Christmas lights at Temple Square

Yes. It has been since October since I posted last. Yes. I have it on my 2012 resolutions list to post more-if not for Grandpa, then at least for me! And last of all yes. I have excuses, but none that would be worth writing about. So onward to the present.

We always want to go to Temple Square and see the lights and we seem to always pick the coldest and busiest day to see them. This year was no exception...except for maybe one. We got a KILLER parking spot! And since Artyom was staying on for a bit with the Russians while I took the girls home to bed, I was so stoked. We were parked DIRECTLY in front of Temple Square and did not have to walk a mile to get there. It. was. awesome. I was somewhat less impressed when we got back to the car and we had 2 cars ahead of us (where there were NO parking spaces) but it worked out. This year we did not take any chances in being cold. We bundled up the girls in snowsuits and went and saw the lights. It was a great evening.Sofia trying her luck at picture taking- she did great I thought!

5

My first born Sofia...you are 5 today. That means 5 years ago today, you made me a mama. Your mama and have blessed mine and Papa's life every day since with your sweet spirit, your laugh and your smile. We named you Sofia after your friend Sofia Y. in Russia and it has suited you perfectly. You may not remember it now, but here are a few things about you that I have noticed lately now that you are a "big kid".

• You called me at work this morning thanking you for the note I left on your placemat on the table. I was so glad to wish you a Happy Birthday and cannot wait to see your face when I susprise you with lunch in just a few hours. Our own special date- just Sofia and Mama. I'm even going to bring balloons!



• You have heard me telling you I love you a few extra times today....it's because I do.



• You have not wandered from wanting a Unicorn Pillow Pet for the last few months-even though we were trying to persuade you in getting a panda one...they were 50% off. But you stood your ground and thanks to a co-worker, you will be getting your wish.



• You are the epitome of "Girl" loving pink and purple, dolls and dresses and "jewels". Don't get me wrong, you do have an athletic side to you (weve seen it especially in soccer) but you are GIRL down to the core.



• You STILL will not allow me to cut your hair (just small trims here and there). You have the softest head known to mankind, but are getting much better about making sure it is brushed thoroughly and love to see it in curls, as you say- "just like you mama".



• Your sister Ella is by far your biggest fan and best friend. You guys are so cute together and you love when Ella calls you "sister" which is 99% of the time.



• Papa is still your favorite person to see walk through the door in the evening and the only one worthy to read "skaskee" at night.



• Your Russian improves every day and you love to learn.



• When I asked your opinion about my earrings the other day you told me they were "rockin".



• You asked when you would be 13 because it is taking "FOREVER" to get here. I just smiled and said to hang on just a little bit longer.



• Questions, questions, questions are what I hear day in and day out. And if I cannot answer them, you wait patiently until I call Grandpa to ask his opinion...



• You love Grandma Pederson so very much and tell me stories every day about what you and Grandma did, how SHE would cook dinner in comparison to me how much she loves your long hair and always ask if we can go and see her. Oh sweets....That's my wish too.

These last 5 years have flown by and I cannot imagine what the years would have been like without you in them to fill with love, laughter, tears, frustration, anxiety and all the other emotions that being a mother brings.

Have a wonderful year as a 5 year old Birthday Girl. We love you.

'Atta kid!

Artyom has been able to go to the last few games of Sof's and since he is by far her biggest fan, was able to catch some pics of Sofia. Can I just say- this kid is a rockstar! She has scored at every game since she "found her groove" and is loving playing with the team. She still get a bit upset when she does not make a goal or gets shoved out of a play, and her shoelaces still are a constant isuse.... HOWEVER-I'm SO glad we decided to put her in with her bestie Holden. They are so fun to watch and even though they may act like brother and sister most of the time, it's great.

Grandpa and Uncle Jon, these pics are for you. Jon you have a soccer star neice in the making...just thought you outta know.

Getting ready to play, with Coach Matt giving the "Yellow Dragons" a pep talk.
Sofia has the ball and she is going for it!! Run Sofia- RUN!!!Doing her victory Dance...and yes, she does indeed dance. We parents on the sidelines have a chuckle each and every time.

The tale of two Sofia's

Meet Sofia Y. (on the left) and Sofia M. (on the right). The tale? Here is some background for ya. Artyom has a best friend, Kolya that he had to leave in the Motherland when he came over here to marry me- now that's love huh? Anyway, Kolya got married and had a baby girl and they named her Sofia. When our news that we were having our first girl came, I did not have much say in what we were going to name our new little bundle. Artyom was pretty set on the name Sofia. I even remember talking about names as we Honeymoon'd in San Francisco. He was adamant about it even then! This summer Kolya, Yulia and Sofia (thier eldest-they have since had another girl (yep- just like us named Dasha) were able to come and spend some time in the states and Sofia Y's Birthday happened while she was here so the "American-Russians" threw her a princess pinata party.

Our good friends the Flamm's (same ones we went to Wyoming with) hosted it at thier new house, even though they had just moved in like 5 minutes before. The girls played dress up and got on some princess wear, we took the pinata in the basement, and it was a blast! I hope that Sofia had fun (the both of them) and that we will be able to do it again sometime in the future.

It was SO fun to hear our Sofia speaking Russian so much more with her new BFF Sofia Y. around. Sofia M. still asks when we will go and visit Sofia Y. and her family...I hope soon baby girl...Papa missess his BFF just as much as you do.

The Blog of Eli

*ALL PICS SELFISHLY STOLEN FROM COUSIN JOSH- AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR BEING THE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER...WE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT THE MEMORIES ON FILM!!!

Jon came home safely from Iraq and he made the rounds with his son, Eli and Heidi in tow. It was FAR too short of a visit to get to know the handsome little man, but were glad we got to see him for a few days at least! Here is Elijah and Eli meeting. 2nd cousins (?!) born about a month apart.

First cousins Woodrow (Woody who belongs to Paul and Liane) and Eli (who belongs to Jon and Heidi). They are about 4 months apart in age.

Cute little family! Jon was in Iraq for about 6 months so I heard it took Eli a few days to REALLY warm up and remember his Dad. Now, you would not even know that Jon was ever gone. So stinkin cute.

Heidi and sleepy Eli

Some of the next generation of kids-Sof and Ella are missing since we were trying to get to Bountiful after an overweighted van had it and blew out our back tire while traveling at very fast speeds outside of Burley, ID. Yeah... THAT is another story. HOWEVER! From L to R: Madalyn, Woodrow, Maya, Eli and Elijah.

Grandpas Legacy

Weve been so very anxious to get up to Grandpa Demars Cabin and a few weeks back, we just did it. We were joined by Nikki, Cody and thier 5 kids and Jacki and Tim and thier 2 boys. Yep. Your math would be correct. We had 6 adults....and count em...9 kids... and we had a blast!!
The adventure of Sunday was an upclose greeting with this big guy. He came right up to the play area where all the kids were. Cody was there to casually suggest they go back inside...It was fine till one of the kids spotted "THE MOOSE" and it went a little haywire from there. This pic was taken safely from the balcony as he made his way around. I forgot how HUGE these things are!!

What trip to the cabin would be complete without smores?! They were oh so good! But when arent they?!

The one pic we all go together. The rest of the time was just trying to get any pics at all -it prooved to be a bit difficult when youre trying to keep track of 9 kids.

We went on a walk and met the cutest couple on thier way up to thier cabin who invited us to go on thier slide. It was awesome! It went from thier deck to the ground into a sand pit and each kid got some turns going down. So fun!!!

This is Sofia's newest way to make sure her monkey does not get lost. it may stretch out her collar in the shirt, but I could not help but let her. It was so cute the way she came up with it and it really did keep monkey in place!

Cute Cousins

I love that our family gets together for birthdays, etc. and we were even more excited when Matt and Vero and thier 2 kiddos moved back to Utah. We love having more cousins to play with. Maya and Elijah were so fun to play with. Were so happy you guys are here!!

LOVE this pic. It started out with a few of the girls all piling on Luke, it ended up with us piling ALL the girls on him. It was awesome. From Left to Right: Ella, Maya, Sofia and Mady.

Pioneer Day

If you are lucky enough to live in Utah- you (usually) get the 24th of July off for Pioneer Day! We get another parade (although its downtown this time) and the girls got to go with Betsy and her sister Renee. I was unfortunately working since the rest of the US does not quite understand our State Holiday. But they had a blast- and that is what counts. Sofia getting comfortable with Betsy- Im so glad she doesnt mind!!

Tantrums, tears and triumph.

Hard to believe, but the days of soccer, dance, swimming, etc. have started. Sofia played in her very first soccer game this last Wednesday. Here she is on the sidelines with Holden cheering on the other member of "The Green Dragons" (her team name)...

She had practice on Saturday and was a bit apprehensive about playing saying she was not as fast as the other kids and never got the ball...Hmm. This is where the tears came in. I love this pic as it shows how most of the team is- you have your "happy go lucky kid" (on the far left) who is just having some fun regardless, the "ball hog kid" who is the biggest on the team and doesnt quite get that it's a "TEAM" sport quite yet (2nd in from left), Holden the "hustle kid" who just wants some action and is happy to at least kick the ball and then the "I'm so frustrated I'm going to cry and need a hug every 2 seconds" kid....Sofia. She was the fave of the moms on the sidelines saying how cute she was, and ahhh. precious. I was the exception. I was the one saying "get in it Sof!! Get tough!!! You can do it!!!" And you know what? It worked.
Check out that determinded little face on her. Jacki took this one and when she showed it to me said, "See she is IN IT!" And I had to agree. Go Sofia.

The game ended in triumph! A 2-1 win for the Green Dragons first game. These are the moments I dreamed about before I became a mom hoping that someday I would have them. I am so grateful for the chance now that they are here.

Russian Preschool

Since Artyom only speaks Russian to the girls at home and me you ask? Well, Ill be honest- it is defnitely NOT 100% and partly because Sofia always tells me, "Mama, you're speaking like Papa again- speak English!" It makes me laugh...So awhile back I tried to get a Russian Prek going since I could not find one in the Salt Lake City Valley and it just did not happen as I could not be home 3x a week to do it. Well we were in luck because our very good friend Veronika (from Russia) wanted to start one too-and our house became the place to be at 11:30 each Saturday. Until we find another spot, get more kids, etc. its a party at the Martushev's.

There are usually about 6-8 kids that come and for now, they are all in one group. Eventually we would like to split the group into beginner and advanced and yours truly will be the beginner group teacher! It will be like my mission all over again trying to learn a language with little kids (who seriously are the best teachers- they say easy words, they dont get frustrated with you, and they just giggle when you make a mistake). Except this time it will be in reverse...Ill try not to giggle though...much.

The girls LOVE it. Sofia has learned and began to be so much more comfortable with speaking and even her friends know that she says words 2 ways. Her bff Holden will "quiz" her alot asking what words are in Russian, and for the most part- she knows them! Both the Red Flame and I love to hear her embrace both cultures she was privledged to be born with and we are so thankful to Veronika for getting this off the ground. She is a natural born teacher and the kids all adore her.

Come see us!

Still a Molalla Buckeroo at heart I guess

Growing up in Molalla, Oregon there are not many memories I have that do not in one way, shape or form involve cowboy boots, cows or at the heart of it-The Molalla Buckeroo. I can't say that I was a fan of the gear, animals or rodeo back then, but the older I get, I realize that it was a pretty magical time. Especially during the month of July. It was our yearly treat to go to the live showing of the Ramblin Rod show and get some free tickets to go on the carnival rides that made there way to the small town of Molalla year after year. We are not in Molalla, Oregon these days so last year, we were able to go to another Rodeo and stay with Patrice at Aunt Kris' cabin in Horse Creek. This year we went with friends who also have a family cabin in the area. We decided that on the July 24 holiday, this is going to have to become a family tradition with the Martushev's. We had a wonderful time and are so grateful for the hospitality the Flamm Family showed us- Thanks guys!!!

The little Buckeroo's- Ella, Sofia and Sofia-visiting from Russia.

The boys went out shooting- The Red Flame getting ready to hit the target- don't even ask me what kind of gun that is- I know I will be disappointing my Dad...but I have no idea...How bout any guy out there name 3 top designers of handbags? That's what I thought...

SO fun to get to chat with the ladies! Kim, Yulia (also visiting from Russia) and me.

Some background on the stampede of kids. Its thier annual bunny catching race. Sofia AND Ella were able to enter the race this time and although Sof was in TEARS since she was not one of the lucky(?) kids to grab a bunny, Ella was content enough to get the consolation prize- A licorice red rope. Maybe next year sweets...

Abby (Bryan and Kim's oldest) was nice enough to take the kids out on the 4-wheeler. Again, and again, and again. Sof was great at never forgetting the importance of the helmet.

Her chance at stearing the 4-wheeler. You rough rider you!

The kids favorite thing about the inside of the cabin- the self playing piano. OH Man. The kids were going NUTS over this thing. It was pretty fun to watch. We finally had to unplug it to stop the insanity (and kids desperately needed naps!).

More 4th of July

Told you they were coming...Were BIG fans of the 4th of July at our house. This year I had done so many different outfits with a bandana, I just tried to get creative with the RWB. I think we did ok...Check out those clouds in the background- it was so humid. We got a few drops on us a couple of times, but that did not dampen these girls Patriotic spirit! My BFF Jacki was a good sport and let me drag her around to store after store looking for a red bandana for Sofia (which I ended up finding at home anyway-sigh). She was a bit apprehensive at how it would all come together when I was trying to explain "my vision" but even she agreed after seeing her in it, that it was stinkin cute!! And we HAD to have the RED! The three cousins- Sofia, Madalyn and Ella. Cutie patooties. Following the parade, lunch at chick-fil-a, a nap and a BBQ with fireworks at a neighborhood block party, we walked to our park to see the West Jordan fireworks. We are sooo lucky to be close by. There were cars EVERYWHERE.

There may or may ot have been some horsing around involving the Red Flame and his girls. It was all about the glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces. A must have and SO fun.

Happy 4th of July everyone!