Alex's first skiing experience. Believe it!

On a beautiful sunny holiday Monday we all went skiing at Solitude. Well, Babushka didn't exactly ski but sat on the warm, sunny patio enjoying the great weather and watching Alex during times when he didn't want to ski and the parents went off to have a great day on the slopes. Actually, I have to go back an hour and explain how this trip happened. Dave and I planned on going skiing on that day for a while. So when the day came, we got up early, got ready and loaded the car. Suddenly, Alex started crying and saying that he wanted to go skiing too! Well, we didn't exactly plan on that! Being the good parents that we are, we felt bad and decided to take him with us. Along came Babushka to help us watch Alex in case he hated skiing. Fortunately, we rented Alex's skis very fast at the Lift House rental shop at the base of the Big Cottonwood canyon (by the way, great place for rentals AND winter gear. They have literally EVERYTHING you can think of). And off we went expecting a great day on the slopes, considering it was a bright sunny day, around 30 degrees F. Let's just hope that Sandy Cheeks does well while we're gone!

Alex was very excited to get on top of the mountain and start skiing.


But his skiing was off to a rough start... He actually told us he didn't like skiing and wanted to go sit with Babushka at the lodge.

So Dave and I had to go for a couple of hours just by ourselves to do some real skiing!!! Check it out!


After lunch papa bought Alex some very cool goggles so Alex of course wanted to give skiing another try.

Another try on the slopes...



It took some time for Alex to figure out how to stay balanced on his two feet.

By the end of the day Alex actually got pretty good at going down the mountain... by himself! Believe it or not- it only took 1 day to teach a 3-year-old how to fly down the mountain. Why is everything so much easier for little kids?


The end of the last run- time to go home. Sandy is waiting for us all alone.

Tired and happy we waited by the lodge while Dave was getting the car (if anyone has skied on a perfect holiday day in Utah, you'd know how FAR you have to park if you don't get there by 0830am...).


I have to mention, if there are skiers out there reading this blog... You HAVE to come and experience the best snow on earth in Utah. Don't believe me? Come out and try! I guarantee you won't find lightest, driest powder anywhere! I'm a believer in skiing in Utah (and it comes from somebody that is NOT a local :))!
When we came home the doggie left us a surprise... a big mess she created out of boredom. Mo-o-om! The dog made a mess! O well, she is after all just a puppy and I'm sure she did her best...

Ice skating outing

Last thursday we decided to go free skiing at Alta again, so we got together with our friends, got all dressed up, skis and all and headed up to the Little Cottonwood canyon. It promised to be a great evening on the slopes and we were in a cheerful mood. As soon as we got to the canyon we realized that something was wrong... There were police cars everywhere blocking the entrance to the canyon. Well, we found out that there was an avalanche in the canyon and they were working on cleaning it up and making sure that no more avalanches happen. After waiting for good 20 min we learned that the canyon wasn't going to be open any time soon and, disappointed, we headed back home. The only relief was that at least we didn't get stuck on the mountain unable to come back home or even worse, stuck in the avalanche. So I guess in a way we were lucky.
Being creative and adventurous people that we are we decided to go ice skating at the Gallivan center instead. And so we did!



Our friends the Hendricksons came with us.

I had to help Alex quite a bit at first. He seems to enjoy skating (wonder where he gets that from).

When Alex got a little more comfortable he actually "skated" on his own! He mostly walked on ice but it was an improvement from last year when he just hung off of me while I dragged him around the ice. Well, I need to mention that he fell on his bum and didn't want to skate after that.

The kids got tired quickly so they stood on the side just looking and learning from the parents.

The evening ended with us relaxing in the hot tub at the Henderson's house (nakonets-to). When we finally came home that evening I've never slept better. This evening might have convinced Dave that we also need a hot tub :)))

The beginning of 2008

I just realized that this is my first post this year and it's already the end of January! Wow school really does take a toll on me, I don't even notice how fast time goes by. Nevertheless we have actually been having a lot of fun lately. We have been partying with our friends The Hendersons and The Amoros's almost every weekend. It just happens to be that one of us thinks of something fun to do and we all drop everything and dive right in.
This last Friday we all went skiing for free at Alta. It was out first time on the slopes this season. I had a great time but Dave really did suffer. Poor thing, he broke in his new boots and they almost killed his feet. Apparently he got the wrong size (after exchanging them once he still somehow ended up with the wrong size). If only he would listen to the Woman and actually try things on a little bit more thorough while still at the store... It's ok though because he already went back and exchanged the boots once again under my supervision so this time he got the right kind :)) Now he can't wait to hit the slopes again and try out his newest purchase. And if all goes according to plan, he'll get to do it in less than 2 weeks.
Alex also wanted to go skiing with us and when we left the house he was crying. We felt so bad so next time we'll have to take him with us. He even wanted us to get him ski boots when we were shopping for Dave. He calls them "skiding boots".

Here are some of our Friday pictures:



Ok, now I can't hold back and not share with everybody my "off season" gardening experience. This thing is called AeroGarden and you can grow herbs, tomatoes, even flowers in it. It is all organic so there are no harsh chemicals involved (yeah, this is what's it's all about). I am growing cherry tomatoes (red and yellow), dill and basil. If there was more room I'd grow more!

Believe it or not but these tomato plants grew this big from seeds in only 5 weeks! I'm excited to see them actually produce little tomatoes. I'll keep you posted.

S Novim Godom!

S Novim Godom, dorogie druz'ya i rodnie! Happy New Year to everyone. Let the new year be the new beginning- the beginning of new hopes and dreams. We wish those of you who want something very badly to finally get it in the new year. We wish you all happiness, great health, healthy relationships, success in all areas of your lives, and wisdom. May all your dreams come true (for real!).
Пусть будет просторной уютная норка, чтоб сало в ней было, шампунь и икорка, росли горы сыра и больше и выше! Спокойствия, мира, добра! С Годом мыши!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas has finally come and gone. It was a fun couple of days spent with family. We have been pretty much relaxing since my school ended and Dave took time off work just to be home. It is nice because now I can ask him to fix things around the house on more days than just Saturdays :)) We have also been spending a lot more time outside as is obvious by our numerous outside pictures. Sandy of course is the main reason but we also like to play in the snow and take long walks to the nearby home building site. It is quiet and very peaceful (at least now) to walk there.




On Christmas Eve we were treated to a play put up by the cousins (and some unsuspecting adults). Kids had lots of fun. We opened presents which always turns out to be a chaotic but fun activity at the Gudgell's house. We even got to take a picture of Nana and Pa with all of their grandkids- something to take with them on their mission. The boys then had too much fun playing with the boxes taking turns hiding in them.







Ever since the childhood I've been fascinated with the Christmas lights. There is something about the twinkling lights on the tree that makes me stop and look at them. Christmas season is so magical in so many ways. This is probably why I love decorating my house for Christmas and I take time to admire the beauty of it every day because I know that soon it will all be taken down until the next year...


Christmas morning at our house started with a very excited Alex posing for a picture under the tree with all the presents underneath it. He got very lucky this year. Santa Claus (or Ded Moroz) brought him everything he asked for and more. This year is the first one that Alex really understood what Christmas is about (well, at least he understood the commercialized part of it- that Santa Claus comes this time of year and brings presents). It's a beginning though!

Don't you love what kids say?

So here is one for the laughs... The day after we got Sandy Cheeks, in the early morning we were in the kitchen training her to go potty on the newspapers carefully arranged by the back door (the idea is to eventually put the papers outside so she can go there). Being a very smart puppy she immediately caught on and did her business. After she did it I gave her a treat and praised her. Alex was standing there in his PJs mesmerized by what just happened. The next thing I know Alex comes up to me and says: "Mama, I need to go pee". So I started to take him to the bathroom, as usual, but he resisted me and dragged me the other way. Puzzled, I went with him. He took me to the newspapers where Sandy just did her business and started to take his PJs off. When I asked what he was doing, Alex said: "Alex wants to pee on paper. Alex wants a treat!"
I can't describe to you how hard we were laughing. I had to sit down with Alex and explain to him why puppies go on the newspapers and boys go in the toilet. I think he got it because it never happened again. But did we ever get a good laugh!

Winter Wonderland... and another surprise!

Recently we had our biggest snowstorm of the year so far. We didn't waste time, we played outside all day long. Alex loved it and so did the parents. We cleaned the snow off the walkways all day (ok, I should admit that Dave did most of it, I just threw snowballs at him), built a snowman, even tried him in a Mexican outfit, which worked the best.








This is the morning after our biggest snow storm. I had to take Dave to the airport in the early morning and on the way back I noticed how crisp and clear the air was. The pictures speak for themselves!


Our house inside and out after we decorated it. This year we decided to deviate from our normal red and gold ornaments. We went for a combination of blue, green, silver and gold. I think it turned out great. Judge for yourselves.



And here comes the surprise! We have an addition to our family. She is a beagle puppy, 7 weeks old. Alex named her Sandy Cheeks :) She's so adorable! Everyone is welcome to come and visit Sandy. Alex will tell you all about her. He's very proud to have his very own dog!