Monday, May 30, 2011

Out and About

Since Grandma Judy has been here we have been trying to keep busy and get out as much as possible.  Last week we met up with our buds the Klassens.  They will be staying in Samara this summer also for which I am super thankful about.  The boys love hanging out with "Auntie" Heather and the kiddos.


Jojo and Bri getting spun around.  Last year Bri spun Nathan
around on a similar apparatus at a different park and poor 
Nathan lost his whole dinner.  We made sure Nathan didn't
get spun around too much this time!


 
Em and Nathan-little buds!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Freestyle Walking

The other day we went on a walk but after a while the boys got quite tired so we stopped to rest a little.  As we were resting 3 teenage boys jumped off the roof of the grocery store and started jumping around some concrete blocks.  I just googled what they were doing and it's called "freestyle walking".  I remember seeing a documentary on this over a year ago and how it has gained popularity all over the world.  It was pretty cool but after a while the manager of the grocery store came out and yelled at the boys to leave................otherwise I would have gotten some better pix!

This part kinda scared me!


Saturday, May 21, 2011

Grandma Judy is Here

Jon's mom arrived yesterday and the boys are so excited to have her here!  She is getting acclimated to the time change which is so hard to do.  Yesterday and today the boys woke up super early and eager to see their grandma but she has been sleeping in as her body has to get used to the 9 hour time difference.
Today we got out and about a little and walked quite a bit.  We went over to the Afghan memorial but unfortunately the tulips have all withered now.


Then we walked over to one of the fountains. 

After the fountains we headed back home but made a pit stop to buy some ice cream cones!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

First Missing Tooth

Jojo finally lost his first tooth!  It was quite an exciting time in our home on Monday when I pulled it out.  His adult tooth was growing right behind it as you can see in the picture.  It's called "shark teeth" and happens every once in a while.  Everything I've read says the adult tooth will move forward.............I sure hope so!  So, Monday night I gave him the tooth to put under his pillow and in the morning he found 100 rubles (around $3.75).  I told him the next tooth won't get as much money!  Tuesday night he came to me and asked me if he could have his tooth back.  I asked him why.  He then said he was going to put it under his pillow again so I could put more money under his pillow.  Nice try Jojo!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Spring Is Here

One of my favorite things to do during Spring is to walk over to an Afghan Memorial near our home.  It is absolutely beautiful with tulips blooming around the memorial.  Tulips are my favorite and I love
turning the corner and seeing all the tulips in bloom!





Tuesday, May 10, 2011

A Message For Mom

                       I guess Jojo wants to watch television instead of playing!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Church Work Day

Once a year on a Saturday shortly after all the snow has melted our church has a work day.  Usually Jon goes to it but this year I begged to go and work.  I love yard work and since we live in an apartment there isn't any of that for me to do.  I got to collect trash!  Amidst a ton of beer glass bottles I found 2 car fenders, a rotten milk carton, a jaw bone with teeth (which I'm hoping belonged to a dog), plates, tile, and many more trinkets. 








Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Transport

I mainly get around town on foot or by transport.  Usually Jon is gone Monday - Friday during the day so if there is anywhere far I want to go on those days I have to take transport.  When I lived in California, I took the bus once in my life.  I remember thinking how odd it was, but here in Russia it is a way of life.

Taking transport with both boys is another story and in the winter time it can be quite an ordeal but I have it easy considering that 2 of my fellow team mates have 4 or more children.  Driving a car is something I once took for granted.  There are many days when I wish I could just throw the kids in the car and get away somewhere.  Over a year ago we added my name to the papers in order for me to be able to drive here but I have only done so on a few occasions.  The other drivers here are insane plus the road conditions are pretty scary.  Not to mention my constant fear of getting pulled over by a police officer or running someone over with the car.  Oh, and I totally forgot about the traffic...............it can at times put the 405 freeway to shame on a Friday afternoon.  So, I pretty much stick to my two feet and transport.

 
The boys waiting for our "marshrutka" so we can meet daddy for lunch.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Rachel and Leah

The other day, completely out of the blue and with no context whatsoever, Jojo came up to me and asked me :  "Why did that guy in the Bible marry two sisters?"  We haven't even been reading about Jacob, actually our family devotionals have been in the New Testament lately.  This is typical Jojo though and Jon would say it is typical me too.......random thoughts and questions here and there.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sometimes.....................

I come into the room and see this sweet picture.  Sometimes the boys act like they are best buds.  Sometimes the boys don't fight over the Transformers or Legos or who gets to sit in this or that spot.  Sometimes Naynay doesn't cry and Jojo doesn't complain.



Just sometimes................