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!!
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| At Irina's waiting to eat! |
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| 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! |
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| Nostrovia! |
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| This is the beautiful birthday card that Ksenia drew for Mom. |
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| Making sure Ksenia knows we are taking her to NYC! |
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| 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!
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| After the finish-2/3rds of team "Live and Finish", and Ksenia! |
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| Ksenia was our pack mule and cheering section. She was wonderful. |
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| These are just some of the bikes waiting to be ridden. |
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| At Gray's Lake, the hub for the swim, bike and run. |
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| Team "Live and Finish" and team Sweeney |
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| 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! |
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