Welcome to the memories of our New Year 2001 party!

Cheers!  Happy 2001!  We had to make everyone pose a couple of minutes before the actual New Year's, so that the picture would come out good.  "Sovetskoe shampanskoe" only looks good ...

Yeah!  Let the New Year's fun begin!  Parents are bringing the long-awaited food.  All of a sudden everybody quit what they were doing and all the attention was focused on mom and dad.  First, a lot of food came in, and then when we thought there couldn't possibly be any more room in their car, came in all the presents!  For the fifth or sixth time, after desperately stating that they wouldn't fit under the tree, we rearranged everything and tucked them under.  (very nicely)

When everyone got to our place, we started preparing the food right away.  A few privileged ones were tasting little bits and pieces while cooking to help them decide later what to concentrate their attention on at the dinner.  Dad even got to stand right beside me in the kitchen!  Everyone else sat around the dining table.  After we were done people dressed up and just sat around, waiting for dinner.  There was a lot of picture taking!

Sasha and Leo, aren't they cute?  Not playing their puppy games or being silly ...  But, wait.  It sort of looks like they may be still thinking about it.

See!  What did I say?  (Repressing their true feelings)

Anya and Vlad, dressed up, ready to celebrate, relaxing on our favorite couch, although I don't know why they don't have their legs up.  It's too bad they were only here for one day, but I am always glad to have people over, especially if they are having a good time.

Little by little everybody got drunker and happier.  Was it anticipation?  I think so, in fact, I think it's a very important part of any good time.  

Dressed up is right, look at dad!  It's not too often that we get a treat of seeing him like this.

Dad took his filming job VERY seriously!  We all got to be part of the movie and he didn't forget even the little details about the whole day (just watch it.)

Some were more willing than others to be models ... thus, you see more of them on this page!

Cute, again.  And they are not going to be silly, like others ...  Sometimes, but we didn't catch them on film this time.

Oh, speaking of being silly!  Yes, that's my husband, and we are proud of it.  Look at me, I am not even bitching, in fact, don't seem to mind at all.  (You know, sometimes I get crazy about things like this.)

True, I look a little too busy, but I love it, too.  Tim, on the other hand, looks very relaxed.  (Likes being the model, I get a feeling).  

OK, here we go.  The presents!

Usually, Sasha and Liza, being the little girls, get to be "snegurochkas".  This year they had to help each other out and switch every once in a while because the job of giving out the presents was rather time-consuming.

A couple of hours into the process, it seemed like it was becoming endless.  We have already taken a few breaks, for the dinner, for the concert, dad has already made several trips to the dumpster with our pretty bows and wrapping paper.  (By the way, it broke my heart each time it was ripped off and thrown out together with still perfectly usable box, but ... what was inside was calming me down.)

Mom volunteered to help out and be "snegurochka", but it didn't last very long, we had to fire her.  I guess, it takes skill and patience, to wait for each present to be unwrapped, looked at, passed around to be looked at and only then to give out the next one.  Sasha and Liza had to work some more.  Although, they did let Tim try it for a few minutes too at the very end.

Sometime during the big giving process, we decided to pause the insanity and perform our little concert, which, I think, is becoming a tradition.  This year the idea was to give each family a "homework assignment" to make a number for another family.  Liza and Tim exchanged wits with my mom and dad, Leo's parents performed for us, Leo and I sang for his parents and Sasha and Leo teamed up to sing for their mom.

Composing came from the heart and had to be extremely spontaneous for those who procrastinated until the last minute.  In fact, after just a couple of hours Leo and Sasha emerged from upstairs with a brand new song for mom and started diligently rehearsing until mom emerged from the shower and they had to quit.

               Camera, lights and microphone in place, Leo and Sasha are on.  Oh, dear.  What's stage fright?  Nervousness?  We all thought it went smoothly.  For example, just look at mom listening!

Leo and I were treated to an amazingly good performance from his parents.  It was the first time they participated in our concert and it was a truly successful debut.  Next year we have high expectations!  They sang us a sweet and funny song about us.  Anya must have been in charge of the words and stopped the performance once in a while to make sure they were singing correctly, but it was rather cute and funny.

Unfortunately, I don't have any decent pictures of everybody participating.  However, the video that we made is a very nice souvenir.  Here is another picture of Anya listening to Liza and Tim singing.  From what I hear, everybody loved everything, everybody's performance was special and that it was generally fun.  Glad to be hosting!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sonya.