Friday, π, 2014
Happy π Day!
Elina’s friend Ruth is getting married! Elina threw her a shower tonight that was mustache themed. We played DIEGO! (think BINGO, but Diego is the name of her fiancé), and pin the mustache on the happy couple. We did not do very well. But the party was fun. Thanks, Elina!
Thursday, March 13th, 2014
We got this “orngen soda with a green leaf (sic),” at least that’s what Magnus thought. We found it at the Russian Market. It is Orange Fanta from Ukraine. Dana likes to find unique sodas, especially ones he loved while in Ukraine. The Russian Market has several to choose from. And, yes, it does taste better than American Fanta.
Wednesday, March 12th, 2014
I made that!
I found this tutorial on making a bubble quilt through pinterest. I needed an excuse to give it a try, Luckily, Dana’s step sister is expecting a baby any day now. Her baby shower was coming up and I needed a gift. I had some little girl fabric in my stash, so I went for it.
It was tricky business in some places (that ruffle may have caused some unkind thoughts and words at a few points), but I did it! Magnus liked to help by collecting pins and putting the presser foot up and down.
The best part was that Amber loved the quilt, even the fabric. She had seen it on pinterest too and did not think she’d ever be able to make one herself. So, huzzah!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
We took Elina’s friend, Ruth, and her fiancée, Diego, on a hike in the Gorge. Diego is from Brazil and he is still very new to the US. So, we thought it would be fun to take him out to see some of the Northwest. Wahclella Falls was our destination. It was beautiful there. There was even some snow on the trail, the first snow Diego has seen up close. We had fun sharing something we love with Ruth and Diego.
Monday, March 10th, 2014
Happy Birthday, Scott!
Gideon gave us some big smiles while being held by Grandma Terry. She and Ivan stopped by to see us tonight. It was good to see them. In the afternoon we had a fun grocery store trip. Magnus documented it with his photo skills.
Sunday, March 9th, 2014
An uncommon, but welcome sight. Sunday evenings are a great time to rest one’s eyes.
Saturday, March 8th, 2014
С Восьмого Марта!
Happy International Women’s Day!
A friend at church has been wanting to go hiking with me for a while. Today, we finally had a chance. Mitchell Point is a view point in the Gorge few people know about, so the trail is not busy. At the top you get a great view of the river and surrounding cliffs from a thin, rocky ridge. It was fun to go out with someone new. I love sharing these great places with people.
We also had fun celebrating Women’s Day. It was a big holiday in Ukraine that I like to remember.
Friday, March 7th, 2014
Gideon is 100 days old!
Dana’s sister Elina got to go through the temple for the first time tonight. It was a big night for our family. We are very happy for Elina for taking this next step in her life.
Thursday, March 6th, 2014
Magnus is almost sure to join in on anything that looks fun. Tonight it was a yoga session in our living room. He is mostly good at copying the stances, though he is not so good at the calming part of yoga.
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
Happy Birthday, Whitney!
We walked to the library today. I was hoping we could get there and back without getting too wet. But we got rained on and it ended up being kind of an arduous journey.
At the library, someone left this babydoll on the floor. It was so realistic I started running over to it to help the poor abandoned baby. I did realize before I got there that it was a doll. But it tricked me a few more times as I would glance past.
Tuesday, March 4th, 2014
I like to play Sudoku on my phone – it is calming for me. So some days I play many games. Magnus saw me playing today and said he wanted to help. I let him take over the game and press all the buttons. When I came back, he told me he had found all the pink letters. Very clever of him.
We also went on a walk down Cougar Creek and Magnus got to throw rocks into the stream. I fell in the mud and got my pants messy. At one point, Dana picked some “special” rocks – one for Magnus and one for me. Magnus carried his most of the way back to the car, but then stuck the rock in his pocket. We stopped at a little beach and threw a few more rocks in before getting back in the car. Magnus bent down to pick up a new rock, and his special rock fell into his hand. I told him he might not want to throw that one in the river, but it was already too late. The moment it hit the water, though, Magnus realized his mistake and the look of alarm on his face is one I will never forget (but that we did not photograph). Dana saved the rock before any lasting emotional damage was done and we brought it home. It was a successful walk.
Monday, March 3rd, 2014
Ruth gets some time to work on a sewing project. Magnus is allowed to help with some if it, like putting the pins in the pin cushion.
Russia’s “non” invasion of Ukraine continues when Russia's Black Sea Fleet tells the Ukrainian navy in Sevastopol in Crimea to surrender or face a military assault. Ukrainians continue to express that they don’t want to join Russia, while Russian nationals cross into Ukraine and incite pro-Russia riots.
Sunday, March 2nd, 2014
We try a recipe from Lena, my cooking lady from when I lived in Ukraine. She called them “snickerdoodies,” better know as snickerdoodles. They are my favorite kind of cookie and this is a recipe I really like.
Saturday, March 1st, 2014
Ruth potted this nasturtium bulb, we hope it lives to produce a flower.
Friday, February 28th, 2014
Happy Birthday, Matthew!
Magnus is able to catch Gideon smiling on film, Dana still is trying. Gideon is starting to smile and laugh more.
In Ukraine: Armed (Russian) men in unmarked combat fatigues seize Simferopol international airport and a military airfield in Sevestopol. The Ukrainian government accuses Russia of aggression. Government leaders in the Crimea are kicked out and Russia appoints new leaders. Russian appointed leaders ask for help from Russia.
Thursday, February 27th, 2014
A father/son selfie. Aren’t we awesome?
The crisis in Ukraine heats up with Pro-Kremlin, unmarked, armed men sent by Putin, seize government buildings in Crimea. Putin wants Ukraine to break apart.
Wednesday, February 26th, 2014
A nice thing about early work mornings are the sunrises. I love when Mt. Hood is presented in silhouette, though that is harder to take a picture of while driving.
Tuesday, February 25th, 2014
An outing to the Gorge to see some waterfalls. Magnus was very excited. We also wanted to see where a giant landslide had happened on Feb. 15 that shutdown the freeway with about 400 dump truck loads of rock and dirt. This is Magnus in front of Starvation Falls.
Sunday, February 23rd, 2014
We spent our evening at Farmor’s. Gideon likes getting passed around and everyone likes to hold him.
Saturday, February 22nd, 2014
Magnus and Gideon having some fun together.
In world news: The protests in Ukraine, for the freedom of the people, has erupted to people getting injured or killed. Today, the corrupt President fled the capitol. Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine.
