Trip to John Day, Oregon

We finally made it to John Day in Oregon--Alyosha's birthday wish come true. If you ask him a question he will find a way to include dinosaur, paleontologist, fossil, petrified wood or something of that genre in the answer--no matter the question. We had a beautiful time and a peaceful weekend in Eastern Oregon. The geography is just amazing there. While we were rolling through we couldn't help but imagine what the pioneers were thinking when they were traveling this way to make their homestead somewhere in this vast silence yet enormous explosion of land. I describe the great rifts and bulges almost like being on the moon. Enormous hills and valleys--then cracks so you can see 50 million years worth of layers like an epic tale unfolding as quickly as you can lay your eyes on a new inch of earth.

On the road to John Day. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We were all beginning to get a cold-or maybe the swine flu, you never know, but as soon as we got into the dry sunny high desert, the sniffles and coughs disappeared.

The kids were pretty good--reading books and marveling out of the window

Alyosha put his eyes on every piece of dust floating around John Day. He found a fossil or imprint in everything--and even though we weren't allowed to disturb the environment in the monument, Alyosha still came home with a ton of rocks. (most were legitimate finds in places that are legal--Alyosha follows the law to the letter, no matter how much he would want to keep something, he wouldn't if it isn't allowed.)

Barry, the camp host, told us about a special place that had exposed volcanic ash from a volcano that erupted about 12 million years ago. The ash has been compressed to fragile rocks--kind of like chalk. If you look closely, you can see imprints from the plants when this area was a swamp and horses, camels, bear-dogs and rhinos lived in the area. So much to discover if you search out. Alyosha's best find here was a 'rock' that had tree ring imprints--a tree that lived 12 million years ago.

adventures of a paleontologist

Luka was more interested in finding poop--not the fossilized kind. You can even tell what he is saying in the photo!

We stayed 3 nights in the Fish House Inn in Dayville and Barry was our host. He was wonderful and warm. He told us some secrets about the area and just shared about life in general in Eastern Oregon--pretty opposite from life in Portland, but still interesting. People come from all over the world to study at the fossil beds. This is pretty much in the middle of no where. There is one cafe, occasionally open and a Mercantile--for sale--by the way. I will admit that we imagined buying the little Mercantile and fostering the kids interest in everything ancient and turned to stone. Even better, there is a little ranch for sale next to the Dayville Mercantile--perfect to host a R.V. and camping site...any takers on our Eastern Oregon adventure?

The Fish House Inn is in the background here. We cooked out on the grill they provided every evening. I am sure the cafe in Dayville was nice, but we had German brats and steak with Washington state Merlot and whole milk, depending on your age... It was DELICIOUS.
We did a 3.4, can't leave out the .4--you will see why, a 3.4 mile hike with the kids up and down the Blue Basin Trail inside the fossil beds monument. The kids, excluding Niki, walked the entire trail. According to the official travel guides, the Blue Basin Overlook hike is "Strenuous, 600 ft. elevation gain. A strenuous, but rewarding, loop trail brings you to a spectacular vista overlooking the John Day River Valley. It is dusty in places and may be impassable in wet weather" Alyosha and Luka hiked every step of the 3.4 miles and they explored and wondered at everything-the complaining was minimum and only for food--which we stopped for 2 snacks along the way. They enjoyed the hike and the beautiful fresh air. Four hours for 3.4 miles isn't too bad. I love it, and it is really encouraging for when the boys get older; we are going to get into even more amazing adventures together.

Papa and Niki at the start of our hike. It was chilly, but perfect for our hike. The sun was shining and the air was crisp and fresh. At the beginning of the trail we had 2 choices; either the .75 mile walk inside the valley or the 3.4 mile hike around the valley. We looked at each other and wondered which road to choose--the difficult one was a thousand times worth it.

Alyosha and Luka spotted a deer that was finished off by a cougar a while ago. Of course, the deer skeleton wasn't a deer on our discovery mission--it was a plant eating dinosaur who stopped to take its last drink in the ancient river then got attacked by a velociraptor and died here.

One of our picnic stops. We had sandwiches and apples on the side of the trail and only a couple of other hikers passed us along the way. October is definitely the best time to come here. You can really experience the quiet and the significant spirituality of the area when you have it to yourself.

Look at that view in the background. Luka kept saying "it is dangerous, dangerous" because the trail was so steep on one side. He kept imitating falling down the slope with his sounds..luckily not his body. I held his hand the entire walk!

Bench brake on the walk. Luka didn't want to sit still--keep going, keep going. We are only a third of the way through at this rest stop.

Here we are at the peak. The blue-green claystones began as volcanic ash-falls deposited 28 million years ago by the ancestral Cascade Mountains. These volcanoes were precursors to those active today like St. Helens. I want to emphasize--that is volcanic ash--that has been compressed for 28 million years. Can you imagine the volcano that erupted? Those eruptions are inspiration for almost every picture Alyosha paints right now.

Niki needed his snacks about every .75 miles too. He loved the fresh air and the hike just as much as we did. Roma made sure not to miss a step either--I don't think that Niki would enjoy a roller-coaster fall down the Blue Basin into the valley.

Roma's reasoning for staying ahead of Luka and I on the downhill of the trail was so that he could catch us in case we fell down the 'dangerous' slope. Can you picture Roma jumping with Niki to grab onto Lukas 'arm' (leg in Luka language) before he slips over the edge? That is a scene for a movie.

grand

Luka looking over his triumph.

Here is a picture of all of us on the downhill slope of our hike.

The daze after a hike is a good feeling

Exploration in the old West

This barn has been here for over a hundred years--this used to be a prime sheep herding area. Unfortunately sheep wool production doesn't pay off anymore and cattle have taken over.

Alyosha the photographer

Our car is comfortable and made the trip smooth and cool. We don't use it in the city much, but I am so thankful that we have it--and that it is paid off!

That is Sheep Rock in the background. Sheep Rock, is 1,100 feet above the John Day River.

Here we are on the 45th parallel, exactly between the equator, my home climate, and the North Pole, Roma's home climate. It is a perfect compromise for us--maybe we should move here.

Spending time in the beautiful outdoors

Well, this one isn't outdoors, but I just like this picture.

Our friend, Anna, let us come to her backyard orchard and pick pears from her trees. They are so delicious-even Niki is having a taste. It looks like he is sneaking one!

Here is our sweetheart! Sitting up on his own like a pro.

Alyosha is a great big brother, taking care of the other two. I can't believe that he is starting Kindergarten in a few weeks.

Curly-Q's on your Heart Strings

Fresh Pictures of Nikolai here, he is growing and changing so fast it is unbelieveable. He is so ready to be like his big brothers and run and roll all over the floor.

Niki is so sweet that we just want to eat him up.

Look at this little boy, he can sit all on his own! I was letting him pretend to drink from my cup this evening at dinner and we heard a "clink, clink, clink"--A tooth! There is a little bottom tooth starting to pop out!

The boys finished their summer reading program...the 6th one for Alyosha and the 1st one for Niki--Of course it is the 3rd for Luka. They have each of their shirts from the previous years and are very proud of their reading, um, listening to me and Roma reading, skills. I told Alyosha that if he wants to earn his shirt next year, he must read the books himself by next summer!!

Niki gets to hang out with the bears at CHAP while we are doing our work.

Possum Kingdom State Park

This is the train that we took out to Possum Kingdom Lake for our 4 days of camping out in Texas in June just before the official start of summer. It was hot and we sweated our way through the day and listened to the crickets chirp us to sleep at night.
It actually wasn't too bad. When you keep in mind that this area has been inhabited by people for the past 10,000 years, you know that the luxury we had of modern tents to keep out the flying and annoying bugs and the soft air mattress to get us up off the hard ground--it makes it easy to enjoy roughing it. We even had air conditioner to give us some reprieve from the hottest part of the day. The lake was cool and felt wonderful. I actually enjoyed sleeping outside under the blanket of stars and the quiet night. It is funny that it still feels quiet even though there are a million crickets chirping in unison.
Patricia and Jeremy joined us for the first two days. They are babysitting Harley while Stacy is off exploring the Greek Isles. They supplied us with plenty of beer and bratwurst, two necessities when you are camping out! The boys loved that Aunt Trish came to swim with them.
Niki had his first experience with the red waters of the Brazos.
Granny came and camped out with us too. Harley kept her company in her camper during the night. Luka was pretty wary of the boat at first and he stayed put right next to Granny so he wouldn't fall off of the boat.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was just riding on the boat in the lake. It seems so peaceful and the air is so fresh.

Trisha and Alyosha on the tube behind the boat. Luka didn't like it too much, but I think Aleks will be the first on the water every time. I am sure Luka will join him when he is just a couple years older.

Niki had his own life-jacket and stayed in my lap while we were speeding on the boat. He was happy most of the time even though he was in his cocoon of water protection.



It seems like Niki has found his tongue and likes to show the tip of it to anyone who is interested in watching him.
Grandpa let Alyosha drive his first boat. He did a great job and didn't run over any fish or run into any docks.

Even Roma, the man from the cold North, enjoyed the heat. It may not be something he wants to experience every day of his life, but for these 4 days, it was actually a nice change of environment--it is 50 in Portland! I will take a nice crisp 95 and a cool dip in the water anytime over that!


Luka is now king of the world by the end of the boat trip.
Possum Kingdom at sunset is probably one of the most beautiful sights in the world!

Fun time with Friends

We had a get together with some of my former high school classmates and all of our kids. I think that the kids had a blast together playing in the water and hitting the pinata. The adults all chatted together about the past 10 years and where our lives have taken us thus far. Life's paths are so varied-it is amazing that even though we start out from the same spot, basically, we end up traveling in so many different directions and ultimately we end up all back together again. I don't think I have been very good at it, but it has always been important for me to keep up with any friends I have made at different points of my life. I think it is important to have good people around you and to be a good person yourself-the only way to keep good people around you is to keep the good friends you have made along the way. Anyway, it was a fun evening!

Roma dressed up as the "Hula-Monster" to get the kids while they were searching for the pinata. Luka was really afraid and didn't join in the search-although he realized it was papa dressed up he wasn't sure about the game.

The kids made their own ice cream in ziploc bags. It was a great success! It just takes one cup of cream with 2 table spoons of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. Put all the ingredients in a small bag and put that in a large bag with ice and salt and viola- after 5-10 minutes of shaking you have ice cream! Add in M&M's and you have happy children!

Our table of food--we had almost 40 hot dogs and about 20 sausages along with cabbage salad and grape salad, watermelon and cantaloupe...EVERYTHING was devoured!

Jacob, Justin's son, helped cook the 'dogs. He did a wonderful job.

The swimming pool turned into a swamp after the kids jumped in and out a million times. But they enjoyed it and it survived.

Slip N' Slide fun again.

Boys and their beer!

Texas Flora and Fauna

We spent the today day camping in Ft. Richardson State park in Jacksboro because I heard that there are still plenty of wildflowers around in the gorgeous Texas countryside. As we were pulling up to the State park Grandma (Granny to the kids) said that when she lived in Jacksboro she would take a walk in this park every day and she would run into a road runner. As soon as we pulled in to the park we met Mr. Roadrunner--and in fact, I took a walk with him down the trail a little later. They are really fast and even better-they like to fight rattlesnakes. Did you know that the roadrunner is the American version of the Cuckoo bird? They are in the same family.

Luka is in mid air in this picture--the kids are cooling off in our spot in the shade under the old oak tree. We didn't see any snakes or scorpions but tons of beautiful red birds and ants.

These next pictures are our attempt at getting a portrait of the boys with the Texas wildflowers. Luka wanted to hold Niki every time and pouted when he didn't get to, but Niki was in danger of falling on a cactus so we had to take a quick shot.

Yet another display of brotherly love and Niki is caught in the crossfire.

The cactus were blooming with yellow flowers. The sun went behind clouds when this was taken so they all hid and closed their bloom--but it is still nice.

A day at the Lake!

Oh my! I haven't been to the water in Texas since the summer of 2003 and I have been dreaming about it for years! AND the water is just as good as I remember it! The water is warm and nice and we all just jumped right in. Well, Niki only stuck his toes in but he liked it too. Next week after Roma arrives we are camping on the lake for 4 days-right beside a nice little beach and hiking trails.

The boys are building a sand castle with the most important feature, a moat. We just happened to run into Sara McCall and her boys just as we pulled up to Sandy Beach.

Mama and Luka taking a swim. He is a little hesitant but if you take it nice and slow he likes it.

Auntie Trish is looking on while Luka fills my hair with sand--this is also a warning of the week to come. I just have to get used to being like a piece of sandpaper while we are camping.

That is our boat behind Luka--Joe Hall was great to let us just use it as much as we want while we are visiting. We will use it a lot!!! Niki rides well on it--he doesn't like his life jacket too much, but the motor of the boat puts him to sleep so he forgets about the thing around his body and head. (sorry no pictures, but it is kinda cute--next time maybe). The best thing about this boat is that next week when we have me and the 3 boys and Grandma and Grandpa and Trish like we had today, we will also be adding Jeremy, Roma Granny and maybe even Jeb and we will all fit comfortably!
Niki dipping his toes in to the lake

A Day at the Park

Three boys in the swing, a little precarious for a moment, but I had to get the shot!

Alyosha doesn't even use the equipment how he is supposed to anymore, he is climbing over the tops and hanging from the bottom--any way except the the traditional one. He can do the entire length of the monkey bars! That is about 25 bars-He is determined to be prepared because this will be his playground next fall when he starts Kindergarten.

Luka can crawl up the cork screw himself! He is so proud he can do it he did it 25 times. Up the cork screw, down the spiral slide...up the cork screw, down the spiral slide.

Niki is looking out at all the fun, thinking about joining but perfectly comfortable where he is at. I think that he is in no big hurry, although he is totally rolling over already from his back to his tummy.

Making our Neighborhood beautiful

Today was an Oregon state wide day organized to clean up the neighborhoods. We live in a great neighborhood with wonderful maintenance workers who sweep the curbs every day-so luckily there wasn't too much to clean up. But the kids spotted every cigarette butt or stray gum wrapper and picked it up with their extended arms. Here is the group-Luka didn't want to wear the orange safety vest-OR his sun hat. He was a true pirate.

Luka is helping his brother make his Bobo feel better. Alyosha got a big scratch on his chin-you will see in future pictures how we decorated it with Zelonkia.

We also planted wild flowers in the field in front of our bridge. Hopefully they will all sprout-it will be beautiful.

I (Jen) carried Niki most of the time because Roma was carrying the big trash bag, but in the end I was releived by Roma and the Baby Bjorn--Niki isn't really supposed to face forward yet, but he likes to see the world.

In the afternoon we trecked over to Wallace Park beside the elementary school Alyosha will go to in September-It was a beautiful day. You can see where the scratch is hidden by the green paint.

Luka is a monkey robot. For some reason, he decided to talk like a robot all afternoon.

Alyosha thinks he never goes to sleep because he just lays down and then the sun comes up-like the night is only a minute long. When he got into bed he said that this was a really great day and he wanted to do it all again tomorrow!

Niki and the Scooter Riders

Niki is our smiler--most of the time
I took a scooter ride with Alyosha and Luka...it was Niki's first time in a stroller, I felt very light walking around without him strapped to my chest-but I missed him a little.

I think that he likes it; look at him checking out his toes--he realized his fingers too; he just stares in amazement at the fingers upon his hands

Picnic on Sauvie Island

It was a beautiful day in Portland today and we enjoyed the entire morning and afternoon on Sauvie Island. First we drove out to Oaks Island trail--a gorgeous and easy walk. We would have like to spend more time there, but lunch was calling and they didn't allow fire grills anywhere on the trail. So, we had to turn back pretty early, but I would like to bring sandwiches next time and do the entire 2.5 mile (4.5km) hike.

Another family enjoying the trail took our picture--they warned us of black bears and tigers ahead of us on the path--it was their 4 year old who saw them though. Fortunately we didn't find them.

My new hat that Roma got for me! I like it. Roma is experimenting with our camera; his new favorite is to take pictures through the binoculars. It comes out pretty cool.

The boys found an eagle flying high over the wildlife refuge.

Our picnic. We had yummy bratwurst (organic and local) and Peter brought steak. The kids played amazingly together and enjoyed every second of being outside.

Haircut

Summer and warmer weather are approaching so we are all going for the short styles. I really like the kid's hair when it is long a crazy/wild, but I didn't even bother washing Luka's hair before cutting it; I just cut out all the big chunks of dirt and knots. Alyosha uses his head as a sand bucket, instead of the cool yellow bucket that the Easter bunny brought--so with shorter hair it will be more difficult for the big pieces of dirt to get lodged in and create a penthouse for the bugs of summer.

But, I will have to admit, the kids are beautiful with their long crazy hair--at least eye catching.


They are pretty cute with their short buzzes too though.

Nature School Tuesdays

Sellwood park again for Tuesday Nature School. This past Tuesday was the most beautiful Tuesday of the year. Roma studied in the park while everyone else attended their own duties, then we had a picnic lunch and stayed the rest of the day, lured in by the sun to forget any other responsibilites we may have.

Luka likes the see-saw, but I get a work out doing squats so he can go up and down. I noticed that in all newer parks that have see-saws, they have springs so the kids can do it themselves--I'm not sure which ones I like better.

Alyosha is a good tree-climber. We will work on this all summer so we can go apple pickng in the fall. Now he just climbs to shake the flowers down from the tree. Thank goodness it wasn't an apple tree--even the flowers fall pretty hard. That's gravity for ya.

The boys climb on Papa whenever they get a chance. It is great that he has the chance to spend so much time with them--but, even school takes up a lot of time so they take advantage of every minute.

Papa running with 2 boys. Look how long their hair is--tomorrow it will be all gone. :-(

A day at the Park

Saturday marked the first day of beautiful, beautiful warm sunny weather. We went to the farmers market (see video) and played at the park. It feels a little like we have been living in a cave, really hibernating for the past few months. It's great!

Alyosha can do the entire length of the monkeybars now..that means he is ready for kindergarden.

Even Niki enjoys the sun.

Family picture.

Keri Russel is in town filming a movie...Crowley. She spent her beautiful Saturday with her family at the farmers market and playground too. Luka and her son were staring each other down on the slide at the playground.

The Boys

What is going on

Back to Nature School. Alyosha had his first day of spring nature school today. Unfortunately they had to move it to Sellwood, which is a farther drive for us, but the park is great and with the better weather coming along we will enjoy it. The good part is that the class is bigger, 8 kids, so I think it is more fun. Alyosha is keeping a nature journal with a picture of what he learned for the day--that is what he is working on in the photo; they learned about leaves and veins and how the leaf turns its food into sugar.

I made the kids pose for a photo in front of the pink tulips at Sellwood park. Niki wasn't too happy.

Niki getting some rest and some sun. I think that he is the king.

The Easter Bunny found us even though we weren't in Texas--he hid clues in the whole building that the boys found together. BUT that silly Easter Bunny dropped Luka's airplane bubble blower so we had to ask the toy store if they would let us exchange it for a new one. Luckily they take Easter Bunny exchanges.

Alyosha is working on his music school homework for his piano class. He already knows what each of the types of notes are. I can't wait for him to start Kindergarten next year.

Weekend

We had a great weekend spending almost the entire time outside! Yeah for spring! It was 78 degrees today (25 Celsius) and it will only be getting better as time goes by. I know that nature needs to rest during the winter months to rejuvenate for the next season, but I think the resting period could be a little shorter because we humans need the warmth of the sun! Here is Luka and Alyosha at the zoo, riding the wolf statues.

A portrait by Aloysha at beside the river at Silver Falls. There are 10 huge waterfalls here, but we only got to see one while we were on our way out. It was too much fun sitting in the sun and playing in the river. We will see the waterfalls next time.

A hiking trail at Tyron Park--it is a temperate rain forest-green and dripping with plants and bugs. Usually bugs, they are just now waking up so it was a little disappointing for Alyosha.

Roma is the leader through the forest, look at how green it is the first few days of warm, sunny weather.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

We had a Friday Nature Walk with friends at the Rhododendron Garden--which might as well be called the duck and goose playground. Along the entire walk we had a company of ducks waddling along behind us. Luka was afraid of the ducks, and geese (the geese I don't blame him for, they are bigger than he is!). Alyosha put on a very brave face around his friends--but once he was surrounded and we were ahead of him on the trail; when I looked back to see if he was catching up there was sheer terror on his face because the gaggle of geese and ducks encircled him and his bag of bird seed, a full zip lock bag. I saw him pour the entire bag out, then he made a run for it. By the time he reached us you could still see the wet, blotched tears on his cheeks and the redness in his cheeks, but he was trying to smile.

The kids and Nikolai staring each other down to find out what they are made of.

In front of the waterfalls. I don't know how, but we made it over the steping stones without falling in... Niki on my chest in the sling and Luka dangling from my hand--Alyosha was on his own.

The Canadian goose that was chansing the others away from his food--there were also mallards, wood ducks, scaups, red head ducks, northern pintail, shovler, cinnamon teal, chinese swan geese, and more....

Family Time

Our first family hike--we took it easy at Leach Botanical Garden. I am so glad spring is on its way!! I think after Roma graduates, we need to look for jobs in a warm climate--I am rooting for Mexico.

Busy Kids

The kids had a Jackson Pollock art class today--an American artist famous for his action painting. Action painting is the best style for the 5 and under artists--and can even be fun for the adult artist! Alyosha is pointing to their section of the canvas--the brown back ground was created by 'skiing' with brown toes and feet--then the splatters are the ones that were lucky enough to land on the canvas rather than the ceiling, walls, my hair etc...



Luka is a good big brother





Luka is a monkey on the bunk beds.





Thank you Gala and Ded for the welcome gift for Nikolai!



The kids concentrate when there is any kind of important work to do--like coloring frogs and dogs.

Whose Baby is it?

Leave a comment, who does Nikolai look like? If I don't have your picture in the collage and you are related, send me your baby picture and I will add it (Mama??).

Edited to add: See that Rosi's baby picture is there now! Anyone else to add???

The Brothers Three

Three baby boys

Some Pictures

Blogger is being very annoying! I can't upload what I want, how I want it!! AAhhhh. I will try and figure it out when I have more time....I wonder when that will be.

OMSI

We spent a day at OMSI this week--it is an easy place for me to take the kids right now because they can get involved in lots of great activities and I don't have to run around or worry about them because we are in an enclosed space. There is a Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit going on right now teaching the kids all about inventions; since getting back from exploring that exhibit, Alyosha has invented a few things. My favorite invention is the machine that picks up all the toys for Alyosha and Luka, cleans the bathroom and kitchen and does everything we need to do so we can sit and watch cartoons all the time while the machine is working. He already has the first part to build the machine, an egg carton. He wants me to guide him where to go from there...

Alyosha is letting a walking stick walk along his hands and dinosaur shirt in the top picture; he said that he was very brave because he knew the bug was alive and even though it was 'freaky' to let the bug poke on his hands, he had to be brave because if he dropped it it would hurt the bug.

The flying hair pics are from a discovery that the kids made while floating balls on the air

Случайно нашел фотку

Вот нашёл фотку Женьки в альбоме 2002 года, решил сканировать и поделиться. Техас, сентябрь 2002. Снято на Зенит Е, между прочим, отцовский.

Happy New Year

Welcome to the beginning of 2009-an amazing year! The list is too long and always changing to say everything that will happen this year, but a few for sures are:
*Baby Boy Kultajev #3 will be here in 38 days...more or less!!
*Roma will graduate-it is the year of hope, right?
*Alyosha will start school! Kindergarden round up (where he gets to see his classrooms for the first time) is on February 12th.
*Luka is going to go from 2 to 3, he will turn into a big brother and a big boy.

Alyosha is painting his New Year's celebration painting. There is a very detailed description of every stroke--If you are a true artist, you surely see the symbolism.

The New Year Table--Kids celebrated with Apple Cider Champagne.
Alyosha petting the Ball Python at OMSI. It is a new year and we have started a new schedule. I have decided to start calling it Home Preschooling because we do so many great things and the kids are learning just like or even more than they would learn at preschool (Детский Сад) OMSI is one of our preschool days--Art projects and all.
Luka playing music for everyone else who are dancing--you have to see the video.

The kids, Papa being the main one, built a sail boat that really sails. No leaks. Alyosha christened it the Shark Tooth, captianed by Captian Papa Roma, Captian Alyosha and First Mate Luka


Two kids in the New Year--it will turn into three very soon! Yeah! 3 Brothers... Три богатыря

No Excuse

Ok, I know that this page hasn't been updated in a while...and threre really isn't an excuse. I could find time once a week at least to jot down something so I can look back and remember what we did, what we looked like, how we played etc...

I am growing a baby! Inside my tummy--that takes some effort! And there are 3 other boys around here who are always expecting me to feed them! I do have an excuse!

Well, I did take the time to upload a few photos....I want to try and go back and put more--but here are some. Enjoy!

Click on the picture for more!

What a great week

We have had an exciting and busy week..After the great snow weekend, we had a house guest. Cheryl was able to stop by Portland on her whirlwind travels around the States before she goes back to Vladivostok to save the Tigers and leopards. Alyosha had many emotions while we had a house guest--from forgetting "that girl's" name to wanting to marry her--he finally settled with helping her find a quick fix to save those endangered big cats so she can just stay here in Portland with him. His idea for wild animal protection...build a big, tall, huge wall around the entire habitat and keep the dirty, polluting people out. Maybe Cheryl will make that her own
project and name the wall "Stena Alyosha Kultajev" We are really glad you came, Cheryl, and hope that we can visit you on some wild Zapovednik in Russia someday.

click on picture to enlarge

We surprised Cheryl with a Welcome to Portland Russian Christmas party. Our table isn't quite big enough for everyone, but at a Russian Party, you somehow end up in a circle around vodka and sala...

Cheryl and Alyosha carefully put a pizza together

Alyosha finally got his Spiderman gum...from Grandma in the mail. Oh, the excitement!

Friday night swim night at the SW Community center...Yes, Alyosha was there too, but he was moving too fast to catch on still photography. He went down the slide HIMSELF!! Video to come maybe..

Happy New Year

Hello to Everyone in 2008! We had a really nice celebration popping open a bottle of champagne for the Estonian New Year--then we quietly brought in the Portland New Year watching the fireworks explode under the bridge.

Romka is back to work, the kids are back to driving just Jen crazy (Oh, how I am counting the days until spring. I'm praying for a early start in February!!!)

Happy New Year everyone!!!
Thank you, Stacy, for the warm beautiful Christmas present.

The many faces of a pirate.

I just wanted to add a couple of Alyosha's sayings of late...

Alyosha: "Mama, Mama please sing me the virgin song!" Mama: "Silent Night, Holy Night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin mother and child....."

Alyosha playing with his horse and cowboy and spiderman and a pirate or two: Nee nah, nee nah, nee nah! Take the cowboy to the hostable! Take him to the hostable! The pirate pushed him off his horse and they need to give him a shot so his blood soldiers will work better to fix his boo boo!

Yes, we told him that he has blood soldiers (not a far stretch from the white blood cells, right?) and they fight the germs and build blood clot walls when he gets a cut. We'll see if he gets messed up or becomes a creative writer.

Lots of stuff...no time to speak!

Well, the end of 2007 is here. And it seems like the end of the year goes by faster than any other time--not that time is ever slow. I am trying to get pictures backed up and printed out and want to share some I found.

The snow pics are from Dec 26th--we braved Mt. Hood and it was beautiful.


Roma putting the chains on the tires so we don't fall off the mountain!

The attempt at skiing while sledding--didn't quite work.

But we all enjoyed the snow!
Stark contrast--hiking from last month--pictures I found.


AND--a couple more Christmas morning pictures

Aleks with his camera (he is a photographer) and Luka with the red tunnel
Men at work
It snowed on Christmas Day!

Just two handsome boys

Photo Ops

Merry Christmas....

Luka's First Birthday





Playing in the fountain in winter is a little different experience







And a Thanksgiving picture that was left out! We made the pecan and apple pies...

Salem World Beat and more

We went to the World Beat Festival this year--it was a lovely day. They were much better at providing shady areas because it sure was hot! but beautiful! We saw belly dancers, Mayan dancers and even a Scandanavian Wedding (a real one)
click for more pictures

There isa picture of Luka's first time in the fountain in that group of pictures...that reminded me that I had posted Aleks' first time in the fountain as well...two years ago... Here is the link for those pictues


Tomorrow is my Grandma's Birthday! She will be 82--we put a little happy birthday video together...click on the picture to see it...But don't let her see it until tomorrow! We will be shooting fireworks off for her tomorrow

Time is speedy!

I survived a week alone. A week alone with two boys--we not only successfully got through the week, but I managed to eat out only once (well, one and a half times—we treated ourselves to brunch at the Tea Zone on the way to the library) Romka also had a successful week filling his brain with how to make a good case for someone to give him money for a cause he finds important (a grant writing course). We are thinking that our children are a good cause—now if we could only find a foundation who provides funds for little boys who are adorable and energetic we would have it made.

All parents of children under 5 have conversations about poop and pee on a daily basis—so sorry for those of you who beyond this realm, but I wanted to make note of how Alyosha has found his own little how-to manual on bathroom etiquette. Well, the picture speaks for itself—every time I hear little feet running to the bathroom, soon after I hear “I’m ok Mama.” “I’m still ok Mama.” Then a jump off the potty—and the distinct sound of the little “kandoo” box opening and being spun around so Alyosha can make sure he is performing the operation properly (taught to him by Mr. Frog) I wonder if this means that when he grows old enough to put together his own boy toys, he will read the instructions before assembling?

The rest of the pictures are from different things we have been doing around town in the past few weeks. Playing at the river with Alex and Ben (and Heather too); Riding horses at the market; enjoying the summer street fairs; Enjoying Alyosha’s friend Sergi in town (to go with Romka to the grant seminar in Seattle); nature walks and visiting the old west.

Now the next three weeks will speed by and we are off on the adventure of 2007! Which, by the way, is the last year of my 20’s—I will start the year off with a camping trip at Trillium Lake on my birthday weekend, then the next Wednesday off to
Estonia.

click for more pictures