Mother's Day
While the women were sipping on champagne on Mother's Day the men were cooking the brunch of all time! This picture leaves a lot to be desired but it shows all the men in the kitchen at once - L to R: Steve, Yuri, Dad and Jesse (running from the camera).
Yuri and I were out of town for Rory's preschool graduation but fortunately for her there were lots of grandparents in the audience.
Rory and her Grandma Linda.
Rory and Massie with Grandma Karen who flew into town to spend time with the kiddos. Conveniently missing from the picture is Grandpa Sid.
And finally, Rory with Grandad Andy. Grandma Judy was on her way to Turkey so she also missed the celebration.
Europe - Stop #1 Prague
Yuri and I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on June 12th (I have a feeling that by the time this is posted this sentence should have been in the past tense); to celebrate we hopped on a plane and flew to Europe. Our first stop was Prague!
The city is fabulous. There is no doubt in my mind that once word gets out how special this city is it will be overrun by visitors. Book your ticket now!
Below is a picture of Martin, Yuri and me shortly after landing. Martin calls Prague home and showed us the sights and sounds of the town.
Here are Yuri and Martin at my favorite little cafe in Prague. Because Martin is a regular they took quite good care of us.
Martin got us an invitation to join a group of local Prague hob-nobbers on the Vltava River for a boat cruise. Unlike our experience with the locals we met on the streets and in the shops, most of the attendees didn't speak English. Luckily a fun young couple (he was from the UK and she was raised in Prague) sat with us. We had a wonderful time drinking champagne and getting to know them; we were having such fun that we were among the last to leave the boat. It turned out that the boat party was held to allow for the Bishop to bless the vessel. It was a pretty neat experience and we will always have fond memories of the fun people we met and the wacky but interesting night.
One evening Martin brought us down to the river walk to take in the nightlife. There were hundreds of people just milling about, having picnics or just drinking copious amounts of alcohol. It was a pretty magical setting. Martin's friend, Michael and his girlfriend (pictured below) also joined us.
Side trip - Kutna Hora
Yuri and I took a day trip from Prague to a little town called Kunta Hora. There we visited the bone church which displays the of approximately 40,000 people as decoration. It may seem creepy but I think I like the idea of my bones being used as art once my soul leaves this planet.
The town of Kunta Hora is a quaint town with unlimited, untapped potential. At one time the city was more populated than Prague but has since become a virtual ghost town. While visiting we went underground on the silver mine tour - Yuri loved it; however, I nearly had a panic attack. Who knew I would have an issue with being in an underground maze, not much wider than my hips, in a country that doesn't have OSHA regulations. I should have also mentioned that we went on this tour the day after the mines collapsed in Turkey. Needless to say - I couldn't get out fast enough.
Side Trip - Cesky Krumlov
Cesky Krulov is one of the most beautiful and magical places on this earth. We now know where Walt Disney visited to come up with the European Towns in his Disney properties. Breathtaking.
Sitting on the bank of the river at a great little vegetarian joint.
This isn't a picture from Google...we took this! This is how amazingly quaint this town is.
This is my favorite picture of the trip. Relaxing while leaning on my hubby and taking in the sites. What a beautiful day.
Stop #2 - Vienna
We took a train from Prague to Vienna and were pleasantly surprised when we emerged into the city center from the underground station. The town is vibrant with a historic charm that was unexpected. There are chic Europeans everywhere - shopping, sipping on coffee and milling about. Yuri talked me into being the kind of tourist I'm generally not a fan of...those on bus tours. But, I got over my embarrassment and hopped on the bus with him.
The only negative thing I can say about Vienna is that their cuisine is definitely meat centric. One restaurant we ended up at only had two options on the menu that weren't meat: french fries and deep fried mushrooms. Luckily, I enjoy fries and mushrooms and I certainly enjoyed the chocolate that could be found on every street corner.
Stop #3 - Paris
Last stop of our trip found us in Paris. This was the most anticipated leg of the trip for me and it didn't disappoint! Fresh off the plane, here we are on the Pont Neuf or 'new bridge' which is actually the oldest bridge in Paris.
And yet another selfie in the gardens at Versailles.
Yuri and I like to travel differently. He is a "ball of yarn" tourist - the kind that need to see all the 'spots' featured in travel books. I am a "when in Rome" tourist - I just want to get lost in the city; eat the food, drink the wine and wander the streets. Our second day in Paris was dubbed the Landmark Day - we went to all the sites. Obviously we got a shot with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Before arriving in Paris I had envisioned us sitting in sidewalk cafes, sipping on coffee (or champagne) and munching on croissants; this is exactly what we did! Below is a picture of Yuri and I at one of the cafe's in the neighborhood we stayed in.
While the Parents are Away...
The girls got to stay with all three sets of grandparents while we were overseas. It appears that Uncle Jesse also hung out with them a bit. Below is a picture he sent me with Rory posing in front of a mini Harley...so cute.
Rory and Massie with Grandad Andy on the river.
Returning Home
Rory's Dance Recital
We were fortunate enough to get home in time for Rory's dance recital. She was an amazing performer - she remembered all the moves (even when those around her froze) and most importantly enjoyed her time on stage.
Here is Rory with her friends, Emma and Angelina. They certainly are cute little ballerinas.
WWWW Fun - Lisa turns 50
Also immediately after returning home I was able to attend Lisa Sundborg's 50th birthday party (the first of two parties). Her daughter, Jacyn, gave a roast that included not only the guest of honor but also those of us in attendance. We had a great time celebrating all that is Lisa!!
Massie's Minion Birthday Party
Little Massie Morgan is three - how is this possible? As much as I don't want her to get older the fact is that she is...so, we had a party.
Massie on the morning of her birthday party with two of her "despicable me" themed party gifts - an "it's so fluffy!" unicorn and a fart ray gun. Believe me, I've since regretted the last purchase.
The kiddos posing with the minion pinata before he got bashed in and gutted.
The big kids finding shade on a hot day.
The bigger kids finding shade...
If you haven't seen despicable me I can't help explain the next two pictures.
Summer Sports
Rory's summer has been spent trying out new sports. Unfortunately Massie is still too young to partake in any of them so she has to watch from afar and doesn't appreciate it too much. Below is Rory at a "try tennis" event with her good friend Gelissa.
Yuri signed Rory up for Tee Ball and he wasn't too happy with me when she showed up on the field with a pink mitt. In my defense it was a good quality leather version. Needless-to-say the next time she hit the diamond Yuri equipped her with a gender neutral version.
Flash dance meets roller derby.
What a great picture of a father teaching his daughter to ride a bike without training wheels. I wish I could say that she picked it right up but let's just say that they are still working on the skills necessary to take it to the big league.
Kiddo Summer Fun
Rory and Massie playing dress up with their cousin Estelle.
Sassy Massie in a poncho. Paying homage to Yuri's roots.
Big kids in the big pool - clockwise from the bottom: Rory, Bruce, Estelle and neighbor friend, Symone.
Cutest dirty/grubby face you'll ever see.
Little kiddos in the little pool. Clockwise from bottom left: Massie, Estelle, Marianne and Ari.
Yuri and his girls on the pond. Look across the lake at the trees in the far left of the picture. If all goes well our new home will replace those trees at some point in the next few years.
And cousin Estelle joins the fun...
Next up...more summer fun!
