Rada Comes to Maryland

She first met us at the Kokshetau airport in the dark, freezing rain of a November night; the only one as we stepped off the Yak onto an icy tarmac that spoke English and could tell us what to do next (namely, load up our luggage and hold on for a bumpy ride to the babyhouse). As you all know, that trip did not go as expected, and Rada's shock and hurt for us those first few days was genuine, as was her happiness when we finally found Owen.

Rada made sure that upon our return she would again be our interpreter, and the three of us spent many hours together that January and February - walking around Tsum and the Green Market for souvenirs and gifts (but nothing made in China!!); eating lunch at Rainbow Cafe or the Turkish pizza place; hunting down a hair dryer, a microwave and hangers (all of which caused her to think we were a bit crazy); playing with Owen in the apartment; and one memorable night, going to a bar to watch soccer and have a few beers. Petite, pretty, stubborn, proud and smart, Rada will forever be a very special part of our family.

She's been in Las Vegas the past seven months, and as she finally had a few days off, we decided to fly her to Baltimore for a visit! I can't say for sure that Owen remembered Rada, but he was instantly at ease with her.



With only one day to sight see, we decided to take Rada to the Inner Harbor and aquarium. I think she very much enjoyed seeing the wide variety of fish and critters, and getting a glimpse of Baltimore's charms.








For dinner we headed back to the house to meet up with Cearra (who had arrived earlier in the afternoon), and then to Sakura Japanese Steak House - another new experience for Rada ... and Owen, who really liked his drinks paper fan.




It's part of the performance there to have the chef dice up shrimp and toss them at the patrons to catch in their mouths (I always feel a bit like a trained seal at this point). We decided to let Owen have a go at it, and he thought it was great fun - repeating several times after the fact "one, two, three, ahhhhh ... it hits me in the eye!" (please don't call the authorities, he wasn't hurt!).


So Rada is now on her way back to Vegas, and hopefully it won't be another three years before we are all together once again!

Merry Christmas!

Hoping your Christmas was as special as ours!

We spent Christmas Eve day (aka Nana's birthday) with my parents and Uncle Rich and Aunt Cathy Pennsylvania. That evening we feasted on a yummy meal and exchanged presents. The next afternoon we joined more family, including the newest family member, adorable 3-month old Chase Kaufmann, at my Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Bud's house. The thing I like best about the holidays is being with family - we are so lucky to be able to do so.

Get ready ...


go!



Owen had a wonderful time - we'd give him a gift to open, he'd play happily with it while the rest of us took a turn unwrapping, then back to Owen for another toy and more fun!

The "Grabber" was inspired by Owen's love of the arcade size games you see at malls, restaurants, etc. We all took a turn trying our luck ...




Santa and his helpers also brought Owen a rescue helicopter, remote control car, gummy bears (which O shared with Pop-pop and Uncle Rich), a tape measure ...


yard tools (so funny - he'd put the safety goggles on while "operating" them!)...




and of course a beloved and much wished for John Deere green tractor (although I know he's still secretly hoping for the BIG John Deere tractor his friends Nick and Dylan have. Maybe for his birthday.)!


Happy New Year!

A White Christmas

Yeah for a white Christmas! Westminster got about 20" of snow and I'm sure it will stick around through the week.

We woke up Saturday morning to a thick covering of the fluffy stuff with much more to come. As Bob tried to stay ahead of the flurries with the snow blower, Owen and I stayed snug inside baking butter cookies and checking out the front door for accumulation.


Sunday was clear and bright so we all bundled up and had some fun. Owen got stuck a few times as the snow was above his knees!



That night we went across the street to our friends' the Jillsons for a Christmas party and much to the surprise and delight of the little ones, Santa stopped by! Owen climbed right into his lap and asked for - what else - a green tractor.


Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Our First Christmas Celebration

I like Christmas a lot. So the fact that this year we will be celebrating Christmas at least four times is all good for me!

Our first celebration was with my sister's gang who drove in from Green Bay in time for the annual Pisle/Walton (mom's side of the family) gathering. Kris, Jeff, Sam, Kenzie and Riley arrived at my parents Thursday morning, and Owen and I joined them shortly thereafter. Owen and Sam had a blast running around outside - that big rock has been a favorite for kids since back in my day - while Kenzie preferred relaxing with her mom, and Riley charmed everyone with big smiles and hugs.




Friday was our trip to the Please Touch Museum; that night Bob and Cearra joined us, as did Aunt Cathy and Uncle Rich. We enjoyed dinner and lots of Christmas cookies and exchanged gifts - Riley's present was bigger than him! - with the Wisconsin gang. Love the princesses in their tutu PJs!




Saturday we all went to Aunt Joan and Uncle Phil's house for the party - it's always so good to see my extended family! Before Jeff and Kris got on the road home we stopped at McDonald's for a quick bite and to let the kids burn off some more energy ... which Owen and Sam did by bouncing around on the booths.


All in all a great way to kick off our December!

Touch-Play-Laugh-Wonder

I think these pictures speak pretty well to all the wonderful things we explored at Philly's Please Touch Museum with Nana, Pop-pop, and my sister's gang, so no long write-up or witty commentary (ha-ha) for this one.

Well, that and the fact that I'm having a bit of a free time/blog time conundrum lately, but will do my best to post again soon about our recent trip to PA to celebrate an early Christmas!










Hmmm, is Owen letting the pigeon drive the bus???

Kickoff to Christmas

Last Tuesday ... Bob leaves the house at 3AM headed for Guatamala ... Owen gets a freak nosebleed in the shoe department of Kohl's ... I'm holding my breath all day as my dad undergoes a heart procedure ... Cearra tells me on facebook (sometimes the best way to communicate with a busy college student) that she is feeling sick ... the dishwasher malfunctions and leaks water all over the kitchen floor ... and Salt (the fish) seems to be on her last legs (fins?).

Flash forward to Thursday: Cearra has made it home, and dosed up on OJ and Dayquil, we are driving through rain and fog to West Virginia for Bob's family's annual Thanksgiving feast. And despite the fact that Bob isn't with us, I am more than thankful.

I have a wonderful "second" family - Nanny, Pam, Gene, Todd, Maria, Hannah and more aunts, uncles and cousins - who embrace us and cheer us, and my entire family is healthy (my dad did great in surgery) and happy. I have Cearra and Owen, my greatest gifts, and a wonderful - if currently far away - husband. I have a comfortable home and good food to eat and share. I have friends who help prop me up and make me laugh. I have a blessed life.



Owen and I found a ladybug ...


and let her take a walk up O's arm before taking her outside.

That night Bob makes it home, and fixes the dishwasher. And the four of us have the rest of the long weekend together to celebrate our Thanksgiving.

We kick off the countdown to Christmas by setting up our tree. It's in the living room this year (just barely fits heightwise!) as we are soon getting new carpet and paint in the family room and don't want to have to move it mid-December.


Owen helps Daddy with tree set-up!



As is our tradition, we take turns placing a special ornament on the tree first - for Owen, a felt camel from his birthplace; Cearra chooses acorns given to her by Nana and Pop-pop last year to represent Mary Baldwin (you may remember that the mascot is a squirrel); Bob hangs a Ravens ornament, and as I do every year ...


I place my donkey on a prominent branch.

With Christmas music playing we complete the tree and it is beautiful! Owen really enjoys it and hangs many ornaments - all in the same spot - by himself. I later redistribute them a bit (smile).





Later that evening we head to downtown Westminster for the annual Holiday Parade. Perched on Daddy's shoulders, Owen is transfixed by the cars and marching bands and lighted floats and firetrucks. We wave to each of the nine (!) Santas and my heart is full of the joy and promise of the season.




On Sunday we add a little sparkle to the outside of the house and enjoy lunch and football (both on TV and in the yard) together before Cearra has to head back to school.



It's going to be one wonderful Christmas! Stay tuned!