Getting Ready for the BIG Move

The past two and a half months have been super busy....a lot busier than I could imagine, trying to get ready for our move to Tokyo. We have been spending, and planning, and researching (for all of you who know Scott and I, I know this isn't a surprise!!) like mad. I feel like we are about as ready as we are ever going to be, and I think everyone one of us is ready to just get it started.

Maya and Hanna both had their last days in school this week, which included Christmas parties, movie days and getting to say goodbye to all their friends...overall, it was a great week, with a bit of sadness (like crying for about 3 hours on Maya's Christmas party day...her teacher, who was out on medical leave, made a surprise appearance, and made it very special for Maya...but that was when it clicked for her that she was not going to be coming back to Room 10 after break!). Hanna, who is much less attached to her preschool, thought it was great that she got to run the show for her last day in class....she says she will miss her friends, her class, but as of now, she is not quite as emotional about it. She has been super sad about leaving her daycare, Melissa, and all her friends there though.

We had a lot going on this week with last time get togethers (thanks Tricia, Joell & Chris, Wayne & Renee, and all of my Tennis friends)- what a great week it was for me personally. It also hit me though, that I won't get to see all my friends for awhile....I think I have been so busy that I didn't even think about it up until then. Scott had his work party as well...where he/we got to say goodbye to some of our friends there...

Now, we are hoping to enjoy the week of Christmas before we have to start cracking on the 26th. The movers are coming on December 28th and 29th, and then we are outta here... :( We have exactly one week left in our house...which is quite sad to think about. Our travel plans are as follows:
December 28 & 29: movers are here...staying in a local hotel, and having one last night of fun with the Van Winkle's, Sobell's and the Filary's.
December 30 & 31: At Scott's mom and dad's in the Detroit area
January 1-3: Spending some good, quality time at Scott's brother Greg's, in Dallas, TX. We are really looking forward to seeing them, getting to see their home for the first time, and visiting. It has been way too long!!
January 4: Hop on our flight direct from Dallas to Narita airport...will be on the plane overnight, and will arrive in the afternoon on the 5th.
January 5: Staying in Tokyo at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo...
January 6: Move into our new apartment
January 8: Hanna's 4th birthday...any ideas for what to do in a new city??
January 11: Maya starts school at ASIJ, and reality begins for the Garrison's!

This is going to be a LOOOONNGGG 10 days for our family, but we are hoping for the best!! For anyone who wants to visit, please let me know- we would love to see you!!

Happy Holidays, take care, and please KEEP IN TOUCH!!!