We had a fun Thanksgiving here at our place, it was the first time Rachel got to host one.  It also marked our first year anniversary here in Szeged, so we had much to be thankful for.  We brought our white plastic picnic table into our living room, so we all fit fine.  Laci, Keri and Odi aren't Americans, but we all decided to allow them to enjoy Thanksgiving anyway - wasn't that nice of us? :-)

From left to right: James, Laci & Keri with kids behind them at the 'kiddie table', Norbi and Kyle & Odi in the front.

This winter has been the snowiest and coldest in decades in Hungary, setting lots of new snowfall records.  Coming from Maine, it's always funny to watch all the over-reactions to snow from those not used to it - life pretty much stopped several days this winter when, gasp, almost SIX INCHES of snow fell.  For those of you not used to snow either - by Maine standards, several FEET would be a big deal - six inches is more like a 'dusting'.  Still, we all really enjoyed the beautiful snow, and getting to have a really white Christmas was such a treat after three green Southern California Christmases.  The only family member not too sure about all the snow was Anna - who is just too much of a California girl (being our only child born there).  Anna really did not enjoy the COLD, WET, MESSY stuff.  Oh well - see the fun the boys had without her below!

We shared our Christmas Eve this year with James, and he got very excited about our gift to him: fluff a.k.a. marshmallow creme (he's an East Coast guy, and loves to make peanut butter/fluff sandwiches) and Mac N' Cheese mix:

Our kids' big Christmas gift this year was a kid-size tent to play in - here we are on Christmas Eve all squished inside.

Sir Joshua on Fasang, a seasonal holiday in February here in Hungary where everyone has costume parties - the boys' classes had little parties.  There's no official reason for Fasang, the best we can get from everyone is it's a way to get through the winter!

Sir Josiah and his class at their Fasang party.

Goofy kids and the pinatas we helped them make - Siah's was a bug, Joshi's was, well, supposed to be a 'dinosaur'.	Máté and Siah at the birthday party in February - best buddies.	Joshi and Siah in their new Christmas tent.
Christmas day Veggie lovers - grandparents sent the kids each a talking stuffed Veggie Tales guy - and Anna's cool pink sunglasses!	Kyle and Odi Eckhart with the Lakatos kiddos, just before Christmas.	A wild and crazy live todum pole!
Joshi asleep with his favorite birthday present, a big stuffed elephant from Nagymoma.