Books are MOO-voulous

So if you are Sofia, you watch Wibur (a cow) and friends who say that reading is moo-voulous. Today after we got home from work, I went into the other room and peeked around the corner to see Sofia reading one of her Russian books. Although it certainly was not Russian she was speaking, I thought it was adorable to see. I tried to sneak a pic, but she turned when the flash came on. Rats! Still thought it was cute though...You can't but love that "deer in headlights look"

Ode to the Orange Rolls....

Sofia and I have been trying to start a tradition and have a fun breakfast every Saturday morning. Due to our church block being moved to 1pm (the worst in my book!) we have switched it many a time to Sunday. Much thanks to Grandpa for supplying the delicious blueberries he gave us at Christmas, we have made several batches of blueberry pancakes and were a bit sad when the last of the berries were used. Looking to shake things up a bit, I happened upon a sale at our Smith's grocery store and found orange rolls on sale for a $1 a tube.
I just made them again this weekend and had to write a small note about the first time we had orange rolls. Sofia and I had one to try them out and decided we really liked them. Especially for a mere $1. We let Artyom know they were ready and to come and try one as well. What seemed like a mere few minutes later this is what we found....













Needless to say I was a bit upset about losing the entire plate to a hungry husband. I thought he would eat a few, not the entire plate. I was quite susprised at my bittneress and must have shown it to Artyom because upon talking to his sister a few minutes after the "wulfing down of the rolls incident" he told her what had happened and my reaction to the whole thing. I remembered then that I really do have to take as much as I think I will eat when it comes to food with Artyom. Otherwise there will be nothing left when I decide if I want seconds or not. Even after I take my fill, if I decide my eyes were bigger than my stomach, he is always there to take it off my plate for me stating that his mom would never let things go to waste.

I must say that I was justified in my feelings about not getting the much wanted 2nd roll as a day later his mom called and gave Artyom a talking to. Appartantly his sister was also on my side and called Artyom's mom to let her know what attrocity her brother had done to his wife and his mom took haste action aganist him....

Let's just say in regards to today's plate of rolls-Artyom asked a few times if I was done before finishing them off.

Well....I've done it

One of my goals for 2008 was to find another source of income for our family to help us move onward and upward. I figured there was SOMETHING besides witty comebacks that could earn some greenbacks for the Martushev's. This was easier said than done and after we were already into the 2008 calendar year 3 months...I did it. I looked around and saw "one man's junk as another man's treasure" and decided to do what countless others have done...Now if I could only find something else I do somewhat well that I could feature. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Artyom's top 30

In lieu of Artyom's Birthday last weekend I decieded to post his very own top 30. Things you may or may not know about him- but things I know and love. So here goes:

1. He is an amazing Dad
2. I love his singing voice. We love to harmonize in church. His voice carries very well so we often have kids turning around and watching him sing. Its hilarious!
3. Loves the show Kyle XY (a show on ABC Family) he gets excited every week when he knows it is a new episode.
4. Hates broccoli.
5. Will eat ice cream for dinner any time of the week.
6. Was baptized 10 years ago in Russia.
7. Loves our Sofia.
8. He knows people from every country- he is a bit of a social butterfly.
9. Passionate for the NBA- especially for the Jazz at the moment- as they have Andrei Kirelenko.
10. He would literally eat at Olive Garden everyday and never get sick of it.
11. He NEVER forgets to tell me he loves me before hanging up the phone.

12. Gives the best leg/foot rubs...only when I am pregnant. His mom threatened that if he didn't, I would get vericose veins. Neither of us want that!
13. Is a fish in the water. A really good swimmer and ice skater.
14. Watched "DOG-the Bounty Hunter- until it went off the air due to his racially slurred-taped phone call. He even has an autographed book written by the Dog.
15. Is a night owl- I'm a morning person, so it works out.
16. Still gets up at night when Sofia needs some love.
17. Refuses to learn how to drive a stick shift.
18. Has the BEST sense of direction I have ever witnessed.
19. Rarely (aside from the occasional Little Caesar's pizza) does he purchase anything for himself.
20. I have yet to hear him raise his voice when angry or not.
21. Takes our Sofia on a date night with Dad once a week.
22. Eats whatever I put in front of him...except brocolli- see #4.
23. Loves to go on road trips with his family.
24. Does not snore (YES!) except when he has a bad cold.
25. Since moving to America has been to: Hawaii, Turkey, England, Scotland, Puerto Rico and all over the States.
26. Still trying to beat my high score on Chuzzle.
27. Won't wear much color- Black and gray are his sstaples for clothes (red if it is a U of U t-shirt).
28. Hoodies are his favorite thing to wear- and he looks super cute in them!
29. He loves Diet Coke...no ice.
30. Won't have ice in his drinks from the months of October to May.

Happy Birthday Artyom-the big 3-0!

This last weekend my hu-band turned the big 3-0. It wa quite a birthday weekend for him. We had both the cultural parties, spending Saturday (his actual b-day) in Provo with a bunch of his Russian friends and having the typical Russian birthday...lots of food!! Then we had a family celebration the next day with food all over again. Here are a few pics from the festivities.

This is the preparing the feast.....Borsht, and salads that bring me back to the Motherland!

Ready to eat.....

Including cupcakes- He did not even want a cake, but I told him I was American and his daughter was 50% American...and we do cakes on Birthdays....he settled for cupcakes.

And of course the the blowing out of the candles. We were able to fit 3 on a cupcake. He tried to go and hide...I found him in a closet. Then he said "nature called" and ran to the bathroom. So we brought the song and dance to him as he reappeared.

My sister in law tagged me about questions about my husband. I found out some things about my brother that I did not even know about. So here goes my shot-

What is his name? Artyom Aleksandrovich Martushev

How long have you been married? Little over 2 years (in December)

How long did you date? Hmm. That is a good question. I have known him for 10 years. We technically only dated about 3 weeks total with one on one face time. We "dated" for about 2 years.

How old is he? Just turned the big 3-0

Who eats more sweets? Him definitely. He is an ice cream fanatic and goes through peanut M&M's like crazy.

Who is taller? He is by about 3-4 inches. Just tall enough to still be able to wear heels and have him looking down at me.

Who can sing better? Artyom has a really good voice. We like to harmonize in church. I would say it is a toss up.

Who is smarter? He is- he married me.

Who does the laundry? I do. I had to show him how to use the washing machine when he first came over. There is an exception to this rule though. I refuse to wash his work clothes...and his unrolled socks. Gross.

Who pays the bills? I do. He has no interest in doing so.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do. Its closet to the door and when Sofia gets up, I am the lighter sleeper and go after her.

Who mows the lawn? We are apartment dwellers at the moment. No lawn as of yet.

Who cooks dinner? I do- except for Borscht. He makes it much better than I do and he is very particular in how it's made.

Who drives? That is a toss up. If were late- I do. If it is somewhere he wants to go- he does. It goes back and forth. I was just so used to driving us both around for so long after he got here, I don'd mind most of the time.

Who is more stubborn? Wow. I mean were talking a thick headed Russian vs. a Pederson female. I think it depends on the topic.

Who asked who out first? Well Artyom's version of "asking me out" was to ask me to come and visit in Russia. However, I was the first to call after he got home from his mission. So me?

Who has more siblings? I do. Artyom has one sister, I have 5 brothers.

Who wears the pants? Again, were both very stubborn people. But were learning each others "quirks" and try to compromise on most things.

Who saves, who spends? I spend- not on all frivolous stuff either. I just control the checkbook. He doesnt. Not to say that he saves, he just does not spend.

What is one of his quirks? Just one?! (just kidding!) His single response to the question of "How are you doing" is the same each and every time..."I'm still alive..." He thinks it is the most hilarious thing ever. It drives me crazy. Really. Try it out sometime. I guess with the accent it may sound better, but try hearing it 10 times a day.....yeah.

She really IS Russian!

It took us awhile to find and Artyom was not too excited about the idea, but we finally made it to the Russian Food Festival that a local Provoslovnic (sp?) church was holding to raise money for a new building. It ended up being a rather "quaint" setting-basically a very small one room building full of food to sample. Just to proove that Sofia really has that Russian blood running through her veins, I had to get a few pics showing her eating Borscht....That and I will use these later on in life when she tells me she hates and tries to refuse to eat it.

Snow...meet Sofia

I have wanted to get the initial introduction of snow and Sofia recorded for future posterity for some time now. The only problem was it was always a blizzard of snow, WAY too cold or I was just plain too lazy to bundle her up and go on out. A few weeks ago, I finally decided it was time as I was sure that Spring was on its way and things would warm up a bit. Alas, that has not been the case and ironically while I was typing away at this post, our power went out due to yet another blizzard that is currently dumping on us. Anyway. Here is the story of Sofia and Snow's first meeting.

Things started out fine....

So far...so good....

Until.....

It went a bit south after that...Notice her reaching for my outstretched hand....

It was homeward bound after that...we decided we would wait a bit for the 2nd date. No happily ever after yet with this love affair...but we have high hopes!

Artyom was in the computer room shortly after Sofia woke up and she was making her rounds around the apartment as usual. I must not have fully been awake because amid the "rounding" she grabbed a small tub of Doritos and ran into her room to have her breakfast alone. I went in to check on her and found her on the floor. Before I let Artyom off the hook by cleaning up the mess she had made directly behind his back, I snapped these precious pics.

Disclaimer: she does not eat Doritos for breakfast and I would never allow her to do so...again.