Today is proving to be a rough day so I thought I'd share a funny. Made me laugh and made my day a little brighter.

I'll be updating birthdays etc a little later.

January 19, 2009

Mom and I had planned yesterday to take my boys and nephews to the aquarium. We did not check the weather so this is what we woke up to. Didn't stop us though! Kelly even took the day off so we got to have some great family time.
It was Sasha and Igor's 6 months anniversary home from Russia so what better way to celebrate than at the aquarium?!

When we first walked in there was a large fish tank. Igor was so excited to see them.
Sasha on the other hand was very scared through the whole thing. We are discovering that he has a hard time with new places and things. He likes to watch others do something first and then if he feels safe he will join in.

To keep Sasha above the chaos of people walking around Kelly put him on top of the stroller and pushed him around and showed him all the fish. Sasha really enjoyed it.

Kristofer had to "Raaaah at the shark painting.

Fish gazing.

Papa and Kristofer checking out the cool turtles.

Froggy ride!

Austin was so nice to take the little boys through the play place and down the slide.

Alex and Kristofer posing in the window.

Shark petting.

Instead of using two fingers to pet the sharks Austin used his whole hand and did a firm pet. The shark kept coming back for more!

Family photo!

January 17, 2008

Today we went to Logan's birthday party at a place called Snappers and the kids had a blast. They had the big blow up slides, trampoline with budgie cords, and lots of other fun things.
Happy Birthday Logan and thanks for inviting us.

(Logan and Sasha were in the same room in their orphanage together. Logan came home a couple of weeks before Sasha.)

Logan and Kristofer had a ball on the trampoline.

Kristofer really enjoyed the huge jungle gym with the fastest slides ever!

It took Sasha a while to get on the blowup slide, but after seeing everyone else having so much fun he had to join in.

Igor got very tired and had to have a thumb break.

Sasha discovered himself in the mirror and had fun making faces at himself.

Love those books.

Sasha did a great job stacking the blocks.

January 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Igor!!!

To my sweet little Igor,

Your personality is very happy go lucky and you enjoy reading books and playing quietly. You and your big brother Dima get along very well right now too. When he is gone for awhile and comes home the joy on your face is so sweet.

Your personality seems to be the “follower” and you are taking on your brother Sasha’s grumpy behavior. I am hoping this will be short lived and your happy personality will continue to shine through. I cannot imagine my life without you in it and I am so happy to be your mommy. These past 6 months that I have spent with you have been a joy.

Love,

Mommy

This evening we celebrated Igor’s 2^nd birthday. I made a new pork chop recipe (see end of post) that turned out awesome and we had cupcakes for dessert which the boys thoroughly enjoyed.

When Kelly got out the camera it triggered a tantrum from Sasha.

When I brought out the present Igor raised his hands up and said, “PREEEESENT!” He was so excited!

Papa had to help free the airplane since it is packaged like Ft. Knox.

Igor enjoyed flying it around the room.

We got a package in the mail yesterday and Kelly’s Aunt Carol made the boys blankets When the box was opened and Kelly said what was inside Sasha raised up his hands and started saying, “blankie!” it was the highlight of his night. Thank you Aunt Carol (Cinci)

Chops with Mushroom Gravy

½ cup flour

1 to 2 teaspoons paprika

1 ½ teaspoons salt

¼ pepper

6 to 8 boneless pork loin chops (1 inch thick)

¼ cup butter

1 med. Onion, chopped

½ cup green pepper, chopped

1 can (4 oz) mushrooms, drained

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons lemon juice

In a large resealable bag, combine the first four ingredients. Add pork chops, one at a time; toss to coat. Set remaining flour mixture aside. In a large skillet, sauté chops in butter until golden brown; transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish.

In the same skillet, sauté onion, green pepper and mushrooms until tender. Stir in reserved flour mixture; gradually add milk until blended. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice. Pour over chops. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until is no longer pink. Serve with potatoes

Yield 6-8 servings

**Note**

This recipe could easily be cooked in the crock-pot. I would cook on low 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours.

You could substitute beef or chicken instead of pork chops.