big gorka

Jeremy wasn't sure about Sonia speeding down this slope at first... He tried slowing her down by jumping on top of the sled. Instead, he fell and rolled down the hill. Well, well Sonia just giggled and giggled. "Look at this bunny!" yelled a bystander mom. "She is going fast!"

My heart would also sink as I watched her sliding full speed. Was she going 20 or 30 mph or any faster? Will she collide with someone else? Is she going to hit a pole?

I have a great role model... my mom. Thinking about how my mom let me go down huge Ekat hill by UPI on a so-so skateboard when I was about the same age as Sonia is now, gave me strength ;-) I still remember that day!

Sonia had great time and never stopped making joyful noises as she headed down. I think she was the only baby on this slope so people must thought we were bad parents. She also laughed when I went down on her little sled. We even talked papa into trying it out.

No worries the sled is fine!

looking for books to read...

I am in need of a list of good books to read for myself and for Sonia. Please post even the most trivial, well known books. We might have forgotten about them or may have never heard about them. We are signing up for a new library card in a few days. Yesterday Jeremy read Alice in Wonderland for the first time and right now I am rereading it. Sonia's new fave is Go Dog GO...
Sonia was excited to get this book for Christmas. When I asked her to turn it and show it to me, she was not so sure about it.

blessing in disguise

The water heater blew up in the middle of the night. We had no running water in the house and had to figure out something to keep our toilets sort of sanitary. So Jeremy filled the bath tub with snow. What fun it all turned into!

Watch out it is North Pole with polar bears, whales, sea lions and lots of freezing but excited hands in the icy cold water.

Jeremy, Sonia and Mike were first to discover the fun.

Soon hands got red and numb but they didn't seem to mind it all. Finally I had to ask for help with finding a home for the frozen animals and with putting toys back in the box.

Nana and Opa gave Sonia this polar set from Animal Planet for Christmas. We are so grateful we have such wonderful and thoughful parents who know what we need in the time of no running water!

a day after Christmas

All good people were shopping this Friday, I am sure. We woke up early and joyfully drove to Sundance to be a part of one of the best ski days ever! Jeremy went down the mountain first and floated in the fresh powder, covering himself in the snow from hat to board. "It was one of my best runs ever!" he would tell me on the lift a few minutes later.

I stayed on the groomed part of the course, venturing several times out into fresh snow and getting stuck. Oh, it is impossible to get up! The other time it was bliss though ;-) Jeremy took a few shots of me on the board.Taking yoga classes and running in the park last fall helped me have more confidence. Sitting down and getting up is part of a day for a new person like I am.

I practised carving and hope to be good at it by the end of the season.

We are planning to go once a week to Brighton for night skiing. It is our Christmas gift this year. We love Utah and the mountains. If only Sonia was here with us, I can't wait until next year... our little Sonia will be joining us for sure!

December 25

I don't know why but Jeremy and I woke up first before any of the kids. We just sat under a tree and enjoyed the stillness of the moment.
When everyone woke, we opened the presents. Sonia enjoyed wrapping the night before and she loved tearing the paper and playing with her new toys. Thank you, Heather, for a lovely doll in the purse. Sonia loved all her presents.
We had cinnamon rolls with apple cider and played and played until it was time to drive to Babulya's home for Christmas dinner.Sonia's rocking in the chair and enjoying herself. I love this shot ;-)Then she helped Babulya to open her presents. Two pals. We had such a great night.A real winter storm awaited us on the way home. Our poor little car was struggling to make it up big hills; snow covered all the road and street signs; car wheels were spinning and Jeremy lost control of the car for a split second. We lost all our bearings and drove without knowing what direction we headed. Eventually we made it to Grandma and Grandpa's and then safely home.

Christmas Eve

Sasha, Katya and Misha looked lovely before going to a Baxter family brunch in the morning; Sonia snuck into a picture in a blue shirt. My little angel ;-)

When everyone left, little Santas went upstairs to put presents under a tree.

Sonia loved Scotch tape and helped me with wrapping presents, including some of her own. She also caried everything and carefully put presents under the tree. At night we enjoyed Christmas stories. While papa read the most important verses about an angel, a donkey, a star, Mary and baby Jesus from the bible, we put stickers that went along with the story.

We had so much fun that we had to tell the story again ;-)

Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry we are way to busy to update but we will be back.... perhapse later ;-)