Swimming with Katya

MVI_4426.AVI

Hi, here is an update for those of you who want/need one. We are all staying busy and doing well. My parents came for Mother's Day, a chorus performance, a soccer game and Parker Reid's kindergarten circus!! We enjoyed an exciting few days together. Parker Reid did a great job as a clown in the circus. He is so funny in real life; he didn't even have to practice;) Bryce had to step in last minute to do a dance in the chorus performance. He did a GREAT job too!! My mom also pulled Parker Reid's tooth. It was his first one so he was very excited. The kids made me lots of cute things for Mother's Day. We have been working in our gardens at home and at school! We even found a snake last week which we had to kill so it wouldn't kill our chickens. The chickens are getting bigger and we are enjoying watching them grow. Ryan is trying to finish our fence because we are having trouble with stray dogs barking at the chickens. School will be out a week from Friday and then I leave June 9th for Russia/Ukraine. I am sure life will continue moving very quickly...we are just all holding on and enjoying the ride ;) Pictures will follow whenever I have time to upload.

Roses are red...Daddy loves YOU!

Yesterday I opened the refrigerator door and there was a bouquet of red roses. I asked Ryan what the roses were for. He said, "One is for you and the rest are for Sydney Katya. " He has been seeing her pick all the azaleas in the yard. She puts them in a cup of water and says "now don't throw them away because they are a decoration"!! It was so sweet of him and she was THRILLED. She tries to carry them everywhere and I tell her if she doesn't leave them in the water they will die ;) She is lucky to have a dad who loves her so much!

A ballerina and the Little Mermaid

I was going through some pictures and realized I had posted some of these creations ;)

A new bike

I found a wonderful deal on this bike. It was $7 at the Goodwill. It is a "princess" bike and she loves it. We hope soon she will learn to ride without training wheels but she has to practice more pedaling now ;)

We have enjoyed our passes this year. We have already been twice and hope to enjoy lots more fun this season. Thanks, mom!!

Bryce turns 9

We celebrated Bryce's birthday party with a party at the park near our house. He had some of his school friends to help him celebrate. They played a soccer game and then on the playground. Ryan made an ice cream cake for his cake. We had birthday waffles and Mexican food. Summer and mom came to help with all the birthday festivities!! Thanks so much!

Lyuba working on Sydney Katya's "crown braid"

I love this one with the dolls in the background.

Gayla and I enjoyed seeing each other.

Vera gave me a beautiful calendar of Sochi, Russia.

It is a beautiful city on the Black Sea and the town

where she lives.

Nickoli wanted me to try the salted fish. I didn't though

it is still a little raw for me.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a chance to visit with some good friends from Ukraine and Russia ;) Gayla, Viktor, Nickoli and Vera were in Gainesville and so we drove down to see them. The kids had never met them although I have spent 4 summers with all of them. It was such a dream come true for the kids to meet them and them to meet the kids. Bryce enjoyed playing soccer. Parker Reid rode on Viktor's shoulders. Katya played with everyone. Landon enjoyed playing with everyone too!