RUSSIAN RECAP!

What an amazing adventure.
Wednesday: arrived around 5 in a snowstorm! Seemed fitting! We had to fill out a Russian customs card!Yeah Andy!I'd still be there!) David met us at the airport..what a beautiful sight! He then hired a taxi (proud of your Russian ability David)
Love their apartment...you know David and Erin they can make anyplace look good!
Met their foreign fellow workers and Russian language helpers at a get together in the apartment.
Were VERY ready for bed!
Thursday:David and Andy went out and about and had lunch.
Friday we puttered around, shopped with David and Emma. The grocery store was very different and yet much the same.
Saturday we ALL went on a bus to the subway, took 3 different subways and ended up at Red Square. Well worth seeing. At lunch at MacDonald's...our first smiles from Russians! Yeah Mcydees! Walked around the huge mall there wanted to buy a fur hat but Andy wouldn't let me...on sale for $300. Wise Andy. In the square hawkers were selling them for $10 US bucks..supposedly...they knew I wanted one but Andy steering me away...wonder if they were good ones???? I'll never know. If you are going to live in Russia you must learn to walk!!!!!! And walk fast if you are going out with David...Run if you are going out with Erin! New Year's Eve we stayed in and just finished our Scrabble game when 12 midnight hit. Then the fireworks started and didn't stop till after 6.30 a.m. They were everywhere...literally! I'm amazed the kids didn't wake up. There was nothing on the television but prerecorded speech by Putin. So we don't know what went on in Red Square. Should have gone!
Sunday we started walking the 45 min to church but we were late and had to take a bus so Erin went back to the apartment with the boys....The service was at 9.30 in Russian ... with English translation...or in English with Russian translation. Good people....good service of sharing.
Monday: I don't know what we did! Wait! I think we babysat! That's the day Emma and I tried grocery shopping together! And we got to know the boys...better late then never! They just couldn't figure out who these strange people were in their little house.
Tuesday: David, Emma and I had a fabulous time shopping for Josiah's birthday! We took a bus to a mall nearby, got Andy's glasses fixed at a Lenscrafter type place, had a latte (I think) at Mac Donald's! Took a couple subways and another bus to IKEA! We walked around the mall first, very upscale..huge ice rink in the middle...tons of people. When we finally hit Ikea the afternoon crowd had arrived and you could hardly walk. But David is a great shopper and was good at getting through the crowds! We ate there which was cool then David called a taxi to drive us home! THANK YOU David. I was trying to be brave thinking about the bus then the subway then another bus.....yikes! Thanks for a fantastic day David...a wonderful memory for a mom! Then we had Jo's birthday! He was so cute! (Aside: I'd heard about Russian bathrooms where you get your TP outside the stall...don't forget! and people stand on the seat rather than sit...but the places I used (fancy mall in Red Square, Ikea....were clean and pretty normal)
Wednesday: time to leave....David negotiated us through the bus, subway, train ride to the airport. Then we had some time together before leaving. It was good to be in familiar territory but so hard to leave. Keep up the good work David and Erin and even though this is almost a month late .... thanks so much for making us so comfortable and taking such good care of us and most of all for letting us babysit the kids for one day! 

The boys warm up!

After our day of babysitting Josiah and Hudson warmed up and we could play with them. We should have done that right away maybe. They are sweet boys and I'm glad they know us now. Josiah loves trying on clothes! He really enjoyed his birthday especially his truck from his mom and dad! 

Don't let her play video games!

I love them. But I don't want to stop till I get better which is impossible when you have no hand eye coordination. Here Emma is beating me at racing cars! Really! See the difference in the way we are dressed? 

Getting reacquainted!

I had a GREAT time playing with Emma. (If you know personality stuff.. I am an otter!)Last year when she lived with us we didn't have so much time time together and it was always shared with Ocean and Sierra. She is very good at GO FISH! We colored alot! (she stays inside the lines!) And generally had a wonderful time together. You should see her walk! Amazing...and just doesnt' get tired out. Never naps...stays up late...Yikes! And she is a wonderful big sister! Cheerful and positive...well most of the time! 

English Scrabble with Russian Alphabet!

Now that's a challenge! We played three times...I won all three! (Erin has some doubt about some of my words..but I hold fast!) We bought the game at the airport but haven't had enough mental energy to try it here at home! We will I promise you! It helped me learn the Russian alphabet so I could begin to read signs etc. Its discouraging to David and Erin that they aren't fluent yet but let me tell you! Its hard! 

Learn to like Mayonnaise with EVERYTHING

We enjoyed three Russian meals a day. We admire David and Erin so much for trying in every way to live like Russians! I never did dare drink the milk but they do! I did however shop in the little store 1/2 block away. What an experience. I wasn't even sure how to go into the store! Ask me! Then to find something familiar....I did recognize 'Uncle Ben' hoping it was Tomatoe sauce I brought it home. That's another thing remembering to buy only so much as you can carry home. Emma was an invaluable help to me! (I remembered at the last minute to carry her passport, which must be on you at all times!) 

This is how you dress in Russia!

I was so glad I had my 'fur' coat and hat! Although most of the time I was almost too warm. Andy needs a fur hat to look truly Russian! Except that he was sick the whole time (we were thinking pnuemonia) we had an amazing time. 

The beautiful blob you see is...

Amy & Garron's baby boy, Solomon Honour Jon Rish! Click twice to make it larger! We just had an 'It's a boy' celebration dinner!

Charlotte visits the Great White North

HI EVEYONE! yes we arrived safely and are having a wonderful time. There is snow but its not all that cold. ..just very very grey! Getting around with 3 kids in the city with no car is a HANDFUL! I am so impressed with Erins energy! New years was different..We went to red square in the mornning..very impressive..but decided to stay in at night. sorry Peter! The fireworks outside our window all over the city were amazing and went on till 6.30 am! Today is like Christmas ...everything closed and gifts given. Tomorrow we babysit so David and Erin can have a break/date..