Family Blog

Family Ace

2010-09-04T19:10:00.001-04:00

Best In Town!

2010-07-26T15:34:00.001-04:00

It's hard to believe that this is *better* than Vanda's!

Woody

2010-06-30T20:23:00.001-04:00

He titled this pic *Mannequin Heaven*.

But is that really heaven for those dolls?

As UJ would say, "What a bunch of stiffs!"

Easter 2010

2010-04-13T21:13:00.004-04:00

Who knew Auntie still had this game?!

DrMark's fetching piehole as captured by LittleJohn:

Second trimester?

DrTom's pink crapper finally bit the dust:

Some Photographic Catch-Up

2010-04-13T20:58:00.006-04:00

Chrissy was one of the orphans in a production of Annie.

Turkey 2009

2009-11-30T20:28:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-30T20:11:00.002-05:00

I have more pics which I'll post later on.

BUT, it'll be tough to compete with the above.

John's 5th B-Day

2009-11-16T07:53:00.001-05:00

Mark Hosts!

2009-10-18T22:33:00.012-04:00

Since he just finished unpacking....DrMark thought it appropriate to have a condo-warming party - even though it's been over two years since he moved to the People's Republic of Cambridge!

Jenn is definitely NOT having twins!

John might have taken that pic - but I think it was actually Christine's handiwork.

Yeah, I could easily see Wayne hanging out with the inverts, Commi's, and microbrew-drinking yuppies in Cambridge...

The random broad belongs to DrMark. She seems OK, but I couldn't tell as Grandpa monopolized her time. Click image to enlarge and fire away!

Vanda donned a new shirt and her old clumsiness. A couple of spills, an accidental fork stabbing,....

My father unsuccessfully tried to wave me off. But, I never really listened to him growing up.

Yeah, DrMark is apparently trying to shape up. Don't laugh. We really all ought to encourage his efforts.

I say GOOD FOR HIM!

A good time was had by all. My kids were even asking to go back before we left the commune.

Anne agreed. DrMark should be the new weekly host.

Though, cooking salmon and risotto for a dozen, as he learned, takes quite a bit of effort.

Next time, he really should do a one pan dish - like baked lasagna!

DrMark...

2009-10-11T13:04:00.003-04:00

Did not make the trip we were trying to plan. The old man was convalescing...

But we'll try again next year.

And hopefully KevinM, Joey, and others can get involved. Hiking is a good low-budget vacation for this lovely economy.

After all, it ain't like we have any upcoming weddings to meet up at.

John & Chrissy - Summer 2009

2009-09-07T21:21:00.036-04:00

Another Addition

2009-09-07T21:15:00.001-04:00

DanF and CathyF write on their blog:

What a day! Dylan was born on 9/4 at 8:24AM. 7lbs. 4oz... the exact same weight as his older sister - - and he is 20in., only a half inch shorter than her too. Everyone is doing great.

Wishing them all the best....

Weekend in Vienna

2009-08-23T13:44:00.028-04:00

Last weekend Natalka and I took a short trip to Vienna.

Landtmann Cafe

Saturday morning we met up with Adilia, an old friend of mine from my travels to Tashkent at Landtmann Cafe. Landtmann is a postcard perfect Viennese cafe, where one can order several kinds of coffee (I had the Maria Thereza with whipped cream and orange liquor) and table service is performed by formally dressed male waiters in bow-ties. After coffee we took a stroll through a nearby park just outside the Hofburg Palace. Adilia’s adorable two-year old, trilingual (German, Russian, English) daughter Sofia kept us thoroughly entertained the whole time. Sofia also provided an engaging photographic subject for the Chinese tourists, who had begun to flood the garden grounds under the late morning sun, one of whom kindly took the picture below.

Rathaus-Platz

We joined Joe and Valerie about midday at Rathaus-Platz (Town hall) and made our way toward Hofburg Palace, the Spanish Riding School and Stephansdom, to gather tour information.

After a light lunch we toured of the Imperial Apartments and the Sisi Museum in Hofburg Palace. Luckily for Natalka, an audio guide for the tour was available in Russian…I also opted for a Russian guide, Valerie took the tour in French, and we’re not sure which language Uncle Joe took…The tour attempted to capture the lives of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth in the 19 state and private rooms of the palace. Apparently the Empress would spend two to three hours have her long hair washed and styled (with a decadent shampoo that included Cognac), while being tutored in ancient and Modern Greek. By contrast, the Emperor lived a Spartan existence, sleeping on a hard steel bed and rising each morning at 3:30am to start his day. The Sisi Museum explores the controversial life of Empress Elizabeth, who felt great ambivalence towards the official duties of her position and spent much of her later life traveling across Europe incognito. On one such journey she was assassinated by Italian anarchist in Geneva in 1898 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_of_Bavaria

Dinner at Martinelli’s

Saturday night we had a great outdoor dinner at Ristorante Martinelli, where an Italian singer performed classical songs all night. This performance inspired Joe and Valerie to venture out for a few dances captured in the picture below. Below that is a great shot of my dessert, a delicious pistachio-mint semifreddo; I unwisely

offered a taste to Uncle Joe and Natalka and ended up sharing more of it than I had planned.

After dinner Natalka and I took a long stroll home through to enjoy Vienna at night. Along the way we passed Landtmann Cafe and the Rathaus-Platz.

High Mass at Stephansdom

Sunday morning Valerie, Natalka and I attended high mass in German at Stephansdom. The atomosphere was inspiring with the morning sun illuminating the altar before us under the sounds of organ music and beautifully sung hymns in German. Even though we understood very little of what was said or sung, the entire experience was quite moving.

Belvedere Palace

Belvedere Palace was built by Prince Eugene of Savoy, a French exile, who is considered Austria’s greatest general ever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Eugene_of_Savoy). Today the Belvedere is a museum that holds some of Austria’s most famous paintings, including “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kiss_%28Klimt_painting%29). This time Natalka was not so fortunate and had to rely on my translation skills as there was no Russian audio tour. Nonetheless, we were blessed with great weather, which made for great photos of the museum grounds, including the one below of Natalka.

Hofburg, Museum Quarter and Karlskirche (“St. Charles’ Church”)

Before dinner we took a quick stroll to our hotel, passing through the Hofburg grounds, stopping by the Museum Quarter, before arriving at Karlskirche, an amazing baroque church. It was late Sunday afternoon and our time in Vienna was running out.

Monument to Yuriy Kolshitzky

Yuriy Kolshitzky was originally from L’viv and served with Jan Sobieski, whose army played a decisive role in ending the Turkish siege of Vienna. King Sobieski gave Kolshitzky 300 sacks of coffee that had been abandoned by Kara Mustafa’s army. With this coffee Kolshitzky went on open the first coffee house in Vienna, a city world famous for its coffee tradition. Unfortunately, Natalka and I were unable to capture this monument on film (the batteries in our camera died by the time we found this monument ona tiny side street outside the Ringstrasse—the perfect metaphor for our condition after spending all day sightseeing under the August sun. Here is a picture of the monument that I found on the web.

Good-bye Vienna

Sunday night we rejoined Joe and Valerie for a farewell dinner. By this point Natalka had made lots of progress with her English, was somehow communicating with Valerie with little assistance from me--rarely did I hear her “Teem, translate pleez,” delivered in a cute accent that would remind one of Grandpa. Meanwhile Uncle Joe and I began debating Obama’s declining poll numbers, until Aunt Valerie firmly requested that we find another subject. All politics aside, Natalka and I are thankful to Joe and Valerie for their incredible generosity and hospitality—the trip wouldn’t have been the same without them. Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our trip, it was too short. Fortunately, Vienna is just a short flight from Lviv and we have a standing invitation from Adilia to return any time for a visit. Hope you enjoyed the photos…and hopefully, this is the first of many trips across Europe.

Baby Pool Update

2009-07-02T08:50:00.004-04:00

Whoever had Jenn in the baby pool - it's time to collect your winnings. Yes, the rumors are true (if there are any rumors), Jenn and I are thrilled to announce that we are expecting our first. While we're not planning to find out the sex of the baby, we have seen the little guy/girl and everything is in working order and in the right places. Thankfully, Jenn has been feeling great throughout the pregnancy.

The due date is December 20th. Though I've told Jenn to hold off until Jan 1st so we can secure the first baby of the new year and get some TV time.

Love,
Kevin and Jenn

Another Baby

2009-06-30T15:23:00.003-04:00

Maggie and Ryan just had a baby boy a few hours ago. 7 pounds and 6 ounces. The baby is fine but Maggie is vomiting quite a bit. And her stool is.....never mind.

The baby's name is under debate. Leading candidate is "Steele".

Wishing them the best.

Big Girl Pumping!

2009-06-28T22:01:00.002-04:00

We were up in Maine, camping last week.

Chrissy's 3rd Birthday

2009-06-15T09:56:00.002-04:00

And, here's a pic of Inez after I told her that I might have missed the video footage of the candles being blown out:

She cussed me out in front of 70 guests!

Spring is Sprung

2009-05-08T21:42:00.001-04:00

Chrissy The Ballerina

2009-03-30T22:28:00.001-04:00

Tim Update

2009-03-30T22:08:00.006-04:00

Dan,

If you are hard up for family blog material, here are some pictures from a ski trip that I took with Natalia earlier this week. Originally, our relatives Vassylko and Oksana were going to join me and Natalia for part of the trip, but they were unable to make the trip. Vassylko and Oksana lent us a whole bunch of ski gear, including two sets of skis, plus skiing clothing for me, and provided loads of info on accomodations and restaurants. Bukovel is a brand new ski area that was built just a few years ago...it has amenities that were unimaginable for Ukraine back when I was studying there in 93'-94. It was at once challenging and ultimately fun and rewarding to try after downhill skiing about 20 years after my first and only attempt...I took lessons from an instructor named Yuriy...who was also interested in my joining him on some cellular telecom/Internet business venture...Natalia was also helpful and extraordinarily patient...with advice and the real threat of a ski pole across the #ss for failure to heed said advice...as I advanced from the beginner to the intermediate slope by my second full day on skis. Now I know a lot of skiing terms in Russian that I didn't know before ;-) The picture of me from the top of the slope was taken near an intermediate slope...where we drank some mulled wine ("glintwein"), which gave me the necessary courage to make the descent... (I still fell on the way down...but the pictures of that episode...honest to God...are blurry and I'm too far away.)

On the way back to Lviv, we stopped in Ivano-Frankivsk (it's Polish name is Stanisławów), where I took the attached "Churchill picture." I've asked Mom to show it to Grandpa - I know he will be amused, given his feelings for Churchill's "betrayal" of Eastern Europe at Yalta. You'll have to help Mom viewing the pictures, since she doesn't know how to make them "bigger."

See you all at Easter,

Tim

John At Karate

2009-03-30T22:03:00.002-04:00

Family Dinner At Anne & Wayne's

2009-03-30T21:49:00.004-04:00

I had to include another similar shot with an agape UJ:

And one with Granda in her new outfit:

What did we have to eat?

Turkey and mashed if memory serves me.

Bowling Buddies

2009-03-20T12:33:00.003-04:00

TimL and Barack Hussein Obama....

In the same bowling league!

Here's the refresher.

I'm a bit surprised it stalled at 544 hits. Hmmmm.

Ryan's Chunks

2008-12-27T20:12:00.002-05:00

Even a downpour couldn't wash 'em away!

Too Many Mojitos?

2008-12-27T20:11:00.000-05:00

Or, as Helena calls them "Mojitas"!

Hairless Wonder

2008-12-27T20:09:00.003-05:00

Check that. There's one hair visible!

Who Is This Broad?

2008-12-27T20:06:00.002-05:00

Why Limit The Pool Of Potential Partners?

2008-12-27T20:01:00.002-05:00

Someone gifted DrMark a book titled "How To Get Married After 35".

Though apparently the book wasn't unisexual.

Jabronis

2008-12-27T20:00:00.002-05:00

Boxed Wine In A Champagne Flute?

2008-12-27T19:58:00.000-05:00

...For a 2.5 year old?

Call Social Services!

When The Box Of Wine Is Empty...

2008-12-27T19:57:00.002-05:00

Bud Light?

Christmas Corpulence

2008-12-27T19:55:00.001-05:00

Great Granny Annie!

2008-12-27T08:20:00.001-05:00

FIVE GENERATIONS

2008-12-27T07:48:00.003-05:00

On December 13th we celebrated Mum's, (Nana, Greatgrandma & Great-greatgrandma's) birthday & Trish's birthday. Trish & Matt brought their beautiful new son to meet the family and we took many pictures.
Worcester had just endured an awful ice storm and we were the only ones with power. Everyone enjoyed the heat, hot coffee and cell phone charging & email checking services that we offer.

Another Addition

2008-12-10T21:19:00.000-05:00

Louise is pregnant!

So I hear anyway.

Didn't know they got that much sun up in Canada...

John Turning 4!

2008-11-16T21:40:00.002-05:00

Well, we had his Star Wars themed party a little early.

Because Obama Won...

2008-11-10T13:56:00.001-05:00

TimL is moving to Ukraine - a less socialist country.

He took at job there and should be off in two weeks or so.

DrMark, Greatest American Hero

2008-11-10T13:52:00.004-05:00

We were watching this video and Chrissy kept saying, "I see Mark. I see Mark."

Last time she saw him (probably only the third time ever) had quite a *retro* wig and costume on. That must be the explanation.

Halloween

2008-10-31T21:10:00.002-04:00

Hopefully we'll see pics of their cousins all dressed up too.

Family Dinner

2008-10-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

Dinner was planned for Sunday at Anne and Wayne's. Nobody said they were coming so it was shifted to Helena's - then EVERYBODY decided to come. Even DrMark made the trip.

Tim was in town; either he was the main attraction or it was the free dinner. Let's just say that no one rang the door bell with their elbows.

The lasagna was delicious and, well, fully consumed. Wayne openly mourned the meager prospects for leftovers. He knew when Mel and Dr's Tom and Mark arrived that it was going to be a long shot anyway.

Banter was ubiquitous. One notable incident was when the entire family tried to describe *rainbow parties* to Vanda. She just couldn't comprehend the subject. One final question (from a sister) to her was, "Vanda, just think, WHERE IS THE RAINBOW?"

Vanda - Up in the sky. [said with supreme confidence]

The Kids Dressed Up For Halloween

2008-10-24T21:25:00.002-04:00

John Started Soccer!

2008-10-21T20:52:00.004-04:00

John had trouble with the last 12 inches of his first goal.

He had to use all his resources!

I have another video of John getting pulled down by some brute. I don't want to post it for fear of how his NanaL would react.

Here's another clip of both kids.

A Long Overdue Arizona Update

2008-10-19T22:46:00.007-04:00

Well, Dan L has harassed me enough!
Here is my "semi-annual blog" as he calls it.

Things have been crazy busy here in AZ this summer/fall!

First off, we had some major changes done to our home this summer-See pics above and below- It was an excruciating process to have people working outside our home at 6am 6 days a week for 2 and 1/2 months but it was well worth it! Sienna has a nice play area and a splash pad, we have a wonderful spa, and the best part- the CRAZY DOGS have a dog run area to mess up if they feel like it! You'll have to come check it out.....

So, August 3rd.....Sienna turned 1! Ryan's parents and sister came out to celebrate. She had a blast! I think that I sent pictures from that weekend already....

Sienna is learning everyday. She is starting to identify objects and her favorite thing to play with are books and balls. If you ask her what a cat says she'll say "MEOW!"... It is too cute! She is walking better and better each day- you may have seen the U-tube videos!

Sienna is also learning a few spanish words- "Agua," (water) "Memees"- this means sleepy and she says this when she wants to go to bed, and "rojo" (red- although she says "ojo") By the way, our Nanny wanted to work 5 days a week and since I wasn't planning on returning to work M-F we had to find a new nanny. So we are on Nanny #2-Mayra-but my friend Emily (her kids are 3 and 1 1/2) is on Nanny #12 so I don't think that is so bad that we had to change one time so far. Anyways Mayra is wonderful and Sienna just loves her!

Other than that, it's just work!work! work! I am still at my job Mon-Weds and then work from home for our business the other days while Sienna is napping. Of course Ryan is busy with our company and continues to gain new clients! Even with this "Terrible Economy!"

Up next- Thanksgiving with the Furlani's- they are coming down for a visit. We will be heading down to Mexico for some fun in the sun- and to check on the status of our condo. It's supposed to be finished in Dec/Jan- but we'll see......

Happy Fall! And looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas!

Love, Maggie, Ryan & Sienna

Lazy LittleJohn

2008-10-19T20:48:00.002-04:00

After a four month hiatus, he just updated his site with eight new pages of pics.

littlejohnswebsite.com

Such A Good Picture!

2008-10-18T16:16:00.003-04:00

From my golf trip to Naples last month.

Why do you old folks live up north again?

Christine...

2008-10-15T06:07:00.001-04:00

...realy loves Annie.

Back To HomeSchool Pic

2008-10-04T16:22:00.003-04:00

John goes to some pre-school thing two days a week, 2.5 hours at a time.

They got all excited there because they were making a "counting book". It was finally completed last week. It only went up to "5"!

Meanwhile, the prodigy can already count AND write up to 70.

Wait til you see these kids when I am done with them.