From Halloween to Christmas
Wow, our apologies for having been so delayed in sending some great photos and stories about what the Kirkbrides have been up to this Fall. We cannot believe that the Christmas tree is already up and the holiday season is in full swing. It feels like yesterday we were scooping out the pumpkin and still wearing shorts. To say the least we have had a fortunate and busy year. Shortly after our Scandinavian vacation we did another 2.5 whirlwind tour of the US stopping off in Chicago first for my 25th Northwestern reunion, drvoe to St Louis to visit with Dad and Aunt Stacey, a flight to NY to see the Big Apple and finally bused to DC to visit with close friends, cousins and play tourist. The list of friendly visits with close friends is too long but know that this was by far a highlight of the year for us all, despite the exhausting pace and extensive distances covered.
Meanwhile back in Pristina Adi has been fully engaged with early his Bear badges and participating in numerous Cub Scout activities. He continues to enjoy learning electric guitar and playing soccer with his school plus doing ICT and cooking classes after school. Rea loves her local daycare and is doing ballet twice a week and spinning around the house any chance she gets. Pranvera is rocking her Rule of Law project and drafting new laws and legislation for the Kosovo Judicial System. I had a slower year for work primarily focusing on a large MCC project based in DC but closed out the year with almost a 3 week partner training and brokering trip for USAID in Guatemala plus a local gig with the UN in Kosovo.
We couldn't be happier to spend the first time in 8 years not traveling for Christmas (except a drive to Albania for the weekend before New Years). We have fully decked the halls and the kids are gearing up for end of year school performances and for the upcoming snow storms we have been spared from thus far. We wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a New Year.
