This time is the most precious, the time to reflect, the time to relax, the time to entertain, the time to spend with family. So my blog will be short and sweet, filled with photos of those precious times.
I hope you too are enjoying Christmas with those you love and remembering the reason.
Merry Christmas all!
Christmas has always been a time to reflect on the past year and to send you our love for the coming year. Our year started out on a high, had one full month of worry and scare and is ending on an even higher note. A full mixture of everything to keep us on our toes. We brought in the New Year in Southern California at Disneyland and Legoland with my sister Elsie for a fun filled trip geared just for the children. Once home, we quickly started to work on a dream vacation, a seven week trip to Europe, Hungary, Serbia, France, Germany and we spent the better half of the year working out the details and planning what we had hoped to be a vacation of a lifetime.
As life sometimes does, we were thrown a curve ball the first day of summer, Robi started to feel ill. It became serious and he was in and out of the hospital for nearly a month not knowing exactly what could be done when finally, it was determined that surgery was necessary to get us past this hurdle. He had a blocked intestine from scar tissue from the operations he had when he was an infant. The surgery was intense but it was a necessary evil to get him past this and recovery was slow but, he is a strong man and pulled through great. He still has a very sensitive stomach and we need to watch him and always think about activities he can’t do, food etc. Due to his sickness our trip to Europe had to be cancelled and as fate would have it this was our first vacation in twenty years of traveling that we bought cancellation insurance, so luckily, most of our money was returned. 
Once Robi was healthy it was time to think about what sort of holiday we could put together before school started again. We decided to head to Boston for a few days and took an amazing cruise to Bermuda. What an incredible group of islands, this is a place we would like to return to sometime in the future. We also returned to California to see Disneyland again in October for a couple of weeks to spend Halloween with the Disney characters, another great holiday for the children. Both holidays were amazing and gave us such amazing memories. On the first we were spoiled like royalty and we met some great like minded people and personally got to know a living master artist. He has since become like a family member to us and we hope to go visit him soon in either Hungary or his home town in Israel. The second holiday was so beautiful as we were able to show my Aunt around our favourite place on earth as well as had a relaxing cruise from Los Angeles down to Mexico.
This year Gabor has started Kindergarten and Aniko is attending preschool. The Montessori program allows them to spend half a day together in the same classroom, however it is a rare occasion that they work or play together during that time. They are both bright & beautiful children, inside and out. Gabor is very interested in soccer, music, math and languages and Aniko is a very caring 3 year old. She seems to be taking steps a bit faster than expected and is already very intelligent. I look forward to finding out where her interests lie but currently she loves gymnastics and would like to get back into a dance program. Life is one fun roller coaster ride and we are thankful you are part of our journey. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the love, joy and health in the New Year.
Kedves Mindenki!
Karácsonykor úgy nagy álltalában mindig vissza szoktunk tekinteni az év fő eseményeire és szeretetünket küldeni mindenkinek 
az Új évre. Hát legyen úgy most is!
Az új 2011-es év, tele izgalommal és örömmel kezdődött. Majd később egy teljes hónap tele aggodalommal és félelemmel. És végül mégis egy boldog, kalanddal és szeretettel teli év lett belőle. Viszont megtanított olyan leckére is, hogy nem szabad az életet túl könnyelműen venni, mert mindenki élete örökre megváltozhat egy rosz pillanaton belül.
Dél Californiában voltunk a gyerekekkel és Elsie nővéremmel, ahol meglátogattuk DISNEYLAND-et éd LEGOLAND-et a gyerekek kedvéért. Haza érkezésünk után rögtön elkezdtünk tervezni és dolgozni a nyárra betervezett, 7 hetes Európai (Magyarország, Szerbia, Franciaország, Németország) utunkon. De a sors, mint általában, másképp döntött.
Robi a nyár első napján lebetegedett és ki-be járt a korházból egy hónapon keresztűl, mert az orvosok először nem tudták pontossan megállapítani, hogy mi okozza neki a fájdalmait. Mikor megállapították, (kisbaba korában többször műtötték és a kisbél varratok most gátolták neki a kisbelek működését, ami roppant nagy fájdalmat okozott neki) utánna meg sokáig tárgyalták az orvosok hogy mi lenne a legjobb kezelési módszer. MŰTENI kell, volt a határozat! Hosszú műtét volt de szükséges és szerencsés! Lassan gyógyult ki belőle, pedig jó alkatú és erős akaratú volt. A lényeg az, hogy a műtét sikerült és most már jól érzi magát. A hasa, még mindíg érzékeny és vigyázni kell, hogy miket csinál fizikailag és hogy táplálkozik. Természetesen a betegsége miatt lecsúsztunk a tervezett és befizetett Európai útról, de hála Istennek 20 év óta ez volt az első eset, hogy kivettük az utas biztosítást és így szerencsénkre visszakaptuk az utiköltségnek a java részét.
Mikor Robi már egészségesnek érezte magát, ismét elkezdtünk körülnézni, hogy milyen nyaralást tudnánk betervezni az iskola kezdete előtt magunknak. Elhatároztuk, hogy elrepülünk BOSTON-ba (USA) egy pár napra és onnan hajóval tovább BERMUDÁ-ba. Csak azt tudjuk mondani róla, hogy BOSTON az egy nagyon európaias város, sok szép amerikai történelmi múlttal és BERMUDA pedig valami csodás szép kis sziget csoport, ahová még vissza fogunk menni.
Késő ősszel, Október második felében ismét útnak indultunk és vissza mentünk Californiába hogy a gyerekek együtt tölthessék HALLOWEEN-t (Okt. 31) a Disney karakterokkal. Ez is, mint a másik kettő is, egy nagyon sikeres vakáció lett, tele örömmel és boldog pillanatokkal.
Az első vakációnkon, melyen fenségesen bántak velünk, találkoztunk egy néhány hasonló gondolkodású egyénnel mint mi, és személyes meghívást is kaptunk egy festőművésztől akivel annyira összemelegedtünk, hogy jóformán családtagnak nevezhetnénk. Reméljük, hogy majd hamar meg tudjuk őt látogatni vagy Magyarországon, vagy Izraelben, ahol lakik. A második vakációnkon örültünk, hogy sikerült megmutatni kedvenc helyünket e földön, CALIFORNIÁ-t nagynénémnek és még ráadásúl hajókáztunk is egyet a Csendes Oceánon az USÁ-ból Mexicó-ba.
Gábor az idén már nagy-óvodás lesz és Anikó meg kis-óvodás. A „Montessori” óvodás program megengedi nekik, hogy félnapot együtt tölthessenek egy szobában, habár ritkán van az, hogy együtt dolgoznának ill. játszanak. Mindkettő nagyon értelmes és szép gyermekek, kívűl is belül is. Gábort nagyon érdekli a foci, zene, számtan és a nyelvek. Anikó meg egy szerény, törődő 3 éves intelligens kis személy aki nagyon gyorsan halad éveihez viszonyítva. Epedve vájuk, hogy milyen irányba fog az érdeklődáse fejlődni. Egyelőre szereti a tornát és a táncot. Az élet egy izgalommal és örömmel teli hullámvasút és köszönetünket fejezzük ki, hogy ti is részesek vagytok abban, hogy ilyen a pálya amin együtt vagytok velünk és mi veletek.
Kívánunk mindannyiotoknak kellemes Karácsonyi ünnepeet és egy szeretettel, örömmel, egészséggel teli Új Esztendőt !!!
Robi, Nancy, Gábor és Anikó.
Thank you Arpibacsi for the translation of our Christmas letter, it is very much appreciated and reads much more poetically than I could have ever done.
This year the children and I have been so busy with all our events and school that I have been missing my alone time with Gabor. Aniko has long ago dropped her naps which is wonderful as I have several hours a day alone with her, however Gabor and I have not had any alone time for several months. It was time to have an Anya/Gabor day, so we planned out exactly what we wanted to accomplish and then picked a day. The weather cooperated with us as most of our activities were outside play, I think it even reached 8 degrees, full sunshine and no wind! We spent the morning in our neighbourhood first creating a great fort in our yard, singing, dancing and playing with Brahms. Before we knew it an hour had passed so we decided to change scenery and took off for an adventure in the woods and down to the river. 
We ran into so many animals along the way, Blue Jays sung beautiful songs for us, twice we saw deer grazing along the river and prancing by us and flocks of geese flew above us. We had a great adventure in the woods then ended off everything on the golf course where the wind seemed to pick up in the openness and chill my already frozen feet. Time to purchase warm boots suitable for long plays outside and wool socks. In we came in for a MochaChai (a special warm milk with a neither mocha nor chai, however affectionately named long ago by Gabor), change of socks and off for Sushi for lunch. Gabor sometimes acts like an adult so much that I forget that I am out with a six year old and enjoy serious conversations with him. Shopping for Aniko's Christmas gift came next and once he found exactly what he wanted it was time for more outdoor fun. Tobogganing and more running around our woods and golf course. It was such a fabulous day for us and we both had twinkles in our eyes. 7 pm came too quickly but our bodies were tired, Gabor finished his prayer for the night thanking for such a beautiful day and wishing that every day could be like that.
Aniko spent her first ever day alone with my parents. They picked her up from school at noon and brought her home to their place. She skipped out of school and so happily and proudly went along with them. They built snowmen and played for hours, worked out on the treadmill and had a really great time alone. All their eyes were twinkling with fun and love by the end of the day. We have all vowed to have more days like this one.
The Magyar Iskola (Hungarian school) had the children put on a little event for us before mass on Sunday. The smaller children recited a verse together, the older children had their own verse and the oldest children put on a little play for us. It was a beautiful ceremony and both Gabor and Aniko were little stars for the audience, which included Elsie and the grandparents. Gabor is like a little man, so perfect in anyway and Aniko certainly stands out in the crowd. I was a proud parent as they both remembered all their lines and so proudly looked for us amongst the others.
We lunched in the basement of the church with everyone and then headed off to attend A Child's Christmas at the Jack Singer. 32 of the most talented young women vocalists accompanied by the orchestra and two very young pianist along with the Mayor all entertained us. It was a fun day and the children were amazing through it all as they needed to sit quietly for the mass and then the 2 hour plus concert. I was again proud when at the end of the concert the people in front of us turned around to put on the jackets and only then realized there were small children behind them.
This was a great way to ensure the Christmas spirit was with us, all the plays and music and smiling loving people would put even the biggest scrooge into the mood.
Lassu Mom has now joined the rest and turned a senior this year! (sorry mom, just had to write it)
We 
threw her a day to be remembered, trying to make it as special as possible. We lunched up the tower at sky 360 and were entertained by the children as the tower slowly twirled around giving us perfect views of the city. A warm clear blue sky enhanced the mountains and a quiet restaurant made it more enjoyable for us. Then home for more of a visit, nightcap and cheese. Scrumptious!!!
The three months have come to an end.
We adored Agi's visit here and
enjoyed that we were able to spend so much time with her. The children
fell in love with her the minute she arrived and they too looked
forward to every single visit. She is now home safe and sound with her
close family and loved ones but missed here.
This weekend was sweet and sour, with the fact we spent so much time with Agi neni although recognizing this is her final days in Calgary. 
What is the best way to end a trip here, a visit up the Calgary tower- an amazing view of the city as well as spend as much time with those you love. We crammed in as much family time as we could. Taking in the views from above the city from the 
tower and visiting our house, Elsie's house and having us all together at moms house.
It seems that Agi was here long enough to feel so comfortable that she belongs and should never leave, and to make it so difficult to say goodbye. In true fashion our last minutes are stretched to days, comfortable moments are always laden with the feeling of lasts. Although I know we plan to visit soon, Agi has become a fixture of our everyday life so the last visits, the last laughs, the last adventures are lined with sadness. As much as I know she has a family, daughters, grandchildren, house and life to go back home to it seems she belongs just as easily here as there. We do have the advancement of technology however a Skype conversation will never replace a hug or shared moment.
Mikulas megérkezett
The children so carefully cleaned their best shoes until they shone like stars. Gabor took extra care in placing them just so and they both asked to ensure we keep our Christmas lights on all night so that Mikulas can find our house with ease.
It seems that all the preparations and all their good deeds this year were rewarded very sweetly.
In our house Mikulas also brings the Christmas tree so that we can enjoy it all December long. The children ran down the stairs as Gabor knew that it would be waiting for us. There was some furniture rearranging as well so they ran from room to room in the morning pointing out all the changes. We sat and sipped a strong coffee watching the joy and bouncing before school through tired eyes. That is a treasure in itself.
