Still doesn’t feel real…

 I can finally send the Christams cards out – I’ve been holding off sending them until Dave’s offer was final and I can tell people we’re moving to Israel. I plan to record my experiences here for everyone back home. Right now it’s all boring getting ready to go stuff – get the pets used to their carriers, find somewhere to store Dave’s car, rent out the house, etc. Had to call FMB today to see if they can take an ACH deposit in shekels! I’m dreading having to sort what goes and what stays here in storage – I know there will be stuff I wish I had once get there. Turns out Kerby is an endangeed species and I have to get a permit to take her out of the country – that should be interesting…

Christmas letter

December 5, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

2007 was a pretty normal year in the Cross household until a few weeks ago. That’s when Dave was offered a new job at Microsoft, in Israel. We have always wanted to do an overseas assignment, and this was an offer we couldn’t refuse. Following one’s husband overseas for employment appears to be a mother-daughter tradition! Dave will be here until late February, with Christine following in April once the household and pets are sorted out. Yes, Kerby and Indy are going to become international travelers! The house in Redmond will be rented out for the two years we’re gone; Christine’s mother is moving into her rental condo in Redmond to keep an eye on it. The Texas duplexes are already looked after by a management company, so nothing will change there.

Back to the more ordinary stuff. Christine turned 30 this year!!! Where does the time go?

In May we took a cruise to Australia and New Zealand; the highlight of the trip was the Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb – literally a guided climb up the suspension cables of the bridge. It wasn’t nearly as dangerous as it sounds and lots of fun!  Air New Zealand managed to do the impossible by losing all 4 of our suitcases. We got them back 2 days into the cruise – a few hours before the first formal night!

August found us in bonnie Scotland, on a coach tour. We stayed in a haunted castle, visited a whisky distillery, and took a cruise on Loch Ness to look for the monster. The boat had sonar equipment, and it sure looks like there is something down there! Our trip ended on a high note with tickets to the Annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo. And yes, we tried the Haggis – Dave ate it every day of our trip after that!

Our email addresses will remain the same: cowprintrabbit@hotmail.com (Christine) and vaq130@hotmail.com (Dave). Christine is going to write a blog of her experiences overseas, you can find it here; along with pictures of our new temporary home when we find it.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy New Year!

                   Much love,

                Christine & Dave