Chrissy The Ballerina

Tim Update

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

Family Dinner At Anne & Wayne's

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

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

Even a downpour couldn't wash 'em away!

Too Many Mojitos?

Or, as Helena calls them "Mojitas"!

Hairless Wonder

Check that. There's one hair visible!

Who Is This Broad?

Why Limit The Pool Of Potential Partners?

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

Though apparently the book wasn't unisexual.

Jabronis

Boxed Wine In A Champagne Flute?

...For a 2.5 year old?

Call Social Services!

When The Box Of Wine Is Empty...

Bud Light?

Christmas Corpulence

Great Granny Annie!

FIVE GENERATIONS

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

Louise is pregnant!

So I hear anyway.

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

John Turning 4!

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

Because Obama Won...

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

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

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

Family Dinner

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

John Started Soccer!

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

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