Happy New Year 2007!

We rang in the new year with tens of thousands of Chileans downtown on Alameda Street, which had been closed off to traffic to accomodate all the revelers who had gathered to watch the spectacular fireworks. I wasn't sure we were going to get Bill out of the apartment; once he learned the Bears' game against the Packers was on ESPN, I didn't think we'd be able to budge him from the couch. But I guess me standing in front of the television during key plays and telling Bill the Bears were going to get creamed by Green Bay helped motivate him to get up and out of the apartment.

The scene downtown was wild and the crowd was great. We counted down the old year in Spanish and then joined everyone with a "Feliz Año Nuevo!" as the Entel Tower exploded with a dazzling fireworks display. We were covered with confetti and champagne and hugs and kisses from everyone, Bill even got a big abrazo from one of the carabineros!

What a perfect good-bye to an awesome year that has brought us so many new friends and incredible experiences and lots of invaluable time together as a family. We look forward to the adventures ahead in 2007 and wish all of you a great year of excitement and discovery, health and happiness, and much love and peace!

Click for more pictures from New Year's Eve: http://picasaweb.google.com/bdoody61/2006_12_31NEWYEARSEVE