All I want for Christmas is a...lobster purse?

We headed back to the States for Christmas and New Year's. The last leg of our trip marked Moira's 17th plane flight. She is getting really good at the crossword puzzles.

Nick's family welcoming Moira after we arrive in Denver. Pictured are Moira's uncle Jesse, grandmother JoAnn behind him, aunt Christie shaking her hand and a family friend Sirong.

We opened gifts from youngest to oldest, so Moira had the honor of going first. Pictured clockwise starting from the left are some of Nick's siblings: Megan and Casey (Nick's sister-in-law and brother from DC); Alex from Seattle; Jackson, a junior in high school; and Christie who lives in Denver.

It's a small miracle if we're all looking at the camera together. If it had fur and whiskers I guarantee she'd stare right at it every time. Why has no one thought of this?

The rootinest tootinest cowgirl in the Wild, Wild Middle East

Checking updates on the Broncos, back when Tebow Fever was at its peak, with Nick's dad Don

Lots of tickling

Capping off Christmas night with some good, old-fashioned sledding

A few days later we flew to Marietta, Georgia for a second Christmas with my family.

 Moira's most intriguing gift---a purse, shaped like a lobster. What will they think of next?

My sister Ellie and Moira both received keyboards for Christmas, but each found the other's more interesting.

We met my sister Anne Marie's boyfriend Kyle for the first time. Before even meeting us, he'd been forced to watch countless video clips of Moira, thanks to Anne, a very proud and enthusiastic aunt. We had a good time hanging out with them for New Year's Eve.

Hayley, my brother Paul's sweet fiance

Rapidly descending my parents' crazy steep driveway---quite the thrill

Loving the warm weather---no coats necessary

Other days were not quite as warm, but we still ventured outside.

We toured the Atlanta Botanical Gardens at night to see the beautiful light display.

Temperatures were in the teens, but I think Moira was too transfixed by the million lights to notice.

The fam warming up inside the greenhouse. Pictured from left to right are my dad Jerry, mom Moira, brother Paul, sister Ellie, and the three of us on the end.

Looking forward to 2012

Back in Jerusalem the second semester is off to a good start. This morning we had an appointment with the Ministry of Interior to renew our visa (They said we can stay!). When the car didn't start, another teacher and six students came running through the school gate to give us a push, so Nick could back up and roll start the car. One of the perks of living right next to the school.