see). We had great seats (second row of stall seating) and we couldn't believe we were there!

Both the theatre and performance were beautiful

and so much fun right before Christmas.

Everything is a cultural experience... bows and applause were given right in the middle of the performance, several times, along with lots of "bravos" shouted by men causing us to giggle a little.

...and another stroll in the snow on our way home.

Christmas Program at church

John played Joseph... and Clara played one of the children who were finding footsteps in the snow which lead them to see Jesus and the Christmas story more clearly. It was a sweet little play reminding us all to focus on Jesus birth, the reason for the season.

Spaso House Children's Christmas Party

Snacks and crafts passed the time till Santa and Mrs Claus came, along

with Ded Moroz (Father Christmas) with Snegurochka (Snow Maiden)

It was quite interesting because Santa and Ded Moroz both knew my

children's first names... boy, those elves are good!!

...here Clara was off busy doing something along with Reuben and Seth who were

delivering cookies from the people coming in the door to the kitchen.

Unfortunately Mary was home sick... check the link for more on

Russian Christmas Traditions

Chocolate Factory Tour with Attache Spouse Group

This building on the corner was the Chocolate Factory destination we were set to go to for our tour. We set off in light snowy conditions and enjoyed the walk from the metro station.

We toured a small museum which showed the history of chocolate.

In the lobby we dressed appropriately for touring the working part of the factory. While seeing the machinery and moving parts of the factory, we got to sample the chocolates!

In the lobby chocolate pictures and figures were on display. We then had an opportunity to buy chocolate in the decorative boxes they are so well known for.