Two months old

Feo with Sonia's Slon wearing his hunting outfit that keeps him warm but isn't my fave color. Last night we had a late shopping spree with Feo. He really wanted to get home and missed Sonia. Plus he wanted his snack and didn't stop squealing until I fed him sitting on the floor in the midst of the store isles... Feo smiles, coos and loves hanging out with his mama. Well, sometimes with papa too ,

just reading some books,but not too long.

Christmas ball and Train at National Botanic Gardens

My big-little girl was helping all week long. Sonia cut green beans with sharp Cutco knife. My little cook ;-)

Sonia had so much fun that we didn't stop until a pot was filled up for dinner.

In preparation for the party we were shopping for whole wheat lasagna noodles at Shopper's late at night.Sonia asked me to put everything in her cart. Great little helper!

We had Alyssa, Audrey, Valerie and Graton at our Annual Christmas ball. ;-)Right before guests arrived, my children were watching rolls in the oven.

One table... perhaps next year we'll have room for a special little table for kids. Sonia spilled her juice right in Valerie's plate.

We played games, danced, roasted marshmallows on the open fire. Jeremy's fire made everything warm and cosy... I love it. We finished our night with 1978 version of Bolshoi's Nutcracker ballet.

On Saturday we went to see trains at National Botanic Garden. Everything except for trains was made with plant-based natural materials. They store only trains the rest is made anew every year. Rapunzel

This year the theme was enchanted storybook garden with trains popping in and out. It was magic ;-) Sonia and I watched and watched trains come and go. We could spent whole day looking at fairy tales come to life.

Deck the Halls

First snow fell on Saturday morning; we got to Home Depot to pick a tree... for just $29 we found a Douglas Fir beau to fit in our tiny living room.

Sonia helped me decorate tree with pine-cone gnomes, bells, and old Russian decorations. All thanks to my mom. I am still working on a few felt decorations and I need something for the top. When we were finished, Sonia said this is my big tree! We decorated our stairway with garland, knitted train and hang little German wooden toys on our little tree. I found all these cool little things at the garage sales last summer.

While we napped, Jeremy built a fire and we spent a cosy night enjoying warmth and piece meangled with Christmas lights and hot chocolate.

Sonia's played with her three bears on a sled. She sat them all in the raw then said: "Mama, please take a picture of just the bears."

"This is my sled!" wailed Sonia across the room. But too late, silly mama put poor Feo in it ;-)Life is beautiful ;-) Simply can't get better than tonight!

Tree lighting at Gathrights

Thank you, Valerie and Graton, for having us over at your party... we were so lucky to come!!! Christmas lights, Frosty, Rudolf and Santa plus great food!We picked up papa at the train station and headed right over skipping dinner all together.

Sonia was brave this year. She sat on Santa's lap and told him all she wants for Christmas. She wants musical bells... I hope Santa can find them ;-) there is still time. I am sure he has some at the North Pole. Santa gave Sonia a candy cane... that inspired Audrey to come tell Santa what she wants too. We saw a tree light up and Allysa with Sonia stood right next to it gazing at a huge tree. You can't see the top when you stand right under the tree ;-)What a cute little guy I next to me ;-)

Feo's first Christmas is coming up and I can't believe he is here. Just a year ago we were a family of three.

and just one more picture.

We also rode in a traditional carriage pulled by Belgian draft horses. And not just any Belgian horses, Wolley was a horse that delivered a Christmas tree to a White House this year! We had to ride twice and if it was up to Sonia, we would have gone two more dozen times ;-)

Getting in.

All snuggled in the carriage.

Our ride was smooth in the replica of the 19th century carriage; it would be nice to travel great distance with friends in something like it.Best of all we spent a delightful night with our dear friends! Thanks guys!

Geese are getting fat ;-)

It is a busy time of a year... we have been trying to catch naps, get ready for Christmas and still have enough energy to keep up with everyday things.
Christmas shopping with Jeremy at Target didn't do much and I need to go back there next week... But Sonia got lots of things done...All animals are napping ;-) More of them and some more. Then she puts them all back on shelves.

Bounce, bounce squeak!

There is a mouse in the house

"It's been there for a week" goes Sonia's favorite nursery rhyme she tells Feo every morning.

Kisses follow ;-)The winter is finally arrived at our door steps with frost and snow, not enough to make a snowman. We used white clay.

Last night Jeremy happened to be color coordinated with Sonia and Feo... this doesn't happen all the time ;-) To go to Costco Jeremy takes subway from work and we meet him there.

We love our little Feo. Last night at the mall someone exclaimed: "Oh, what a cute Mohawk he has!" When I said it is his natural hairdo, a lady laughed in disbelieve. Well, I suppose we are just cool ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

First time for everything... six years we made it without cooking the bird; today was our first one! Sonia helped me pick it out yesterday. Jeremy did an excellent job even though I surprised him this morning by saying the bird was his to cook. We planned to have friends over but at the last minute something came up... We went ahead with out plans and had a great time with just four of us and Mischa.

I rubbed turkey with spices and stuffed it with fresh rosemary. It turned out perfect! Thank you honey!

We also started a new turkey tradition. Sonia and I made this paper turkey a week or so ago. Then we wrote down little things we were thankful for each day and stuffed our turkey at night. Today we read our blessings aloud! Here is what we are grateful for: Sonia was grateful to sit on her papa's lap and eat grape nuts one morning. She was grateful to make this turkey with me. Grateful for yummy muffins. I am grateful for a clean fridge and bathrooms, for Jeremy leading home family night and talking about our blessings and for Sonia loving Feo. Jeremy is grateful for a cool foggy Thanksgiving morning and for his little women and one little guy ;-)

I am sure we have not mentioned all what was on our minds and grateful hearts... the turkey was waiting and it was time to eat. Sonia asked for seconds and thirds of turkey and cranberry sauce. Jeremy was into gravy and I enjoyed my green beans with golden chanterelle mushrooms. Making dinner was lots of work but now I don't have to cook for a week! Happy Thanksgiving!

gone with the week

These two can take a house apart and it will look like a hurricane passed by ;-) But it is all worth it!!! I miss them if I don't see them for just two hours.

My first story time with two of my children there. I found some excellent finger plays, rhymes and stories but the craft turned into lots of fun... We made sunflowers spinners. Our two-year-olds pored TONZ of glue and lots of sunflower seeds ;-) It was an instant hit!

Feo turned one month ;-) Sonia is a book worm and she passes on her passion to her brother.Mom, how do I look with all these books? Is it fall? What about a snack?!My mom called and said it is a respectable age! Best of Feo... he loves Sonia and can't stand to be away. She went to her music class with papa this week but by the time they got into a car she kept asking papa where Feo was.

We take baths together ;-) It is lots of fun with Feo swimming like a little fish and Sonia asking me to put his head all the way in water.

I survived yet another 104.5 fewer. On Thursday my friend, Valerie took me and the children in for the day. She saved me from a coming of an anxiety attack... by being Heaven sent ;-) It made me think of how grateful I am for bonds of love, womanhood and friendship. Here is a quote from Elder Bednar that lifted me up along with the blessing from my loved one.

"Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts our fear (see 1John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul." Thank you everyone who picked up a phone when I called and helped me figure out what to do!!!

On Saturday we all felt better and went on our Huntley Meadows walk... I am glad we did because for the first time we enjoyed a company of a beaver.

He just hung out with us for about ten minutes letting us enjoy him.

As soon as we thought to take a family shot... he dove in ;-)

Silly beaver!

Two of my favorites guys in the world ;-)

Last week Jeremy snapped a photo right before bedtime...and then on the stairway with all of us ;-)My best table runner ever!!! It took me nine months to make one ;-) Feo is going to think he belongs in the middle of the dinner table because he is always there when we are in the kitchen!