
Hi everyone! I just got back from a very exciting trip. However, before I share my photos of my adventures, I have more posts to share about my memories of the past ten years. In this photo, I'm enjoying New Year! My family celebrates with a "elka," or New Year's Tree.

This is me in my courtyard in my rainboots that my dear friend Alaina sent me from Germany. I'm also wearing a beautiful sweater made by Qute from etsy.

On Valentine's Day in 2012, my moms gave me a giant balloon bouquet with red heart balloons, pink balloons, and a special balloon that says "I love you" in Russian. I was adopted from Khabarovsk, Russia when I was little, and my family loves Russian culture.

In April of 2012, I took a trip to New Mexico with my moms to visit my family there. While I am Russian, my Mama is American Indian and her family lives in New Mexico. This photo is of me after my family climbed up above Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

That summer, I traveled to the southwest again! In this photo, I am visiting Petroglyph Forest National park.

My family loves going to the beach. Here I am wading in the Atlantic Ocean at Jacob Riis Beach at the Gateway National Recreation Area.

In addition to big trips, my family also takes shorter trips. This picture is outside the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.

Another favorite family tradition is our annual trip to see The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. I normally don't like to wear dresses, but it's so fun to dress up when going to the theatre!

In 2013, my friends Zoya Yumiko and Violet celebrated the Japanese holiday of Hina Matsuri with me. We set up a set of Hello Kitty imperial dolls and Zoya gave me a special greeting card!

My family loves to celebrate Easter! Here I am wearing a dress (yuck!) and enjoying my Easter basket. Some years my family celebrates Orthodox Easter and some years we celebrate Catholic Easter, so I get to experience both!

I'd have to say that my favorite toys are Uglydolls! In the summer of 2013, there was a special Hello Kitty Icebat! See it in the back with the red bow?

Fête Paradiso was a really cool French-themed fair on Governor's Island. My parents took me to ride the rides and earn a Junior Ranger badge there. It was so cool to visit an island in New York harbor!

I also became a Junior Ranger at Hamilton Grange, the home of Alexander Hamilton. Little did I know how famous Alexander Hamilton was about to get!

In November 2013, I celebrated my birthday with a Totoro-themed birthday party! My friends Piper, Coral, and Violet were in attendance. Don't you love my Totoro hat?

I wore a beautiful gold dress to the Nutcracker that year.

My biggest trip of 2013 was to London in the United Kingdom! My Auntie Liz and Uncle Terry got married at the end of December and I was there to celebrate with my family. In this picture, I'm exploring the British Museum! It was amazing.
So those are the highlights of 2012 and 2013. Wow! When I look back at each year, I'm amazed at how privileged I am to explore our world. What were your favorite memories of those two years? See you next time as I remember 2014 and 2015!
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