Moscow: Braving the Blizzard

So even though it was a blizzard, we decided to brave the Moscow traffic and weather and drive down to Red Square with the kids. It took almost two hours, but we made it. The kids didn't last too long in the cold. But they were good sports.

Pink sisters in the midst of all this red!

Mommy and Ty-Ty all bundled up in the storm.

The back side of St. Basil's. It's really just a giant parking lot.

Walking across the Moscow River in the storm. We could barely see, but Rob and I navigated our way through the streets to visit the Tretyakovsky Gallery. We went to the one with Russian art, which wasn't quite as appealing as the newer Tretyakovsky, but still very interesting and a nice break from the cold and snow.

I just had to take this picture of Moscow traffic. I have never seen such terrible traffic in my life. This is something that wasn't a big problem back in 1992 or 1995, for that matter. But apparently, lots of people now have cars, but they haven't created more parking spaces. So most people just park anywhere along the streets without any consequence. This ends up blocking traffic. Plus, nobody follows the rules, which ends up creating even further traffic hazards. My dad is a brave soul to navigate through this traffic everyday. It took us about 2 hours to get anywhere in Moscow. Kashmar! (What a nightmare!)

Moscow: All About Town

The day after Christmas, we did our own version of after-Christmas shopping at a place called Ismailovo. When I was here, it was a giant market called Ismailovsky Park where people just stood and sold their fur shapkas and matrushka dolls. Anyhow, now it's more civilized with actual booths. Unfortunately, we didn't stay long because the girls soaked through their boots in the melting snow and froze. But each of the girls got a matrushka doll with a Pushkin fairytale painted on it. Something I hope they'll treasure. Tyler got a cheap nesting doll that he absolutely loves to play with.

Here we are at the entrance to Red Square. Wow, it's been a long time since I've been here. Much more commercial all around. But still stunningly beautiful.

Rob and me. We left the kids at my parents house with a babysitter. I don't think they would have lasted in the cold. I don't know how the Russian kids bear it.

President and Sister Woolley (Mom and Dad) in their home-sweet-home town right now. During all the times I've lived in/visited Russia, I never would have guessed my parents would be living here.

Rob and I in front of Lenin's tomb. This place used to have a long, winding line of visitors. Now, nobody really cares much about seeing the great architect of Soviet communism.

Soldiers changing guard in front of Lenin's tomb.

Here we are in front of GUM--what used to be the largest department store in Russia. It is now a giant mall full of high-end fashion stores.

In front of good old St. Basil's Cathedral. Still as strikingly beautiful as ever. Even Rob was impressed.

Another view of Ivan the Terrible's masterpiece. (Apparently he had the eyes of the architect poked out after he built this so that he could build nothing more beautiful.)

A view of Red Square from St. Basil's. The nice thing about coming to Moscow in the winter is that there aren't so many crowds. (However, the metro is still a big crowded mess. I had to scold several people for butting in the metro ticket line. That hasn't changed in the past 17 years.)

Christmastime in the GUM shopping mall.

Touring the Kremlin churches. I still remember coming here for the first time back in 1986. Still just as beautiful.

Dad and Rob in front of one of the Kremlin churches.

I'm so glad that the Soviets preserved all of these old Russian Orthodox Churches. So unique! After this, we toured through the State Armoury, which basically has most of the the treasures from the former Russian Tsars. I don't think I've been there since 1990. I forgot how incredible it is -- full of all kinds of crowns, state gifts and, my favorite, the Cinderella carriages. The Soviets did a good thing by sticking them all in a museum, rather than selling them off.

Standing over the Moscow River.

My parents live just a couple metro stops away from where I used to work in a kindergarten back in 1992. We stopped off so that I could find my old kindergarten. I was shocked that my legs just carried me right back to the same spot after 17 years. There are lots more stores around, but some of the same nearby stores still exist too -- which surprised me in a city that has undergone such dramatic change over the past two decades.

What a trip down memory lane!

Moscow: Christmas with Family

We have spent the past 3 Christmases in Switzerland, far away from most family. So this year, we decided to head to Moscow, Russia to spend Christmas with my parents. Because I myself am a self-described "Russophile", I have always wanted Rob to see this country. Maybe winter was not the best time to show him Moscow, but it was still worth it! My parents moved to Moscow in July to run a mission for our church there. They are usually traveling constantly to Kazakhstan, Belorus, etc. But this week they stuck around to spend time with us!

The whole family in freshly fallen snow on Red Square. We actually just took the kids out to take this picture and walk around Red Square, then threw them back in the car with Grandma and Grandpa while Rob and I left to explore. It was just TOO COLD to take the kids many places, so they spent a lot of time playing at Grandma's and Grandpa's house. They did, however, get to see the Circus, which was amazing. It had the regular trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers and dancers, but it also had a REAL BEAR ON ICESKATES that played hockey. I've never seen anything as strange as that! We actually went to the Circus with the family of an old friend of mine, Volodya, from when I lived here 17 years ago!

Christmas morning. We all woke up late because of all the excitement the night before. (Translation: the kids wouldn't go to sleep!) The girls had a great time opening a few presents we brought with us. These are their their dancing dresses (which play real music)!

Tyler and his new truck. Vroooom!

"Let me see what you've got there, guys."

My mom brought back some beautiful winter princess capes from Estonia. The girls love them!

Christmas in Switzerland

We are spending Christmas in Moscow, so we decided to do a little family Christmas today before we leave. (I didn't want to lug all our presents on the plane.) The girls got these cute Christmas nightgowns from Grandma Judie and Grandpa Steve.

Tyler was just happy to check out all the wrapping paper and presents!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Christmas cookie decorating!

Every Christmas that I've been here in Switzerland, I have done a Christmas cookie decorating party. Things just got busy this year so I didn't plan one. But this one kind of emerged organically. We had Linda, Anna Claire's friend, over for a playdate to make some cookies and the neighborhood turned up too. (We sort of live in a Backyardigans setting, where the neighbor kids run from house to house.) It ended up being lots of fun for the kids. Although, after seeing the kids lick everything in sight, I personally would not touch one of those cookies. :)

Anna Claire proudly displaying her artwork.

Caught red-handed. . .

Tyler is becoming a little mischief maker. He is a super fast crawler. The other day, he was playing in the playroom and I turned to make dinner in the kitchen. Before I knew it, Tyler had crawled past me, out the open door (the girls leave this open) and down the road/sidewalk past the neighbors house. I didn't know he'd escaped until I heard a little moaning outside the window. Fortunately, our complex doesn't open out to the street. But, still, a bit scary. His favorite pasttime right now is getting into the dishwasher. Today, I came upstairs to find this.

Caught red-handed!

"Ah, I don't care if Mommy catches me, I'm going for it anyway."

SWIIINNNGGG!

SWIIINNNGGG! This time it's a family affair. Don't you love these big hammock swings?

Winter crafts

It's cold and 'tis the season for me to come up with lots of crafts for the kids. We've made reindeer from hands and feet, sparkly pictures, Christmas cards, etc. Here is the gingerbread house we made for Family Home Evening. Unfortunately, about 2 days later, the candy was all eaten off!

Anna, the thinker. She sat on this stool and said, "Mom, take a picture of me, I'm the thinker." I'm impressed that my daughter is already familiar with Rodin. One of the benefits of living in Europe!

Homemade playdough! I tried a new recipe and the dough is perfect. So soft and supple, but not sticky.

Zurich at Christmastime

This evening, we took the train into Zurich to check out the festivities. Right after we hopped on the crowded train, Mariah found herself a seat and promptly fell asleep. I couldn't resist taking this photo.

Anna Claire, on the other hand, just wanted to get to town as quickly as possible.

Every year, they put up a giant Christmas tree in the main train station in Zurich. The tree is covered in Swarovski crystals. Apparently, it is so valuable, that armed guards watch it 24/7. This is my attempt to get a picture above the crowds. The market in the train station was packed. If I let go of the kids for a second, I lost them in the crowd.

Pink sisters in front of the giant tree.

Check out all those crystals. It's a wonder the tree doesn't sag with all the weight.

Zurich lit up for Christmas.

Christmastime and Samichlaus!

The season of Christmas gatherings is here. Yesterday, Rob had his work party. Of course, spouses were not invited. Why are all companies cutting out the spouses from the holiday parties? I mean, is a party with just your co-workers really that fun? You really need the spouses. And it's a chance for us to meet our spouses co-workers. Feeling left out, a bunch of the company spouses decided to do a parallel party. But, this one also included kids. My friend Nancy had a bunch of us over for dinner, cookie and Christmas tree decorating. We had a great time!

Here is Tyler playing with his little neighbor girlfriend, Hala.

The next morning, we went to the company Christmas party for kids. Again, more cookies to decorate. Anna Claire and Mariah were in heaven!

Then, Santa's elf read the kids a story.

Finally, a visit from Samichlaus himself. Samichlaus does not come on Christmas Eve to deliver goodies and presents. He comes on December 6 and brings nuts, candies and fruit. The Christkind (an angel) brings the gifts on Christmas Eve.