Birthday Season Again!!

Hey, all - it's about that time again... A and I are celebrating our birthdays at the end of the month. This photo was from my 30th in NZ, which had a '70s theme. Amazing how good A looked in his feathered wig and purple leisure suit.

A and I are planning a bit of a do in early February when M is away on a ski trip. A grown-up gathering of friends in DC. If you're in the area, feel free to drop on by. This time, no costume required!

Chicken Kyiv??

Yes, we are going to Kyiv (aka Kiev for all you old-school out there.) Departure currently estimated at August 2008, following an intensive training program for me. Six months of economics and then six months of Russian language training. The boys are excited, since the school and bars seem to be top-notch. I'm excited, as I'll be combatting organized crime... well, really just managing the programs that actually do the combatting.
A note, though - in the State Department, nothing is final until you've already done it, so there's always a chance I won't get to go, and will be redirected somewhere else. Not a huge chance, but it still looms out there.

In other news, A has a nifty job. Email him and ask about it - it's in a field he enjoys, so we're happy. M is getting braces this month, apparently a new form of torture invented by parents to stunt a pre-teen's social life. And we all had a great Holiday break in Carson City at the "San Antonio Ranch." I explored my Nevada roots (didn't know I had any, did you!) and we got in some nice skiing and gambling. Aaaaahhhh, the American way!