Vyto & Morgan visit! (August 30-Sept 1)

We were so happy that Darron’s youngest brother and fiancé Morgan decided to visit us in Russia on their way to Shanghai. It was a quick few days and we decided to spend that time in St. Petersburg. They arrived in Moscow on a Saturday evening and we left for St. Pete’s VERY early the next morning.

VJ asleep on the train

VJ & Morgan in St. Pete’s overlooking the Neva River

We toured the “Cruiser Aurora”

Brothers

My extremely strong hubby showing off his muscles as we toured the old ship

Church of our Saviour on the Blood. We waited for Morgan and VJ since we’d already been inside. An amazing Church!

 

Darron hired a driver to take us outside of St. Pete’s to the famous  Peterhof Gardens and Imperial Palace. We had a great day!

View of the Palace. Unfortunately, we didn’t plan very well and it was closed while we were there. Fortunately, the grounds were beautiful and we still had fun walking around.

VJ and Morgan

Famous vacation jump picture..you just gotta do it! Great job VJ!

Morgan did great too!

Many different fountain gardens

Another…

This was a fun one! You could try and get through without getting wet!

Of COURSE I had to try…Success!

Another one!

Morgan and VJ at the cascade fountain

Fountain show has started!

I have no idea what this is called, but I like this picture of us

We saw this castle looking place on our way out and just loved it! Doesn’t it look like it’s from a fairy tale?

On our way back to St. Pete’s, we stopped at Ekaterina Palace and walked around the grounds.

Thank you VJ and Morgan for coming to spend time with us!

My Newspaper debut!

When I saw the article in the Times asking if anybody from the region lived in Russia, I didn’t think too much about it. After several people forwarded me the article, I decided to contact the newspaper. I was asked for an interview, never thinking it was going to be on the front page!

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/article_1881456c-f081-5477-b4f7-d7cff9f0beda.html

Paris Get-A-Way with friends! (July 5-9th)

I cant’ believe it had been over a year since I had been back to Paris. Such a great feeling to be back! This time I was a tourist, but knew all the ins and outs of Paris. I was even surprised at how much French I remembered! We ate, hit all our favorite spots, ate, did lots of shopping, and ate more. There is nothing better than a fresh baguette or pain du chocolat from a Paris patisserie! I met my friend Erin there (who now lives in London) and also spent lots of time with my friend Elise, who was my first friend in Paris. It was HOT in Paris that week. Hotter than it had been in years. Basically unbearable to be outside, but we did it anyway and had a BLAST! Below is my old metro stop and r. de Rennes was my street! (Sortie means exit)

My apartment building on rue de Rennes…

Smelling (and eating!) fresh croissants and baguettes-one of the things I miss about Paris.

One of our favorite used English bookstores!

Elise, Erin and I having lunch.

Love all the little brasseries with outside seating

Erin and I and Notre Dame in the background

Elise and I and Notre Dame in the background

Seine River and the Notre Dame

Fighter Jets practicing for Bastille Day near Notre Dame

Saw these Russian type Nesting dolls and they cracked me up. It’s a stripper!

Ferris Wheel in the beautiful Tuileries Gardens

Many views from the ferris wheel

Elise from inside the ferris wheel

Elise and I up high in Paris!

 

Erin & Elise

Le Tour Eiffel

Dear God, Thank You for Crème Brulee! Amen.

Luxembourg Garden Palace

Jenn in Luxembourg Garden

Erin in Luxembourg Garden

Eating at one of our favorite crepe places! Oh how I miss Paris crepes!

GET IN MY BELLY!

 

P.S. God, Thank you also for ex-pat friends…my life wouldn’t be the same! Missing Janae and Chrissy though :-(