Working 9-5- Yeah Right!!

With all the talk of the recent Economy woes, I have taken the action to get another job during the holidays. So for all those who are in Utah and would like to come in for some great holiday shopping and to say "HELLLOOO!" to me. Here's where you'll find me working a few nights a week.



Ill be at the downtown location on 900 East. It is back to my old stomping grounds when I worked there before. Great people, great place to work and fabulous decor. I dont believe I made much the last time I was there, but I sure did furnish our apartment pretty cute. Just had too much on my plate at the time to stay. Now I'm back and grateful there are still people there who like and remember me.

So here is the soundbyte for Pier 1- they have awesome stuff in store around the holidays. Come in and take a look!

What time did you say?

For those that know, my siblings and I are getting ready for our brothers wedding in Hawaii. Yes, we will be saying Aloha tomorrow in the wee hours of the morning and I am trying my best to be prepared.

I remember how easy it was to pack when I only had myself to worry about and how care free the trip was. My long time "let's go somewhere new!" roommate Brit may recall the many trips we have taken together; Vegas, Europe, Russia, Peru. She was always up for a new adventure. Now the adventure is trying to stay sane instead of biting my husbands head off as we try to get through the security at the airport only to wrestle with getting situated on the plane.

So with time ticking away, I look at the clock and count down the hours until we need to be on a plane.... This is how I perceive my clock looks everytime I look at it.

Hopefully you can see it clear enough. All the #'s have been switched to the word "now". I think Sofia must have the same clock.....

Traditions

Now that I have finally become a part of the "kid club" I have really been trying to start some family tradtions with the girls. Sofia is at the age that she remembers some of the smaller ones that I have tried to pass on from my childhood days. Here's the question...Can you tell me some of your own traditions that you do (or would like to start). I would love to hear them and if you don't mind possibly incorporate some into our family. Keep in mind that imitation is the best form of flattery! So list away- you might even find some we do interesting.

• Every Sunday morning we make pancakes: it varies on what kind depending on what I have in the fridge. Some of our favorites are blueberry, applesauce, peach and banana. Sofia says "see" and drags the chair to watch me make the batter.
• Now that Sofia is past her first Christmas, as kids we were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve. Well be starting that tradition but having the girls open a "special" gift this year. Were going to have christmas pajamas each year. Artyom and I have matching and the girls will as well this year. So each year, the present our kids will open on Christmas Eve will always be thier Christmas Pajamas to put on and wear Christmas Day.
• Daddy/Daughter Date night- Artyom started this with Sofia when I just needed a break. Now we have decided that we need to do it with all of our kids. He takes Sofia out once a week for a night with Dad. It usually is only for an hour or two, but I love that he does it. It might get a bit complicated when Ella gets old enough to go and we add more to our brood, but we have already started the practice and want to keep it going.
• My girls (however many we end up having) will have christmas tree ornaments (all Russian ones). They get one each year and I put them in a box. I had heard of other moms doing this and then giving thier girls the ornaments when they get married. I loved the idea and am doing the same.
• Our tree is only decorated with Russian ornaments. I really try to incorporate our Russian culture and even try to keep the holidays that Russia celebrates.

Those are a few that I could think of...Please, list yours and lets brainstorm together!

Life's simple pleasures...

Granted, it would have been better if I could say this little outing was free...But she loved it so much (well worth the $2) that when we took her to the petting Zoo next to the horse rides, it took all 3 of us to tear her away from looking longingly through the fence to where "HER" horse stood...riderless once more.

Concert in the Park.

If you have not been to a concert in the park, please go. It is a great way to hear some fabulous music and spend some time with your family. We went to the "culture night" where a friend of ours was dancing in a Russian group. 

As most of the people were watching the dancers.....a few Russians we met were watching another Russian dancing queen...

Notice the shot I caught mid "jump

Blog Vomit

I am in no way making excuses for myself, but due to the fact that I have 2 kids, a husband, and work full time I rarely find the time to make up a creative blog entry let alone put in a picture as Sofia is often taking the garbage out of the can (she is doing this as I type...) and using the can as her personal shopping cart as she goes throughout our house which she mistakes as a Smith's.... Anyway. Excuse the blog vomit of entries one after the other and not spread out as I am taking advantage of some free time. 

Bragging rights...

So every parent has the right to brag about thier kids right? Well here is mine as I show off the talent of my friend Emily and her amazing talent for taking pictures.