9/11

This year marked the 11th anniversary of the devastation of 9/11.  Des Moines set up a beautiful, yet simple memorial along the west side of Gray's Lake and I brought Ksenia out with me to go and visit for a few moments and take some photos. On the drive over, we spoke about it and it came to light that she was only 5 years old when it occurred, which seems crazy since-while it doesn't seem like 9/11 was yesterday-it still seems so recent. 
It was extremely peaceful to be out at the memorial and take a few moments to remember and reflect.

I failed to add this posting earlier-but wanted to make sure to get it in here. For my generation, 9/11 is arguably the most landmark event we have experienced, so for me at least-it was poignant to share this simple memorial with Ksenia.

Photography Day

Ksenia and I are both mad about photography, so the "Photography Day" at Living History Farms seemed the perfect way to spend a Saturday. I learned a few things about photography that day, but mostly I learned that LHF is still fun to go to as an adult-especially when the weather is gorgeous and you have a camera in your hands. 

Here are some of the photos I took that day.

Oh, and the next day, Ksenia and I BOTH bought brand-new cameras. We got some serious camera envy that day-seeing preteens with nicer cameras than we had!



In the millinery 



Ksenia in the red Chucks

 

In the drug store-probably my favorite building

"Macro" class in the flower garden

Probably my favorite photo of the day-at lunch break

I have memories from my youth of buying rock candy and sarsaparilla from the general store-so when K bought the candy-I had to have some too!



THE RUSSIANS ARE EVERYWHERE.  Ksenia heard some Russian being spoken and followed the sound-and stumbled upon 4 more student exchange girls and a host family



Ksenia made us do it (and who knew!)

The bridge with the bleating goat boy (not pictured)

Ksenia found out about the Des Moines Renaissance Festival through someone at her school, and although spending a weekend day with people dressed as goats and pirates and wenches and gypsies and Scots and old English scholars and jesters and knights and queens saying things like "good morrow" and "huzzah" goes against my better judgment, I decided we should go and check it out.
(Although I do enjoy being called a lady!)
I have to say though-going in at 10am, before I have had a warm-up beer, and having a boy dressed as a goat bleat right in my face...well, that was a bit overwhelming.
The greatest thing about the day (other than the weather and the company) was seeing Ksenia truly enjoy the festival.
I we had NO idea that the Renaissance Festival in Des Moines was so prominent, with permanent structures.  There is a little medieval village right in our own backyard-who knew!?

And who knew that I would actually enjoy it as I did. Ksenia is really opening me up to new things in Des Moines.

K's first corn dog. Another Iowa tradition

I also did not know they had cat people in the Middle Ages. I learned a lot that day.

American Football

We introduced Ksenia to her first full American football game during the Iowa State/Iowa rivalry game. The game was lackluster, but she still seemed to at least enjoy Tyler's emotional reactions to the plays, if nothing else! She wore ISU colors along with Tyler and I held strong as an Iowa fan.  Hopefully we get the chance to take her to an actual game this fall, instead of just hanging out in our living room.  But the dogs are fun to have around and are good fans too!

Awkward family photo!!

ISU fans...and yes they won.

Exchange Rate

If you have  some Russian Rubles to exchange and are in the area, go and see Diamond at the Wells Fargo on Ingersoll. She gives an amazing rate.  She was ready to give us $8900 for what should have been only $17.75.  It wasn't until she turned to her neighbor teller and asked how many $100's she had that we were aware of the huge discrepancy.
We apparently don't get many Russians in downtown Des Moines.
I keep thinking, what if I had found this money on the street and knew no more than Diamond!
What an amazing shopping spree we could have had this past weekend!

Irina's and HyVee Triathlon

Labor Day Weekend was spent with the Sweeney's and Tell's celebrating Mom's birthday and celebrating early Ksenia's birthday.  It is actually unlucky in Russia to celebrate birthdays before the day of the event, but we all agreed that this didn't count outside the Russian border.  We celebrated at Irina's restaurant the "Russian" restaurant in town.  I'm not sure how Russian the food really is there (though the owner is definitely Russian and we got to hear Ksenia speak her native tongue-so beautiful!), but they definitely do their shots of vodka Russian-style.  We had so much fun celebrating with everyone!!  

At Irina's waiting to eat!

Russian-style vodka shot-first you take a big whiff of the rye bread, then you drink the shot, breathe ALL the way out, eat a pickle then eat the bread.  I didn't "taste" the vodka but I definitely still felt it!

Nostrovia!

This is the beautiful birthday card that Ksenia drew for Mom.

Making sure Ksenia knows we are taking her to NYC! 

HUGS!



And so, after 2 very large beers, 2 shots of vodka, only 4 hours of sleep (due to vodka and adrenaline!) I awoke on Sunday morning at 4:50am to go out and run a 10K in the oppressive heat and humidity that summers in Iowa offer.  Never having run any denomination of a "K" for a race, this was a lot for this 35-year-old body to handle.  In retrospect-this wasn't the wisest decision I have ever made. Nevertheless, team "Live and Finish", did just that!  And we also didn't come in last, or even next to last. Michael and Tyler did so very well on their legs of the race! 

After the finish-2/3rds of team "Live and Finish", and Ksenia!



Ksenia was our pack mule and cheering section. She was wonderful.




These are just some of the bikes waiting to be ridden.




At Gray's Lake, the hub for the swim, bike and run.



Team "Live and Finish" and team Sweeney



And I'm throwing in a photo of the beautiful gift that Ksenia brought us from Udmurtia, her home state. It is a dove/pigeon made out of only 2 pieces of wood.  It is good luck!