Pool and Hot Cocoa

Today started out sunny and a perfect temperature. The girls and I went for a bike ride before lunch. We had talked about them going for a swim in the pool Cliff put in the back yard. I told them after lunch would be a great time. Wouldn't you know it after lunch the clouds started to roll in and the temps dropped. But, the big girls were still up for a swim. Kira on the other hand opted to watch while covered up. They actually played longer than I thought they would. After getting dried and dressed I made us all some hot cocoa. The girls curled up for a cartoon and something warm to drink along with lots of marshmellows.

Back yard with pond (not full yet) and our blue swimming pool.

Madison, Kira & MacKenzie (R)

Kira relaxing in our hammock.

Madison picking a strawberry.

Kira, MacKenzie and Madison checking to see how big the tadpoles are in our pond.

Another fun day in Moscow.

Moscow, Russia

Where do I begin? Let's start from the day we left home for the hotel without our passports. No, we did not leave them at home. They were still some place over the US trying to get to us before we left for Moscow. We had sent our passports away to get the required Visa stamp inside and it was down to the wire and we only had hours before our flight left. We were to pick them up at a Fed-Ex drop off ramp at 8am the day our flight was to leave (10:10am). This was really cutting it close, but we thought we could do it since the Fed-Ex ramp was only 5 miles from the airport. We arrived at the airport plenty early to unload our 10 large suitcases, 6 carry-ons, one stroller, 3 children and 3 adults. I then ran to find a taxi with directions and tracking number in hand. I arrived there in time and was feeling pretty good.....until.....the 2 people behind the desk looked at me like I was an alien. "Package, what package?" Long story short. The passports were sitting on an airplane in Tennessee with maintenance problems. We had no choice but to change our tickets ($1800!!), rent another hotel room and pray that our passports arrived in time for our morning flight. The Fed-Ex people were very nice and called me at 6:30am to inform me that our passports had arrived. It was very stressful and we all let out a sigh of relief when we got on that first flight. But, part way into the second flight I felt that bit of stress again when I realized I had left our portable DVD player with some new movies on the first airplane. Gggggrrrrr

Well, we have made it safely and are about settled into our new place here in Moscow, Russia. It was quite stressful to say the least getting here, but that is behind us and we are excited to spend the summer with Cliff and enjoy this mansion we are living in. I always knew I would enjoy a "real" house with lots of room for all of us to spread our wings, but I didn't realize just how much until we arrived at our Russian "Dacha" or country home (oh and it comes with a housekeeper too).

We have a gated in house/yard with lots of room to run and play. The yard is all landscaped with a variety of flowers, bushes, trees all around, strawberry patch, etc. I think we will get to enjoy a lot of different blooms throughout the summer. We also are in a gated community that is very safe and easy to roam around in. The owner of the home is an American man who was married to a Russian woman. They have a little girl together who is now 9. This means the house came stocked with lots of goodies for the girls. There are tons of books -- a lot in English, toys, bike with training wheels, etc. Cliff did purchase two more bikes and there happens to be 2 adult bikes here also. So, we have all gone for bike rides together. The girls think that is pretty cool. There is a little playground not far from our house too.

Harold and Diana have been helping out a lot with the kids, unpacking, weeding the strawberries, gathering wood for our fireplace, cooking, etc. Some vacation, huh?! We did head to a Military Park this past weekend. They have army tanks that you can climb all over. We all had to try it out. Poor Diana was climbing off a tank and caught it on her capris and ripped a huge hole in them from about her knee to her hip. We were all trying so hard not to laugh, but didn't succeed. We had barely arrived at the park, so she had to wrap her hoodie around her waist and try to enjoy the rest of the day. It is a very beautiful park with walking trails, benches to take a break and lots of grass to sit and have a picnic in. There are also some pretty amazing statues and water fountains throughout the park. We all enjoyed our walk and time together exploring a tiny part of Moscow.

This was a very moving monument of the concentration camps. It just makes your stomach feel sick.

Since Harold and Diana leave on Sunday we are planning a trip to Red Square on Saturday. It is supposed to be 80 and partly sunny. So, a beautiful day to see such a famous place. We are going to pack snacks and drinks for the kids and hope to find something interesting to eat for the adults.

Here are some inside photos of our house:

Loft where the kids play a lot.

Steps to the Loft.

Diningroom and Livingroom.

Entryway

Kira's room.

MacKenzie and Madison's room.

Catching Up

I figured I better post and catch you all up before we being another new adventure (details to come in another post).

I did get a new computer and so far am loving it. I decided to get the Dell Studio. I had some recommendations, so I ran with it. I am in the process of getting used to it and all that it can do. And it is even pink! LOVE IT! :)

MOTHER'S DAY:

We went to brunch at Izaty's Golf and Yacht Club. It was most of the Hamilton gang. The girls did a great job and even let me enjoy my food. Then we headed home and spent the day just hanging out.

Grandpa and Grandma with most of the grandkids. We are missing Dustin, Lacey, Dianne and Summer.

MY BIRTHDAY:

I got to spend the day shopping without kids. I had a lot of things to get for our new adventure, so I spent a full day crossing off items on my lists. The girls went to see their cousin, Dustin, play baseball with Grandma and Grandpa along with their cousins, Dianne and Summer. I think they had a great day too. My husband surprised me with a heart shaped diamond necklace. It is beautiful!

That pretty much covers the main events since my computer crashed.

Back!

Just a quick note to let you know I have my new computer and will be blogging again soon......

Broken

Our computer is broken. Boo Hoo! I will be in the process of getting a new one. I will post as soon as I can.

No Plans for Easter

Mommy and her girls.

MacKenzie (L), Kira and Madison

We arrived back from Arizona two days before Easter. Originally we didn't have anything planned for the weekend. Then my good friend, Ahmi, decided to spend the Holiday with us. We were excited since we thought neither of us had any Easter plans. Then plans started to roll. My husband's family decided to have Easter dinner at my in-laws even though they were still in Arizona. This is great for us since we live 1/4 mile away from their house. It was great to see everyone and the food was awesome. The girls had a blast with their cousins and pretty much passed out when we got home. All of this was on Saturday.

MacKenzie (L), Madison & Kira

Then a last minute get together was planned for my side of the family. We met at the Casino's Easter buffet. This was also great for us since the Casino is about 15 minutes away. The girls did great and even got to see the Easter Bunny that decided to hang out in the restaurant. They thought that was pretty awesome. Ahmi came along for the fun. I teased her that she was going to end up on both sides of our families trees because she gets to come to lots of family functions with us -- which we love!



The girls also looked for their Easter baskets whey they got up Sunday morning. It was so fun to see them search the house

Kira

Madison

MacKenzie
So, for having nothing planned we sure had a great weekend filled with family and friends! The only thing that was missing was my wonderful husband and my wonderful in-laws. We missed you all!



Hope you all had a great Easter weekend.

Arizona Fun

My wonderful Mother and Father-in-law invited us to spend some time with them at their place in Arizona. They spend a few months down there every winter and wanted to share some of the fun (and sun) with the girls and I.



The girls on the airplane to Arizona. They were excited to see Grandma and Grandpa and the big swimming pool.


Enjoying the hot tub.


Going for a ride around the park (retirement community).


We even managed to fit in a playdate with fellow Minnesotans (The Stotts). Gabe and Jody have 3 little boys (Hayden 4 1/2, Tucker, 3 and Jacoby, 6 months). We spent a good chunk of the day at a park near their house. The kids had a blast and the adults had a great visit.


The girls loved this water wings. They really got good at swimming by the time we left.


Me and my girls.


The girls even got to color some eggs.


Harold and Diana's good friends, Maurie and Ardean have a place just a few doors down. It happened to be on our route to the pool. So, every day the girls would stop and play in the fountain and check the eggs for candy (which happened to get refilled every day). This was a big part of our day. :)


Grandma, Grandpa and the girls.


The Hamilton Gang.


The flight home. All 3 girls slept most of the flight. I guess fun in the sun really wears a girl out.

We had such a great time. It was relaxing for me and full of activities for the girls. I just hope Grandma and Grandpa aren't too worn out. :) Thanks for the fun Harold and Diana! We love you both.