A beach unlike Galveston...

There are too many differences between this Portland beach and Galveston. The main difference I'm sure you can tell--it was cold!!

This was the first trip to the water before lunch. We walked around a bit and the kids dipped their toes in.

After lunch it was bathing suit time. They were swimming yet it was cold enough I wanted them to wear their jackets...hmmm...

A nice end to a busy week

It has been a busy week here in Moscow. I started work on Monday evening at the control center here. Its a very interesting facility, in some places very ornate and museum-like, in other places very simple, its a neat place though and a cool job. On console we were busy with a couple of failed computers and the failed undocking attempt on Thursday. Friday was supposed to be a day off for me but I got a call at 8am to be ready to head into work since the Soyuz was still up there (did I mention I was up until 5am getting the house sale stuff done?). It was a great first week though, ready for the day shifts next week.

Since I wasn't able to get out alot during daylight hours I made a point to get out and enjoy the sunny Saturday. I headed a few Metro stops north to a big open pavillion like area.

This is the Monument to the Conquerors of Space, right outside the metro stop.

Here is one of the fountains, Stone Flower Fountain, in the middle of the plaza

This is the Friendship of Nations Fountain, very beautiful. There are benches all around, I sat there and rested enjoying the great weather and people watching.

This is the Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monuement. We drive by it everyday on the way to work so I had to go explore

This is the Central Pavillion, like most of the architecture here, very ornate and detailed.

It was a great area to relax and soke in the city and people watch a bit. So 1 week down 8 to go, its hard being away from home but I have been able to find ways to keep busy and still get to talk to Jen and the kids everynight. Selling the house was an interesting wrinkle this week, hopefully next week will be a little calmer.

Scooter Twins

Scooter twins is what Scott is calling he and Sydney now. An early 2nd year birthday present arrived from Nana today. Boy they were happy each having their own scooter!

Afternoon on the Farm

Alrighty, so my pictures are so out of order but I don't have the patience to reload them so this will have to do. We headed to the pumpkin patch this afternoon but pumpking picking doesn't begin until tomorrow so it was all about the farm animals instead!

Who could resist chasing chickens?!

Feeding the goats...

This was at the very end of the outing. We had stopped in the store for some apple donuts and they had painted shopping carts (green, orange, red and Sydney's favorite Purple). So after buying the donuts we left the shopping carts to eat at the picnic tables. Sydney cried and cried. Actually it was more like fake crying but still...Great Grandma took her back to the carts for another go.

I guess she is still upset about it all :o)

This is the Nut House. Scott and Sydney are not to sure but...

that didn't last to long for Scott. He was rolling around in no time.

Sydney finally made it in. She stayed in that one spot.

Happy birthday to Nana!

The kids picked out some party goods for Nana's birthday. Of course a birthday cake is not complete without candles Scott insisted on 2 boxes.

Portland Park

After half a day of traveling it was nice to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day at the park!

We made it to Portland!

We made it to Portland after two flights. These are the only photos I was able to take since flying with two small children, one being a lap child, does not lend it self well to photo taking. Unfortunatly I was "that person with the screaming child" on flight number 2. Otherwise we made it safely and without any problems. This is breakfast before our first flight. Who knew Gumi Lifesavers could be so good at 7:30am?!

T

Animal Lover

Sydney is the animal lover of the 2 and this is her new cat. He goes everywhere with her these days. Before I was able to get the camera she was showing "cat" around the living room.

Here "cat" is saying cheese!

Yet another rainy day...

Yesterday it rained and rained. I guess there's no better way to enjoy a down pour than this! This time it was Sydney's idea and Scott copied.

A Day in the City

After some sleep I woke up refreshed and ready to head out into the city. I walked out of my hotel and down towards Red Square. Walking through the streets its hard to tell Moscow from any other major European City but it surprised me how green it was. There are parks here and there and flowers that I was not expecting.

View of the front of my hotel.

Statue on the way to Red Square.

I got to Red Square and it was an amazing site. I've been lucky to see many places around the world but Red Square is just as grand and impressive as any of them. Its a very expansive area and carries mystic about it. You feel a real sense of history as you walk around, its a somber feeling but one of great pride in the hardships that have been endured, very interesting.

View from outside the Square, gardens surround the square.

Changing of the gaurd ceremony at Tomb of Unkown Soldier.

St. Basils Cathedral. This is one of those things that you see the pictures and have an idea of what to expect but its totally different being there. Its not the size or any one thing in particular, again I just think its the significance of the place itself and what it iconifies.

Lenin's Tomb

View of the Square.

Proof that I really am here (or I am really good at photoshop)

So it was a great day getting to know the city. Weather was sunny and 60 so perfect for just wandering around. All my Russian language training also came in handy today, I got a little lost coming back from the Metro and stopped a lady to ask for directions. Amoung other things I was instructed to do was turn right at the stand selling banannas, so I figure if I can understand that I have a pretty good start.

Rain Play

Our swim play date was cancelled thanks to the rain so instead of staying indoors we headed outside to play in the rain.

Scott is attempting to walk into the rain with Sydney under the umbrella with him. Too bad she doesn't understand and just gets mad that he won't let her hold the umbrella and is walking too fast.

We quickly moved to the front yard once I saw the mud in the back.

Sydney doesn't quite understand the purpose of an umbrella yet but she ran to stand with Scott.

Off to the puddle!

They have reached the puddle.

Time for a break.

Scott insisted he eat his ravioli outside in the rain.