Happy New Year

Jan 2, 2009 sunrise. The sun just clears the apartment buildings on a clear, beautiful, cold day in Moscow. It is 9:30 a.m. The sun will not get much higher than our twin sister apartment across the way. We don't get much sun, but we sure enjoy what we do get.

I started this post yesterday, but I didn't get very far.

Yesterday, I spent most of the morning balancing checking accounts and preparing end of year financial reports for the tax man. How boring!!

Later in the day we had the Irelands and Nearons for dinner. Then we retired to the Nearons for a movie, The Queen.

Light snow yesterday and a bit warmer. Today the weather forecast says if feels like -2 F.

Below are a few pictures from our New Years Eve celebration and day trip we took with the Irelands to Red Square last weekend. As you will see, Moscow is reallying getting into the season!

Napoleon looking for someone to have their picture taken with him. Chris and Greg with the Snow Maiden ice sculpture.

A little tyke on a Russian sleigh ride just outside of Red Square. That's the Metropol Hotel in the background, the site of this year's Interim Mission Presidents' Seminar!!

Ferris wheel with no motor!!

Sam next to temporary Renock (selling Christmas crafts) outside of Red Square.
To stay warm, we decided to go into National History Museum. It was quite impressive. What was most impressive, if you look a little closer, they had a replica of the U.S. Declaration of Independence!! I wonder if V.P. knows this!!

Chris and Greg inside the Museum.

Chris and Narene after our tour of the History Museum.

History Museum at night.

Chris and Greg warming up in the Gum department store.

The Gum ice skating rink, looking a little magical, with the history museum in the background.

Red Square was closed until 6:00 pm. We were among the first to enter.

Father Frost looking for someone to have their picture taken with him!!

Outside the theatre before the performance.

The Nutcracker Ballet!

Sam, at intemission, happy to be in the theater. He forgot his tickets...again!!! Fortunately, Narene was able to sweet talk an usher to let her come in without a ticket. Sam made good time though. He only missed about 15 minutes of the ballet--less time than he missed once he got there--when he fell asleep!! The last senior moments of the year. I wonder who will author the first senior moments of the new year!!

Linda Rees with Chris and Narene.

On our way to dinner! Chris seen here with Linda and Stephen Rees.
At the American Grill Restaurant.
The second half of or group.
Snovim Godom. Happy New Years sign Moscow style!!

After dinner the Shepards, Masons and Gregorys headed back to the Irelands for snacks and fireworks. We left at 9:00; Masons stayed until 1:00!! Sorry, I was dead asleep by the time the fireworks began. Chris says they ended at about three in the morning.