Happy New Year from Our Family to Yours!

World Travelers

Our trip was even more of an adventure because of the 

winter weather. We faced delayed flights both ways and 

drove through two other snowstorms along the way.

We're thankful that we made it to all of our destinations safely

and proud of our girls for being such good travelers!

Our suitcases finally arrived six days after we did.

And it took us just about as long to get over our jetlag.

(This picture was taken just before 2am on our second day home.)

But we had a wonderful, full, fun winter adventure

and it was great to see everyone!

Time with Family

Cousins!

Elena - almost 6

Rana - 5 and a half

Gabriel - 2 and a half

Mira - 6 months

USA Winter Adventure - Michigan

We had many opportunities to play in the snow throughout 

our trip, especially in Michigan. We walked on Reed's Lake, 

which had so much snow on top of the ice that you could 

hardly tell you were actually walking over a body of water!

We're glad our sweet cousin Molly flew in 

from California again to see us!

The kids went sledding and ice skating, too.

Rana's first time on ice skates!

USA Winter Adventure - Pennsylvania

Our third stop was in PA to visit Gram & Grampa.

Nana & Grandpa, Aunt Jill, and Kata & Justin

made their way there for an early Christmas celebration.

Rana was quite taken by Jill's dog, Lucy. 

Mira, however, preferred the stuffed Christmas dog

that has been making appearances since Annie was little!

We all had fun catching up and goofing around.

Right, Mira?

USA Winter Adventure - New York City

We spent three days in NYC and saw most of the main touristy sites. 

Our hotel was fabulously located right in the middle of Manhattan. 

Arriving at Grand Central Station,

which Rana knows from "Madagascar." 

Time's Square

by night

Time's Square

by day

Bryant Park and the Library, 

including an ice rink and, 

ironically, a German Christmas Market.

We opted to splurge on a day pass for a double-decker 

tour bus so that we could see more of the city more easily.

We caught the Staten Island Ferry

and cruised by Lady Liberty

and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Rana with her first spool of cotton candy ever.

Back on the ferry, 

heading back to the city. 

We beat the crowds by heading to 

the Empire State Building

first thing in the morning.

Quite a view from 86 floors up above the city!

Because she was a real trooper and put up with lots of touring 

despite having a fever for the first few days of our trip, 

we treated Rana to a kid-oriented afternoon on our last day in the city.  

We went to Macy's, the M&M Store, the Disney Store, and visited

a variety of her favorite characters in Time's Square.

And finally, we saw the lights at Rockefeller Center.

Mira was a great little tourist, too,

and happily went where ever we wanted to carry her!