While the past year or so has been full, and I have so pictures and stories to share, putting them on the blog never seems to make it up into the "Top 25 Things I Need To Do Today" list! I am realizing though, as the kids get older, that I do want them to have a repository you might say, of memories...a place they can go to check that fading thought about when we did what thing and where.
So, here is my attempt to do a quick update on the Fall of 2022 and thru the holidays!
Once school gets going, the harvest time hits. It can be harder and more expensive to get all the good fruits and veggies in the winter time, so we take a few days to do all the bazaar shopping and then cooking and canning we can do to ensure we have good food all winter long.
First batch of spaghetti sauce, yum!
Taking the kids out on coffee dates, especially Sissi, is something we try to prioritize. Getting them to open up and share their thoughts and dreams and keep those communication lines open when they're teens is so important.
Gwangi has been leading a Role Playing Group (RPG) this year and here he is, planning out his story...this is all the rooms and scenarios the characters will encounter as they "Choose Their Own Adventure" through the story he's created as the Game Master (GM).
Getting in one last hike with friends before the weather starts to turn cold. We finally made it out to the waterfall at Belogorka.
Picnic lunch is always a favorite.
It was kind of late in the year, so not much water flowing, but we'll try again next season to do it earlier.
Me and my girl.
Indy, Gwangi, Vera, and Sissi.
Kids with their friends.
A birthday care package is always fun to get!
We try to make it to the Philharmonia a couple of times a season to see some of our dear friends play in the Manas Presidential Chamber Orchestra.
It's SAT Season!
We had some major issues with the mother of our landlords (who live and work in Moscow) and for about a week or so were seriously considering whether or not we would have to move. It all started over a chair...this is our replacement, a gift from a friend in our time of need!
Senior Photo time for Gwangi!
My favorite of his Senior Photos!
Indy's brother was able to come and visit and check out Bishkek.
.jpeg)
It was a fabulous couple of days with him and we're so grateful he came. It can get awfully lonely living here when we don't see close friends and family for years at a time.
Part of Gwangi's RPG group, being silly.
He has also started painting Star Wars mini-figures for the Legion game. He is so amazingly detailed in his work.
Just a few more of his painted guys. They literally start off in pieces and a solid grey color. He has to assemble, prime, paint, and base them.
Playing a round of Legion with his dad.
These guys are ready for a battle.
Just had to throw in one of a dozen pictures I had of Clara sunbathing.
Indy was busy all of the way through the middle of November with clients for our business, Taigan Expeditions. This was a horse trek he took in November to the Shar Waterfall, the highest waterfall in all of Central Asia.
Ordering felt ornaments for our Christmas Tree from some local artisans we are working with in the Naryn region.
Sissi and I were able to go to Vienna for a few days for an Inspire Women's Conference. So beautiful and right when the Christmas Markets were opening.
Doing a fun photo shoot in Vienna with my girl.
Came back from Vienna and it was Thanksgiving and we always put up the tree the weekend of Thanksgiving...
And this year, we put up a 2nd tree. First time ever!
And we decorated the banisters. Super fun.
Then, it was our 25th Wedding Anniversary and so we took 2 nights and went away to the Jannat Resort down by Teple Kluch. Here we are, relaxing and talking in their Winter Conservatory. Loved the idea and will have to incorporate it in our long term retirement house.
Following that, my 48th birthday and flowers from Indy.
With a 2nd tree, you have to have a 2nd tree skirt, so I took my family movie time, podcast time, and some free evenings to do my first ever crocheted color work project and make a tree skirt. It turned out great.
And, of course, the kids are still doing school work through all of this.
And multi media presentations on occasion so they'll be ready for some public speaking, Power Points, etc, in college and the working world.
Then, Christmas Break hits and older brother and a friend come back to visit Kyrgyzstan.
Indy got flowers for Sissi before going to take her SAT that had been delayed because the tests hadn't made it to Kyrgyzstan in time.
We decorated the outside tree once Krypto arrive in country.
Sissi had a Winter Formal to attend with her friends from Hope Academy. She went with her friend Paul, who plays Prince John to her Maid Marion in the upcoming Spring Drama - Robin Hood and the Heroes of Sherwood Forest.
A one shot Murder Mystery RPG that Krypto created for Christmas Break.
Getting our sushi fix while Krypto is in town. Hard to believe in a land locked country but all of that sushi is less than $20.
Another gathering of friends for a game and movie night over Christmas Break.
Dog and cat treats for the holiday.
Earrings that Sissi got for Christmas.
Fun story is she really wanted them when we were in Vienna, but by the time she was ready to buy them, we couldn't find them for sale anywhere. Our friend that we traveled with picked them up for her after we came back to Bishkek.
Cuddling up under the blankets on Christmas morning.
Some dried flowers that I picked out for Sissi.
Some jewelry that she had picked out while we were in Vienna.
It was the Christmas of Star Wars Legion for Gwangi. He'll be busy painting until his birthday in May.
Love that Vera was laying her head on Krypto as he was opening gifts. She missed her boy!
Marvel Champions card game for Krypto.
More books, cause you can never have too many books.
These are solitaire RPG game guides.
More Legion.
Sissi and I got matching purses from SiRo. Handmade right here in KG!
Some solitaire games for Indy.
And, a character created for Indy by Gwangi on Hero Forge for him to use in their ongoing RPG.
Some fun DVDs to watch.
Christmas time means The Nutcracker!
At the Bishkek Opera House to see The Nutcracker.
Lovely performance.
Out with friends after the show, walking through the downtown area.
Coffee and dessert after The Nutcracker.
My boys!
Christmas Ski Trip to Karakol with friends.
I often am not in pictures, so trying to do the selfie thing a bit more.
Sissi decided to learn how to snowboard this year. So glad we had friends along who could give her some lessons.
Holding a friend upside down on his snowboard is always a great photo op, right?!
All (most of?) the teens together.
Hanging out together after a long day of skiing.
We got to meet with some friends that live in Karakol all but one of the days we were there. It was great to brainstorm and talk business and encourage one another in our work.
Getting out on the blue runs.
Taking a break after a particularly step section. It's hard to see it in the picture, but they had just come down a difficult area.
I got to ride up with Krypto and Ian a couple of times. Love these guys!
Family photo on New Year's Day, after going to church.
Krypto is maintaining a 4.0 (Dean's List) at Liberty University and is still in the Honors Program, AFROTC, and writing up a storm. He's got another 18 credit semester coming up with Historical Methodology, Health, Theology II (Honors), Inspirational Writing, Russian II, Speech and Communication (Honors), and Air Force ROTC.
You can check out his short stories on the Royal Road website.
You can check out his short stories on the Royal Road website.
New snow this morning, the 4th of January It's definitely a Winter Wonderland here in Bishkek.
