Christmas Weekend in Bogota

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Our HHE arrived Monday and Julia worked very hard unpacking and getting the house in order in time for Christmas Eve.  We had a great Christmas Eve dinner at the Osland's and Annika enjoyed spending time with Isa.  For Christmas we chilled at our house drinking Old Fashioneds and opening gifts followed by Julia cooking a fantastic RibEye (meat from Argentina!).  We did manage to leave the house the day after Christmas and Annika was thankful.  She also got a chance to wear her new puff vest and holiday hat.

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Heading to the Osland's for Christmas Eve
Playing before heading out to dinner
Isa preparing cheese with sugar sprinkles
Isa making Annika cheese with sugar sprinkles. Delicious!
Our tree on Christmas Eve
It's a toothbrush!!
Annika's favorite gift is an electic toothbrush.
Old Fashioned
Old Fashioneds
Ribeye for Christmas dinner
Ribeye for Christmas dinner
Opening the last gifts Christmas night
Opening the last Christmas gifts while getting to enjoy a fireplace in our home for the first time
Santa brought her very own PFD
Santa brought her a PFD!
...and it's a hit!
Finally out of the house
Not amused
She does like for us to swing her high

Embassy Holiday Party 2015

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The U.S. Embassy was nice enough to host a holiday party for the kids to include a special visit from Santa. Unfortunately, Annika is still at the scared ****less phase when it comes to Santa.  This day also turned into a mini photo shoot.

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Annika in her festive Christmas sweats/warm-ups
Ready to go!
Annika, with Mom and Isa, at a respectable distance from Santa
Outdoors on a grass field and food in her hand - what's more to love?
Outdoors on a grass field and food in her hand - what's more to love?
Annika pondering her next meal
Leading with her stomach
Notice any resemblance??
Notice any resemblance??


Noche Buena and Christmas in Quito 2014

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As it was peanut's first Christmas - and she is just so damn photogenic - we took a million pictures. Looks like Santa needs to bring more memory cards and backup drives next year. We spent Noche Buena with good friends from the Embassy; it was a great evening complete with homemade spaghetti, old fashioneds, and tons of excited kids. We returned home to start our own new Christmas traditions. We must have been good this year as Santa came overnight and filled Annika's stocking, bringing her a little toothbrush for her 1/2 of a tooth. Santa also brought a train set that scared the bejeezus out of her.

We had a relaxing low key Christmas day starting with mimosas and ending with a candlelit dinner. We enjoyed our first Christmas as a family of 3 but missed spending time with our family.

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Christmas in Austin

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I'd like to thank Michelle and Vince for hosting Christmas this year.  We had a fantastic time during our week in Austin and the food was delicious.  From Vince's bacon and pancakes, Michelle's Kimchi, to Suzan's pecan pie -- they all were delicious! Thank you for the gifts and we will be seeing you shortly. Below are some pics of our week in Austin.  To view the entire album click here.

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The Hunt for a Christmas Tree

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Michelle landed a job at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center as part of the Ecosystem Design Group at the University of Texas at Austin.  As part of her work, she does prescribed fires for research and to inform restoration and regenerative practices.  The fields for their research contain a plethora of Juniperus ashei -- a perfect specimen for a Christmas tree. With approval from her office, Vince, Michelle, Suzan, Julia, and I headed out to the Lady Bird Wildflower Center in search of a Christmas Tree.  Afterwards we treated ourselves to some Texas BBQ at Salt Lick and then Julia made her very special snickerdoodles!

Below are some pictures of our adventure.  To view the entire album click here.

Velazquez Reunion 2012 - 2013

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This past Christmas I was lucky enough to spend time with family that I haven't seen for quite some time. My brother Andresito who is currently living in Puerto Rico, my nephew Luisito currently studying medicine in the D.R., and my cousin Luis Felipe and Uncle Luis from Miami all flew down for the holidays. It was great to see everyone and one could only hope that many more reunions like this continue especially with our upcoming move to Quito, Ecuador. To view the entire album click here.

Velazquez
Velazquez
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