This past weekend we went to the annual "Festival of Lights" at Zilker Park (in Downtown Austin). This year, due to the economy, the festival was free. After going to the Christmas light show at Schlitterbahn last year, this one wasn't that impressive. But then again, Schlitterbahn was $15 to get in, and this was free, so you can't really complain.
For the first time ever, Sara didn't run away in fear of Santa Claus. This time she ran to Santa and hugged him as if he were Mickey Mouse.
This year I'm not working on the holidays. I have a week off from work so it will be nice to spend some time with the family. I'm not travelling back to California this year, having spent an enormous chunk of our savings on a down-payment for our new house (and it's not like my brother is inviting me to visit, anyway). Our home loan was finally approved last week, so now our finances are pretty tight. We might go back to visit next year, though. I'm happy that this will be our final Christmas in an apartment.
For the first time ever, Sara didn't run away in fear of Santa Claus. This time she ran to Santa and hugged him as if he were Mickey Mouse.
This year I'm not working on the holidays. I have a week off from work so it will be nice to spend some time with the family. I'm not travelling back to California this year, having spent an enormous chunk of our savings on a down-payment for our new house (and it's not like my brother is inviting me to visit, anyway). Our home loan was finally approved last week, so now our finances are pretty tight. We might go back to visit next year, though. I'm happy that this will be our final Christmas in an apartment.
(Pictures: 1. Sara and Kyle at the Christmas party in San Marcos. 2. Meeting Santa in Zilker Park. 3 Santa's House. 4. Humpty Dumpty at the Festival of Lights. 5. Christmas bears)
Ken --
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's Christmas Eve, I wanted to share some exciting news: The Senate just passed a historic health reform bill.
In all the back and forth, it's easy to lose sight of what this incredible breakthrough really means. But consider this: This Christmas, there are millions of Americans without health insurance who risk losing everything if they get sick.
There are mothers and fathers who wonder how they'll provide for their children because an illness has wiped out their savings. There are small business owners who worry that they'll have to lay off a long-time employee because the cost of insurance is rapidly rising.
If we finish the job, all this can change. We will have beaten back the special interests who have for so long perpetuated the status quo. We will have enacted the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important health reform since Medicare in the 1960s.
In Decembers to come, millions more will have access to affordable coverage. Parents will have the security and stability of knowing their insurance can't be revoked at a moment's notice. And the skyrocketing costs plaguing our small businesses will be brought under control.
When you make calls, write letters, organize, this is the change you're making -- a better life for your family and for men and women in every state.
There is still more to do before I can sign reform into law -- a last round of negotiations and final votes in the Senate and the House -- and I'm counting on your help every step of the way. But for now, I hope that as you celebrate this holiday season, you remember that the work you are doing is making our union more perfect, one step at a time. For that, I am grateful to you.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
President Barack Obama