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After we wrote our Christmas letter last December, we went to England for Christmas and New Year because it was John's parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary. We rented a house in the centre of Guildford, walking distance from all the shops, which pleased the girls very much. On Christmas Day, John's sister, Ann, cooked a magnificent turkey with all the trimmings, which was carved by her husband - Terry. All the immediate family were there, except for Robin (Ann and Terry's son) who was working on a North Sea oil rig. We missed him!

Christmas Tree

Christmas Dinner, Emily, Ellen, Beccy & Marian

Terry carving the turkey

The main event for the Russell/Kimber families was on 30 December, when the Queen sent a card congratulating Edward and Margaret Russell on their 60th Wedding Anniversary. We took them out for a nice lunch at a cozy country inn called "The Withies".

The Queen's Card

60 Years Together

Emily tries out a Knickerbocker Glory

In April, Beccy represented the Vienna International School at a Model UN Conference in Milan. This works like a UN meeting and gives the participants a feel for what it is like to be a delegate at such a meeting (Beccy was a delegate from Brazil). In April, Marian was sent by her work to the UK for a training course and was unexpectedly rewarded with an extra very enjoyable week at John's parents thanks to the volcano in Iceland which grounded all flights home. Marian could not get a replacement flight, so travelled back to Austria via the Eurostar to Paris, high-speed train from Paris to Germany, and overnight sleeper from Germany to Austria. In May, Emily and Beccy represented the school at a softball tournament in London. John continues to run with the Vienna Hash House Harriers.

Beccy delegate from Brazil

Beccy & Emily in London for Softball

John as "Lord Glo-Balls"

At the beginning of June, we all went to the the Vienna International School for Emily's Graduation and were able to have some nice photos take by a professional photographer.

Emily receiving her Diploma

The Russell Family

The Russell Family

Emily & Beccy

In June, Marian travelled to Florida to be present at the birth of her second granddaughter, Samantha, who was born the day after she arrived. Here are photos of Samantha, her sister Tiffany, and the proud parents (Margaret and Chris).

Tiffany & Samantha

Mom and her daughters

Proud Dad

Samantha

Tiffany

Samantha & Tiffany

Tired Mom

At the end of June, Beccy travelled to New York to attend a summer school in fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design. She met various people from the TV show "Project Runway" which uses this school as its base, including Tim Gunn.

Out on the town (Big Apple)

In the dormitory

The class of 2010

Beccy with Tim Gunn

At the end of July, Beccy returned to Vienna and Emily travelled to London to attend a summer school in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). She stayed in Gower Street, just down the road from her father's alma mater (University College London). While at RADA, Emily met and spoke with Alan Rickman and Bonnie Wright, and stood next to Richard Attenborough in the lunch line.

RADA

RADA Summer School 2010

Emily leading a pack of Dogs

In August, Emily was accepted at Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and John finished a complete redesign of the ZIMO Website and put it into production (this was a nine-month project, part-time, although it felt like full-time near the end). ZIMO is a small Austrian company that produces hardware and software for the digital control (DCC) of model railways. In September, John went with Emily to England to help her get settled at university. She returned to Vienna on 11 December for a four-week break, managing to just miss all the air traffic chaos caused by very bad weather in England and Europe.

Packing for Uni

Emily & Friends in front of Founders

Atmospheric shot with Josh

Ready for a Masked Ball

Emily & Friends in the Christmas mood

Emily & Friends with Santa Claus

In December, Beccy took part in a Fashion Gala. She created five designs, made the clothes and found friends to model them. She also helped another friend with her designs and was the model for two other designers.

Katia Grosheva

Katie Crosby

Lucy Benbow

Isia Szopa

Ilona Selina

We hope that you have had a really good year and that the coming year will be a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous one for you and your loved ones.