Christmas in St Louis Missouri USA

Well after 48 hours of transit from Maputo, we arrived at my birthplace in the midwest United States. It had been almost 6 years since Pranvera was there and maybe 4 for Adi. As I had finished my job in Mozambique, this was perfect timing to get some (relative) R&R in the US to transition from our eternal summers and African lifestyle to head to our new home in the Balkans in Pranvera's town of Pristina.

As Adi does not recall snow, we were blessed with a light dusting the morning after we arrived. Luckily Grammy had a ski jacket waiting for Adi since he has never worn jackets, hat and gloves as a boy. Of course our first stop after he wiped the car off was his jacket sleeve was REI to get him winter boots and some better waterproof gear.

My sister flew in early from CA and set-up an Xmas tree in our Corporate Apt that we had for the 3 week visit. Can't thank her enough for helping make it feel like a real Christmas. And everything house and street seemed to be decorated with lights which made every evening drive a blast for the entire family.

As my dad had only 2 weeks earlier fell and broke his hip, we had to juggle much of our family time visiting dad at a rehab center, mom at her condo, Stacey (my sister) at a combination of them both as well as the ever present baby sitter and all my old StL friends. Thankfully our rented minivan handle to constant drive and I loved pressing all the automatic door buttons to open each sliding door for the kids and rear hatch for our never ending gear and shopping.

But among all the family visits we did get out and 'play' in the city as you can see below. Pranvera and I treated ourselves with 72 hours in Chicago over New Years to leave the kids with Stacey and Grammy. It was the coldest day of the year in Chicago as we walked the shops on Michigan Ave. but I was able to indulge in Chicago deep dish pizza, a Starbucks on every corner, the best sushi of our lives on NYE and ringing in the New Year at one of the oldest jazz clubs in Chicago. We also got to catch up with my dear friend Adam Keyser as an added bonus (not to mention sleeping in with out kids).

We also had a short 3 day stopover in DC to switch storage lockers (and see items we haven't even remembered we own since we have been overseas). And visit  both close friends as well as with our cousins Sophia and Kate who are beautiful young women now (3 years since Adi had seen them).

Although a non-stop holiday, wonderful to reset in the US over the holiday time before beginning our new adventures back in Kosovo.

 First snow

 At Grammy's for an Xmas Open House.

 Holiday celebration with the Bartlett family (and all the kids).

 Fire Station US style

 Playing at the City Museum

 Playday at Monkey Joe's

 OMG. This is what a call a Lego set!!

 Adi and mommy skating outside during unusually warm day

  Xmas day visit with Grandpa

 Day playing at Magic House

 Xmas Eve Service

Adi and Rea meet Santa

 Christmas Day

 Adi's Bday celebration at Grammy's

 Learning to skate

 New Years Eve in Chicago

 Playing in the apartment

Cousins Sophia and Kate with the Kirkbrides visiting DC