December 2010 in Pictures

December was busy. One weekend, we had 6 events scheduled. The kids enjoyed learning about insulation at home school group and frosting cookies with their friends. I have no pictures, but we were there.

That evening, Mr. YH and I had a "gala" to attend. This was the event scheduled late in the game that bumped my cookie exchange. And then I found out just days ahead of time that Mr. YH was to wear his mess dress and I was in near panic mode. Thankfully, I had brought a dress I had forgotten about and even more thanks were offered up that it fit after 10 years. Girls, do not underestimate the necessity of an all-purpose black dress! {And I've got my eye on several more, hoping the price comes down so I am not put in this precarious position again!} So anyway, we gallivanted off to the gala and stood around trying to chit chat with the military diplomatic community while an opera singer serenaded us. Why they thought she needed a microphone, I have no idea. The Ukrainian folk singer dressed like an American cowboy did not need it either. Quite frankly, the lovely orchestra would have been just the right amount of background music, in my opinion. Marci has pictures because I ran out the door without our camera, but Marci is in the Carpathians skiing right now.

The next morning, we headed off to the embassy for Big Girl's ballet recital. They were simply showcasing what they've learned and it was not a formal recital per se.

Not every ballet recital has an American and Ukrainian flag in the background.

Or uses tables as the bar.

{This is for Rachel- I'm so proud of her pointed toes!}

The tree in the Ambassador's Residence.
We went to a reception for all post employees.

The First Dog, Louis.
{Notice, I did not dress my kids up.
This was event #5 in 2 days' time.}

Children's Christmas Program at church-
BG was an angel.

The girls were so thrilled to have real dove feathers on their wings!

Big Girl and her friend (to her right) were
disappointed they had such small roles in the program.
They had one line each.

This is one of our missionary friends' little boys-

he and Baby Girl just love each other
(in case you couldn't tell!).
They are like this with
each other all.of.the.time.!!!!!!!!!
She saw me hold the camera up, and leaned in.
{Name that movie.}

The following weekend,
the girls and I got to attend this
cutie-pie's ballet birthday party.

Her parents made a ballet bar in their playroom for her as her gift.
Here are all the little ballerinas and the cute tutus Amy made for them.

The next evening,
we had the cookie exchange
and it was a huge success!

The ladies are filling out a card
to put by the plate they prepared.

Refreshments

I dropped these off the following day,
and the guys were pretty excited!

Funny story about those flowers- I stopped in the metro on the way home from church to get them. I originally told her 5 red ones (you can't buy an even number here). Then I changed my mind and told her to give me 3 red and 4 white. She looked at me and said, "That won't be pretty." To which I leaned in, gave her my teacher look, and asked, "Why?" She felt that the size difference would ruin the look and then shrugged and let me get them.

So anyway, the table of cookies to be exchanged- so good!!!

We made turtles- you can see those photos here if you missed them.

And we have an annual Gingerbread Day
inside the Yellow Hat.
This year, it happened to take place on Christmas Eve day.

That morning, we had gingerbread shaped pancakes.
While I prepared them, the kids played with the games.


That afternoon, we were going to make cookies.
The Boy had begun to come down with something, so he was in bed
while the girls had fun in the kitchen.

This little one insists she wear her hat
every time she puts on her "abraham."

Before nap time, we read some of our favorite stories
and had puppets handy to help act them out.

Big Girl built this "foamie" Gingerbread house
while the little ones rested.


Then, it was off to church
for our Christmas Eve service.

After church, we went to our friends' home
for some good food and fellowship.
It looks like something was in the punch, doesn't it?!
That's the pastor next to me. ha!

I threw those last two photos in because someone else took them and
I felt I ought to show you that I was actually present at these activities!

And I guess Christmas is just too big to tag on the end of this post,
so it'll have to wait! The festivities are actually continuing- New Year's Day
is a much bigger deal here (leftover from Soviet atheist times) and
Orthodox Christmas is on January 7!

Turtles

I had to run over to the embassy last week
and they happened to have the 3 ingredients
for one of our favorite treats:
Turtles.

My little bakers donned their aprons and hats and got busy.

I love how you can see their personalities and ages
come through in the way they arranged the treats on the trays!
Can you guess who did what?!

The finished product- Y.U.M.!

Recipe for Turtles:

square pretzels
package of Rolos (I prefer them individually wrapped- it takes the kids longer!)
pecan halves

Place pretzels on cookie sheet. Put a Rolo on each. Put in the oven at about 150-200* F for several minutes (until chocolate is just softened). Push a pecan half into the chocolate. Put in fridge to harden. {This is a fun recipe to have on hand if you have little people visiting- it keeps them busy while the adults talk and then you can enjoy a yummy treat together!}

You've Got Mail

2010 Christmas Card Out-takes

Take 1:
early evening at the lake.
My father-in-law went with us...
and watched from the shore.
He had a good show!

Take 2:
the next morning.
You can see a bluish tint on these
because I still don't know how to do much on this camera!
(I'm going to learn in 2011!!)
My awesome sister-in-law fixed the one for the card.

I would have cried
had she fallen in!

And after that, I got THE shot!