Happy Birthday Clara!

Clara's 12th birthday was also celebrated a little late as she was on a trip with the drama department from school to Istanbul, Turkey enjoying a theatrical seminar weekend with other middle school kids.  She really enjoyed her time there, her first real big trip away from home without family with her!  She's growing up!!  Happy Birthday my sweet one.

Happy Day Clara

Taken with her host family and friend in Turkey.  She had a wonderful birthday!  They took her the opening of the movie Hunger Games and look at those candles!  She felt very special!  

All in a Day in St Petersburg

So once the three of us toured the highlights of Moscow we decided that St Petersburg Hermitage could not be missed!  We booked a train and were on our way.  We took the overnight train there leaving Moscow about 11pm.  Tucked into our cupelo we did end up with a bunkmate but he was very nice.  We all slept well and awoke in St Petersburg at about 7am.  A quick metro ride and short walk and we stopped at a coffee shop to fill out time on our way to the Hermitage.  We kinda took the long way but ended up at the Hermitage with only a short wait for it to open (10am) and for us to get in.  All the pushing was a little stressful but worth it because once we got in we toured the nearly every room and enjoyed the art and architecture until closing time (6PM)  stopping only once for a brief lunch break!  We really had a great time!  Once we closed the place down we decided to walk to St Isaac's but it was closed as well.  We walked the riverwalk a little while taking pictures and enjoying the view but it was cold so we headed to a Chocoladnitza for warmth and a bite to eat before we headed back to the train.  Leaving St Petersburg about 11pm we again tucked ourselves into our cupelo with one additional bunkmate and all quickly fell asleep with visions of this special city in our heads.  Arriving in Moscow before rush our  - a quick metro ride, short walk and we were back in our home again!  Not sure what we did the rest of that day but the trip to St Petersburg was such a great time I began to  plan a trip like it with Clara and John before our move if our time allowed!

Sunny Day at Red Square and Christ the Redeemer

Checking out the spring decorations inside GYM on Red Square

Looking back to the Kremlin and Red Square from the bridge behind Christ the Redeemer.

Back to Red Square on a better day.  You never know what the weather will be in the spring anywhere in the world I think.  This day was much better though.  We toured Red Square as well as Christ the Redeemer Cathedral and everything else in between I think!

Snow storm on Red Square and Novodevichy Park

Yes I think Red Square was blocked off for the snow storm.  So it could easily be plowed and cleared I suppose.  I really don't know but it made for a fun picture.  We'll have to try to tour this another day I think!

From Red Square we went to Novedevichy Park where we enjoyed walking in the snow and taking pictures of the scenery. This is Aunt Jenny taking pictures of Aaron taking pictures of the "Make Way for Ducklings" monument given to the children of Russia by Barbara Bush in 1991.

My favorite!

I am not sure why but I just love the Art Train in Moscow!  I always feel so lucky when I happen upon it!  And it is just such a neat concept to have art on a train that randomly travels throughout the city.   We went out of our way a few stops to enjoy the art in several of the cars, then crossed the platform and backtracked to our original station to continue on our merry way!  So glad I happened upon it with my artsy sister!!  Good times!

Cirque du Soleil

Cirque Du Soleil Zarkana

Straight off the plane we dragged Aunt Jenny and cousin Aaron to the Cirque Du Soleil!  We had heard great things about this circus!  Our seats were farther back than we thought and really it was nothing more than a exotic circus,  but still fun and now we can say... "yes, we have seen Cirque du Soleil"!!

New Friends

Making new friends is always nice!  

Welcome to Moscow Luke McFaul!

Happy Birthday Seth!

We celebrated Seth's birthday small at home a little late this year as on his birthday he was on his Discovery trip to Split, Croatia with the school.  He spent his birthday week biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and exploring a cave.  This boy scout had a great time!!!!  Happy 17th bday young man!   

Viola Concert

 Clara continues to play viola.  Her teacher put together this concert and unfortunately daddy and I had a trip already planned and missed it.  Reuben was a cool big brother and made sure she got there and took some video for us along with taking this snapshot of the program.  I felt like I had been there!  I sure do love to hear her practice!

Touring the Bolshoi

 The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: Большо́й теа́тр, tr. Bol'shoy Teatr; IPA: [bɐlʲˈʂoj tʲɪˈatr], meaning Large, Great or Grand Theatre, also spelled Bolshoy) is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds performances of ballet andopera. The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are amongst the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world. The theatre is the parent company of The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, a world-famous leading school of ballet.

Looking down from the center of the highest balcony

Looking up from the floor

The main building of the theatre, rebuilt and renovated several times during its history, is a landmark of Moscow and Russia (its iconicneoclassical facade is depicted on the Russian 100-ruble banknote). On 28 October 2011, the Bolshoi was re-opened after an extensive six-year renovation that costed about 21 billion rubles (about $680 million).^[1] The renovation included restoring acoustics to the original quality (which had been lost during the Soviet Era), as well as restoring the original Imperial decor of the Bolshoi.^[

Dance costumes from Swan Lake

This was a fantastic place to tour.  Beautiful detail, elegance everywhere.  What a treat to be here to see it after the restoration!  Now if I can just get back in to see a ballet!  Tickets are hard to come right now that it has been closed for so long.

Sweet sleepy kitties

What can I write.  Aren't they precious?  They are such sweet companions.  

English Class in my home

This is taken from one of the last times our English class was held at my house in Moscow.  The group to be very large and everyone enjoyed the experience of just practicing their English along with visiting and chatting as we learned about one another.  English class was a highlight of my time in Moscow!

Eagle Scout Project

Time to get this done Seth!  This is last box to check off on the requirements!  Seth worked on organizing a donations room at our church for refugees in Moscow.  You can see it was a little bit of a mess making it difficult to access and distribute the clothing and shoes to those who needed it.  

 Seth worked out the planning and details making several shopping trips to see what materials were available and estimate the costs.  Things are expensive in Moscow so he had to work on getting the funding - ran a fundraiser and solicited family and friends to help with this worthy cause.  Then came the work.  This is the part he thrives in.  He loves a good day of hard work!  He had a good turn out of helper from the Scout Troop and everyone worked together to clean it out, construct the shelving, sort and fold clothing and then put it all back together again.

Seth doing what he loves to do... work!

Seth and Daniel coordinating together to get this project going with the church.

All those who helped. 

Much better, yes? Sweet success.

Little Chickadee

These were at the Turkish ladies coffee morning for Armed Forces Attaché Spouses Association.  The heads are made with quail eggs which are very common here.  Last Easter I decided that we should at least try them given the opportunity and guess who was a big fan!  Clara. Yes hard to believe I know.  And then myself, well, I usually love to try knew things and yet just couldn't bring myself to taste these.  And they look just like a small egg... but for some reason I just couldn't.  Anyway, this little tray of chickadees I thought was really cute.  The beak is a piece of carrot, the eyes a tiny piece of olive.  So cute... but I don't think I can find quail eggs at the grocery in the US can I?

Ice Skating at Gorky Park

One thing on the Moscow bucket list was to go ice skating at Gorky Park.  So as a birthday celebration it seemed the thing to do!  Especially Seth would be traveling on his Discovery week with school to Turkey.  Clara also would travel to Turkey with a drama group for her birthday.  So one afternoon we made our way with our skates over to the park and enjoyed our time of skating all together.  It was a really fun set up as a winding circular path through the park was turned into ice.  Everyone for the most part was going the same direction but all at their own pace.  

Happy birthday Seth, Reuben and Clara!

Happy Birthday Reuben!

Growing into such a great young man! 15 is a big year!  We are proud of you.