Kool-aid

Some simple pleasures we have here I just haven't even thought about sharing with Ksenia. Kool-aid came up in conversation one day because we were talking about the "Kool-aid man", and that prompted us to get some Kool-aid from the store for Ksenia to try. She really likes it and wants to try ALL the flavors! She asked me last night if they make banana-flavored Kool-aid. Pretty sure the answer is no!

Ksenia-less-ness

Ksenia went to sunny Orlando this week with other foreign exchange students and their exchange program coordinator.  It has been a taste of what it will be like when she leaves in June to go back to Russia. I can tell that I will definitely miss her. I have been making her send me a picture a day so that I can see her smiling face and know she's enjoying herself. Here is my favorite one that she has sent. It is just so iconic Disneyworld/Orlando vacation. I can't wait until she gets home and I can see the rest!

Bowling!

We went bowling for Tyler's brother's birthday and I was so excited, because I had been wanting to do this with Ksenia. 

game faces

Anna=Ksenia. Oh yeah, check out high score baby.

Add caption

gift from Russia!

It's not every day that I get a package from Russia!! Okay, make that never. Ksenia's mother sent us a hand-made teddy bear from Russia! So cute and I also just love the Russian tag that came with it.

New Year's Eve

Our New Year's Eve was a pretty quiet one!  ISU played their bowl game, so we had some family over to watch the game, and play dress up. :)  Once again, Chloe was glued to Ksenia's side.

Also, our magic soap finally ran out. It was a sad moment. 

And one more Christmas!

Last but not least, we were able to sneak in a overnight visit with my brother and family. It was a brief visit, but so much fun, as always. I am so grateful to have had so many fun Christmas celebrations to share with Ksenia this year. Thank you to everyone for sharing your time with us and making it special!!

Such good puppies waiting to open their Christmas gifts from the Sweeneys

Yes, they really know how to open their gifts

They LOVE their blanket from Aunt Beth

Kiko does NOT like Ninja Tyler

Antique and unique Christmas morning

It was just the 5 of us (including the dogs) on Christmas morning. Pretty relaxing Christmas day. We exchanged gifts first thing after breakfast and then we Skyped with Ksenia's parents in Russia. They had the cutest little Christmas presentation that they made for us, wishing us health/friends/happiness/laughter, it was unexpected and beautiful.

This Christmas will definitely not be forgotten!

Early Christmas morning, waiting for everyone to get up

It's a fact

Vintage Kodak Junior camera, from Tyler and me

It took 3 of us and a You Tube video to figure out how to open it!

Ta-Da!

Our beautiful gifts from Ksenia, a vintage box to hold records, and tea diffusers 

Babushka

I forgot to put this one in--this was on the way home after the Smith Christmases. She totally looks like a Russian babushka in this. Smith Christmas is exhausting!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in our Waterbury neighborhood is always a beautiful night. Every house in the neighborhood sets out identical white luminaries and the whole neighborhood glows. 

Ksenia taking photos, Tyler peeking out at us.

Our house

Smithmakah

Christmases 2 and 3 were spent in Storm Lake with the Smith clan. They are such a fun group, and I think Ksenia fit in really well with them!  The big Smith Christmas was an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" event, and I think Tyler, Ksenia and I really excelled in this arena. It was fun to be able to do this with her!

Ksenia, the adorable Santa's Helper

All the Smiths!

Chloe absolutely adores Ksenia. And also those monkey slippers.

Chloe and Ksenia in Chloe's gift-storm!

Ksenia playing Jenga for the first time--Tyler a bit nervous for her

Ksenia realizing that Tyler didn't tip the Jenga tower, and now it is all on her. Smiths watch on.

Christmas highlights

We celebrated Christmas 6 different times this year! Here are some of the highlights of Christmas #1

Santa and one of his reindeer came to visit. 

Snow globe, gift from my mom

Ksenia handing out some of her Russian coins

Mom, Jim, Laura, us and the boys--after a couple of drinks. :-)

Christmas ribbon Hippie turned into....

Christmas HippieS

Peace, Love, Duck Lips. 

Holy Crap it's Cold

We have had a harsher winter this winter than last winter by FAR, and as this is only the second winter we have been in our home, we experienced for the first time what a winter storm can bring us in our older neighborhood.  We had a beautiful storm with beautiful white, heavy and wet snow that stuck to all of the trees. And while the trees were gorgeous, the loss of electricity for 12 hours was not fun at all!! It is my understanding that in Russia, when they lose their electricity, they don't lose their heat, so this was an unusual experience, even for Ksenia!

Our tree in the front yard, the night the storm started

Our back yard the next morning

Sadness in our front tree the morning after the storm :-(

Ksenia got an early Christmas present from us so she could stay warm!

We were all Russians that day!

Where do you go when you can't cook at home!? B-Bops Burgers-though reading the menu was difficult!