Mikulas Nap

Saint Mikulas (aka Nicolas) came last night! In this part of the world the tradition is that Santa comes to visit on the night of the 5th of Dec. The kids have to put their boots in the windowsill for Santa to visit and fill with sweets. We didn't put out winter boots in the window. Instead the kids put out their wellies which hold a bit more candy. Here are their filled boots left on the kitchen table after they brought them down and dug through them. They were so excited. Especially when they were both given permission to have candy before school! Mikulas is visiting all 3 of them at school today and their days are filled with lots of Christmas parties.

Our kids are extra lucky as the American Santa also visits us on the 24th with toys for presents! The scientist in Terence is becoming suspicious. There are so many traditions celebrated in our diverse environment that he's starting to wonder what the truth is...

He did make a joke this morning about what if moms and dads left their boots out for Mikulas and got them filled with sweets. I told him that most parents don't like sweets as much as their kids so maybe that wouldn't be such a great treat. He thought for a while and then said, "I know! He can leave something that mommies and daddies like to eat! Like salad! And wine!" Mia added, "And coffee!"

They're going to have enough sweets for an entire year as Erika has even filled their winter boots with goodies.

What an exciting morning!

Curt's Bike

Curt's so amazing. He rides his bike to and from work every day. Regardless of the rain, snow, sleet, dark, etc. he is always on his bike. It takes him about an hour and it must be approximately 20-25 km one way. Here's his preferred winter bike and a photo of him cleaning it. He cleans and tunes it before EVERY ride.

Family Photo Attempts

We attempted to get a family photo by using our camera's self timer. Here are a few attempts.

This is the most centered but half of Mia is blocked out by my hair.

This is during the test phase. I actually like this one of the 3 of them. Mia looks just a bit too serious.

Ali and I took up more space than I planned for and we went right outside the shot.

This one is okay but Terence is just about fed up with the attempts.

Move One Managers Tree Trimming Party

Our Christmas tree is huge! After another fun tree-trimming party (on Sunday, Dec 2nd) we got our tree up and decorated. It's all done and we are ready for Santa!

Here are pictures from Sunday's party.

Our tree

Curt, Paul and Jay bringing in the beast. We had a marquee outside with heaters so the party could spread out more. The weather, however, has been really sunny and warm.

Paul, Erik and Ian were in charge of the lights.

Here they are in action. They actually had to lean over balcony from the 2nd floor to get the lights all the way up the tree. They used a broom to hook the lights around and wrap it around the tree.

Jay putting the snowman (we don't have an angel) on the top of the tree. It's usually Carl that does this job but he had just returned from the US and was too jetlagged to make it to the party.

All the tree trimming coordinators (photos of tree trimming in action are all on Erik's camera)

Aidan's Visit

Here's Aidan at our Tree-Trimming party. He was a popular little guy and slept almost the entire time. He wasn't even bothered by everyone taking turns holding him.

Aidan with his dad (Jon Harman) and mom (Szilva). Curt and Jon have known each other since they were 7 years old. Let's just say that was a long time ago in Northern Virginia when their families became next door neighbors. Jon met Szilva (a Hungarian) here in Budapest shortly after he arrived in Feb 2005. Aidan is now 3 weeks old.

Both Ali and Mia ADORE babies. Here is Ali meeting Aidan for the first time.

I must admit holding a new baby again was great. I think it makes a big difference when your body isn't sore from carrying it for 9+ months, the delivery and then all the lack of sleep!

Mia was the official babysitter for the evening. She kept saying to me, "Mommy, he likes me so much".

Even Jay (who doesn't do babies at all) had a quick cuddle. His girlfriend, Aasta (Norwegian), quickly snatched Aidan away.

Kasia (Polish) works in our relocation division as a Regional Immigration Manager. She looks like a pro holding Aidan.

The new dad is getting a rest. New babies are a lot of work!