tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16274155083944854192024-02-20T07:04:41.934-07:00Barnes BlogThe Barnes family is awesome... I should know I am one.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-26577945705104897402012-08-13T10:12:00.000-06:002012-08-13T10:15:42.011-06:00Sean is here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sean Cannon Barnes Born 8:05 am on August 2, 2012. 8 pounds 9 ounces.</div>
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I forgot how sleepy newborns can be... especially on the first day.</div>
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Linda took this picture, and it makes me happy.</div>
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Alex's feet have grown!</div>
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Grandma Judy made Alex a "Big Brother Badge." Every time he walked about in the hospital he felt it necessary to wear it. The nurses were so amazing. They complimented him on becoming a big brother and took notice of his badge.</div>
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In the nursery, Patrick got to give Sean his first bath.</div>
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Alex is such a helper! He seriously loves his baby. I hope Sean feels loved.</div>
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Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com4Salt Lake City, UT, USA40.7607793 -111.891047440.5683443 -112.2069044 40.953214300000006 -111.57519040000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-59242452853474138162012-04-23T07:29:00.001-06:002012-04-23T07:31:06.666-06:00Mandee and Levi come to Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandee and Levi arrived on Monday afternoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had fun picking Alex up from school. This ger is on the playground in front of Alex's school.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went on Many Many adventures which will be blogged about over time. </td></tr>
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In the last week:<br />
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We had ate Mongolian food at Cozy Nomads</div>
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We went to the Intellectual Museum</div>
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Ate at Rosewood</div>
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We shopped at Mercury Market</div>
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Picked Alex up from school</div>
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Went to Gandan Monastery</div>
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Held and Eagle and got pictures taken</div>
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Visited Zaisan Memorial</div>
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Went to Choijin Lama Temple</div>
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Ate at Millies</div>
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Shopped at the Black Market</div>
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Chilled at MB's </div>
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Perused an Antique Store</div>
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Window shopped at the State Department Store</div>
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Ate at Millie's again</div>
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Sorted Blankets for the Mother and Child Hospital</div>
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Delivered Blankets to the Mother and Child Hospital</div>
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Visited the French Catholic orphanage</div>
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Went to the Natural History Museum</div>
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Went to the National History Museum</div>
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Had pictures taken with Lenin</div>
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Ran around Suk Bataar Square</div>
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Ordered in Hazaara</div>
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Rode bactrian camels</div>
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Visited the worlds Largest statue of a man on a horse</div>
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Drove through Terelj National Park</div>
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Lost Alex's coat in the Terelj Hotel</div>
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Had and indoor picnic at the Ayunchin Ger camp</div>
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During the picnic we ate Khushuur (Mongolian Fried Dumplings)</div>
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Played on the playground at the camp</div>
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Walked around a Shaman pole three times</div>
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Held a vulture and a falcon... and had photos taken with two eagles</div>
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Ate controversial pizza at the Irish Castle</div>
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Packed a picnic</div>
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Drove out to Saraa's Ger camp... very fun off roaring in a Honda Accord</div>
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Sampled milk tea</div>
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Went on a two hour horse ride</div>
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Ate our picnic in the get</div>
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played horse shoe</div>
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Used an out house</div>
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Made a quick trip to Computer Land</div>
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Shopped at the State Department Store</div>
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Visited the old train station and took pictures with old Soviet Trains</div>
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Dinner at Blue Sky Tower</div>
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Dessert at Monet in Central tower</div>
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Then we had to come home and pack so that Mandee and Levi could be ready for transport to the airport at 4 am. Then their flight was delayed and they didn't end up flying out until after 1 pm.</div>
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All these activities despite the insane UB traffic happened between Monday night and Saturday night. I am going to sleep off their visit, and my saddle sores for a few days and then blog about all this. Needless to say, we had a lot of fun and we completely wore ourselves out.</div>
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GOOD NIGHT!!!</div>
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<br /></div>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-72933972429805283882012-04-15T08:00:00.001-06:002012-04-15T08:02:26.425-06:00Alex's Best Depiction of UB<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMz1pEb0dcjCd4dIJFffXUhGC_LZJDaHEhUg9dwZq5ngAl5bMALBBi4Xv3N5K9qR8qVTvoFSFNzWHb-vi_5gLqBBCmj0PmK7oFp-RNw6Zw-HjCeBFRv8MhVn612DuoxYfM9XeQSk7ugv9/s1600/IMG_1397.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMz1pEb0dcjCd4dIJFffXUhGC_LZJDaHEhUg9dwZq5ngAl5bMALBBi4Xv3N5K9qR8qVTvoFSFNzWHb-vi_5gLqBBCmj0PmK7oFp-RNw6Zw-HjCeBFRv8MhVn612DuoxYfM9XeQSk7ugv9/s400/IMG_1397.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731627542968820002" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-51067427460457305972012-04-10T09:34:00.004-06:002012-04-10T09:37:59.767-06:00The View From our Window<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtHbb1QWIgZUU-SltvjZfpLi440llmVb9KM0WY_zs2AIueUB8wv1bLPZ3pBnLFcWBB2CojVrw-5OtqmEFZLCG8fAeVjqa67FeGz_1g8xKNU9E3B66ko5Lpg2tSF-9PvqJjgiGM2vk0VGF/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtHbb1QWIgZUU-SltvjZfpLi440llmVb9KM0WY_zs2AIueUB8wv1bLPZ3pBnLFcWBB2CojVrw-5OtqmEFZLCG8fAeVjqa67FeGz_1g8xKNU9E3B66ko5Lpg2tSF-9PvqJjgiGM2vk0VGF/s400/IMG_1396.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729796426971642530" /></a><br /><br />If you look closely you can see two gers (Mongolian Yurts) and our own little neighborhood power plant. This is part of the view off of our balcony.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-15176473770553778012012-03-27T02:41:00.002-06:002012-03-27T02:48:37.077-06:00The Grocery Store... er... Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOys7W71c7KqtiF430EXPVmVqRPR1lXHWuPgMNtORutcr0rdb7kd03G_Qq-bTBkrdOp1YIJNqkLQw-J6SKvEhCGozKnm3ONSy__LmoswGREFCcdUHtNz7HflOnwEq_U3PCRGH1cb0lmYY/s1600/IMG_1393.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOys7W71c7KqtiF430EXPVmVqRPR1lXHWuPgMNtORutcr0rdb7kd03G_Qq-bTBkrdOp1YIJNqkLQw-J6SKvEhCGozKnm3ONSy__LmoswGREFCcdUHtNz7HflOnwEq_U3PCRGH1cb0lmYY/s400/IMG_1393.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724494908619485042" /></a><br /><br />Finding good vegetables in our market is not a problem... other than the fact that they are expensive. The vendors are always quick to tell you which vegetables are from China and which are from Russia. This is important, because Mongolians will go to great lengths to avoid buying anything from China. I regularly hear... This (fill in the blank) is no good, from China. This one good, from Russia."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGEovGBhHdB3NSAEGK92DSl88eFf3mYZ4YZ8G3rRvqBPSnqwwW4M3nMbJ3VY7H6VaajX0X5NwJqblysYz44WQd_wWWLFjBLVIu9wnV2zVBgBClG01y4yCTV2NvlEvKG9QdJAFiLgSSvyh/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGEovGBhHdB3NSAEGK92DSl88eFf3mYZ4YZ8G3rRvqBPSnqwwW4M3nMbJ3VY7H6VaajX0X5NwJqblysYz44WQd_wWWLFjBLVIu9wnV2zVBgBClG01y4yCTV2NvlEvKG9QdJAFiLgSSvyh/s400/IMG_1392.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724494905714183746" /></a><br /><br />This was actually a really clean day for Mercury Market. Usually we are stepping through blood puddles while they are taking the carcasses apart with carpentry tools.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-12646410435736846622012-03-26T00:15:00.001-06:002012-03-26T00:17:33.591-06:00Cow Crossing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdxqQuf4fMpWwgGQrQv1NLRO4XWTJGVOmFHUpR4-qxa4GAHNR2-_sdvA5cLC4VoEgkIvnYp6H_3Jy_tGUGeTwfev6XsdJRoeh-jldMDgCt-TLEb4dMT15wBSzN5jVbYTxK8IPl3xEDwbl/s1600/IMG_0528.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdxqQuf4fMpWwgGQrQv1NLRO4XWTJGVOmFHUpR4-qxa4GAHNR2-_sdvA5cLC4VoEgkIvnYp6H_3Jy_tGUGeTwfev6XsdJRoeh-jldMDgCt-TLEb4dMT15wBSzN5jVbYTxK8IPl3xEDwbl/s400/IMG_0528.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724085788844290322" /></a><br /><br />While walking home from a barbecue yesterday... we came across a bunch of cows on their walk home.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-25871295353656018802012-03-25T00:10:00.000-06:002012-03-26T00:14:56.213-06:00UB in the Car<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VPwa-ToG8B0FEQIx1jTDb9ul8CxtiwWa3tZO90I0ZJ3Wp0KxqXTfVN5PGQ9jbCG-ZPpLslZyGzEVLt0bkRzFSIWON3IucN0Hd_-44HY4j4fcHpcz4LjVNiuiR6-Z8RKSm4U5P88bN0S/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VPwa-ToG8B0FEQIx1jTDb9ul8CxtiwWa3tZO90I0ZJ3Wp0KxqXTfVN5PGQ9jbCG-ZPpLslZyGzEVLt0bkRzFSIWON3IucN0Hd_-44HY4j4fcHpcz4LjVNiuiR6-Z8RKSm4U5P88bN0S/s400/IMG_0500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724084777860111458" /></a><br /><br />Alex and I have decided to take pictures when we are in the car. This way you can get a better feel for the city. In order to get to downtown from our apartment we have to go over two rivers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rs0eLqvMylyeP3seM8AHNldttdcxaQZWXEkAXK7cAlr0NokcLWZqOkHJV80F7Wq8Wbp4pCWxW1R_PbxwxDB06cKtB8d8jJffyAwy51GPCRwOFx60yKCFUnGAJzjl2ie6hqg9RQU6dUjI/s1600/IMG_0522.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rs0eLqvMylyeP3seM8AHNldttdcxaQZWXEkAXK7cAlr0NokcLWZqOkHJV80F7Wq8Wbp4pCWxW1R_PbxwxDB06cKtB8d8jJffyAwy51GPCRwOFx60yKCFUnGAJzjl2ie6hqg9RQU6dUjI/s400/IMG_0522.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724084785413232162" /></a><br /><br />A lot of UB looks like a war zone. This is because it is growing so quickly that there is construction everywhere. So this is what I constantly see out the window.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-71994174840472696432012-03-23T22:10:00.000-06:002012-03-23T02:29:31.565-06:00The State Department Store<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODHXoTJdmf6OLjQUEXpOQGvumfVsJY_w1iDl05QP9xToM0rPUmmoBrtGpoQzZtPKqRJHLVmf4ZsNzZDldZo8pU0NOnsrmS46xJWUDYHkBXdvEVyVs-2nIFON4QUiJr92pXX1_5Hy9sLvt/s1600/IMG_0498.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODHXoTJdmf6OLjQUEXpOQGvumfVsJY_w1iDl05QP9xToM0rPUmmoBrtGpoQzZtPKqRJHLVmf4ZsNzZDldZo8pU0NOnsrmS46xJWUDYHkBXdvEVyVs-2nIFON4QUiJr92pXX1_5Hy9sLvt/s400/IMG_0498.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723003953080175938" /></a><br />After some urging from the Salt Lake crowd we've decided to post more pictures of UB. I have been holding back and only posting things that are unique to Mongolia. But I have decided it might be a good idea to give people a view of what daily life is like here. So today in search of a Mongolian- English, English-Mongolian dictionary I went to the State Department Store. In Mongolian it is called "Ikh Delguur" which literally means "Big Shop". While it is no longer owned by the State, for many it retains the name. Now it is owned by Nomin. This is a company that owns most of our Mongolian shopping world. There is Nomin Wholesale (Mongolian Costco) and Nomin Grocery store. You see the brand EVERYWHERE. Ikh Delguur is the closest thing that we have to a mall. There is another department store in UB called The Grand Plaza. That is where I buy Oxy-Clean and visit a cafe that serves fresh Kiwi juice.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-9eCo-8HajbIi2jbztzKjF9wRyjKIbzZn48jnQ9Hljx3ms1Pna3tZgvNWKQPc4qpaWinMTJ8LkOhisTW6U-F6n3CwAU8u8napg56RYs7_S1aQfRToortu7V2he1Xfh1La0l3zwMy4xU4/s1600/IMG_0492.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-9eCo-8HajbIi2jbztzKjF9wRyjKIbzZn48jnQ9Hljx3ms1Pna3tZgvNWKQPc4qpaWinMTJ8LkOhisTW6U-F6n3CwAU8u8napg56RYs7_S1aQfRToortu7V2he1Xfh1La0l3zwMy4xU4/s400/IMG_0492.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723004784100223026" /></a><br /><br />While I was there I fell in love with a piece of Mongolian Calligraphy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZILdsEs9H-RmyJaSRf5EDaZjJ-dV779xHP_o6LPc22Tw-1tOhYvqo2y5onTQc6llAj5LxA3igTOA9SGiFNF4_rIlHwaW_yjESIJYLlvOJSzopsaRT8kSqzCKhgZdxjpehfQ_pFbLwQkMA/s1600/IMG_0494.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZILdsEs9H-RmyJaSRf5EDaZjJ-dV779xHP_o6LPc22Tw-1tOhYvqo2y5onTQc6llAj5LxA3igTOA9SGiFNF4_rIlHwaW_yjESIJYLlvOJSzopsaRT8kSqzCKhgZdxjpehfQ_pFbLwQkMA/s400/IMG_0494.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723005120215241138" /></a><br /><br />I was really excited about it, that is until I spoke with Patrick on the phone. He pointed out that we would never have a place to put calligraphy that big. Not to mention the fact that I have no idea what it says.<br /><br />One more thing about today... It was WARM. I didn't wear my coat when I came out of the department store. It was 36 degrees F!!!! It was sunny. (It is sunny every day... this is a desert.) And, the sky was clear.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-16885526430816195282012-03-23T20:17:00.000-06:002012-03-22T20:47:48.000-06:00Tsagaan Sar Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7jhlQ80dHw-1JFmTgDglTU32XoORKh6rh-YHn_oKP_-rBokw2wFqoog73-Lil8dEokLfUM4ZjosTrt7TJwUCJ05EAIG1qFfp5p2VtSC1S7fiSG1pN9SxHZZ4BY9TeH3MeqBov7zIVZBa/s1600/_DSC9523.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7jhlQ80dHw-1JFmTgDglTU32XoORKh6rh-YHn_oKP_-rBokw2wFqoog73-Lil8dEokLfUM4ZjosTrt7TJwUCJ05EAIG1qFfp5p2VtSC1S7fiSG1pN9SxHZZ4BY9TeH3MeqBov7zIVZBa/s400/_DSC9523.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722910677525911058"></a><br /><br />We are back online, after a trip to Utah and an internet glitch. And I have a ton of pictures. Tsagaan Sar is the Mongolian New Year. Alex affectionately called it "Mongolian Christmas." Our driver and friend Erka invited us to celebrate the holiday with his family. unfortunately I was sick so I couldn't go. But, Alex and Patrick went and took lots of pictures. Alex and Patrick wore the del... the Mongolian costume to the meal. We are thinking of Alex being Chinggis Khaan for Halloween this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlzkIQS6nsEEwKujjEI-pkhatKkvALLhk9pPimjgxIOYgLZGCqrtMNNa_PTz7d4_WUNWanUKKS3VA4zWATQiHaeD4Mv_lRfz5VdZzvzzROKuTyGCDlsUdjQc_itb-U9ynsaAafpoM0GHk/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlzkIQS6nsEEwKujjEI-pkhatKkvALLhk9pPimjgxIOYgLZGCqrtMNNa_PTz7d4_WUNWanUKKS3VA4zWATQiHaeD4Mv_lRfz5VdZzvzzROKuTyGCDlsUdjQc_itb-U9ynsaAafpoM0GHk/s400/IMG_0431.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722910680785257906"></a><br /><br />This is the traditional dish used at the table. It is boiled sheep, seasoned with... sheep fat. The idea is to boil the entire sheep without cutting it up. Then when it is on the table you can take long slices of it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmforRnBF3_VPIZUQ_YwxVCWEDeKSU_lJ_gzG64bSep_lRkrZkZQgQrX8pw8swrNazMeco7dBJ6xoJ_H2mDS3JvQOymXAGCMebecwRtbWeuVLcLTxMklJLSBE1fBi_4acEogdkjr6v5MdU/s1600/IMG_0433.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmforRnBF3_VPIZUQ_YwxVCWEDeKSU_lJ_gzG64bSep_lRkrZkZQgQrX8pw8swrNazMeco7dBJ6xoJ_H2mDS3JvQOymXAGCMebecwRtbWeuVLcLTxMklJLSBE1fBi_4acEogdkjr6v5MdU/s400/IMG_0433.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722911873283668114"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf7CC958hZqQpHXZe1habLCwPwiSAmbCM0jV4-BsB6m2sEQSKctYXsFGOcO53moUnSzOA_2OTbcR9vG85PL-7HLqkXnvrr-uNiocuufnf7YVp-Q4615ai6OZDiy43ZqU3Axt9fjMtIufj/s1600/IMG_0427.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf7CC958hZqQpHXZe1habLCwPwiSAmbCM0jV4-BsB6m2sEQSKctYXsFGOcO53moUnSzOA_2OTbcR9vG85PL-7HLqkXnvrr-uNiocuufnf7YVp-Q4615ai6OZDiy43ZqU3Axt9fjMtIufj/s400/IMG_0427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722911869724406210"></a><br /><br />Also on the table they stack yummy flattened breads... they taste a bit like a really dense donut. The higher your bread tower the older you are... which makes you really cool and popular here. On top of your bread tower you put treats for everyone to enjoy: sugar cubes, yogurt-y cookies, and sweet Mongolian cheeses.<br /><br /><br />Alex wasn't a fan of the cheese. If I can figure out why this video won't upload... I will put it here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6m3Twj6LCBL3iLw7uC1hZytdFnRwKju3PMVULzJmsIpZWENH8LGwt6UybWA7HwU3_CGocPDF4Xa6t5tQbaehV-joUVlGMScZ6EYzz4HpJCHysdwr5GF-5HItJ4yOkdrPd0xWCg6BfMTl/s1600/IMG_0438.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6m3Twj6LCBL3iLw7uC1hZytdFnRwKju3PMVULzJmsIpZWENH8LGwt6UybWA7HwU3_CGocPDF4Xa6t5tQbaehV-joUVlGMScZ6EYzz4HpJCHysdwr5GF-5HItJ4yOkdrPd0xWCg6BfMTl/s400/IMG_0438.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722913862332137938" /></a><br /><br />Stirring the milk tea. Sometimes they have actual tea in it. But the two time I have had it... it has just consisted of scalding hot milk and water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCD-vrDKZuZNODnZu5ovS1Ple6ddBdNomjQ9W_1Z_KDedohANX1NmWircAy7gwCVovfVvuU_x8DngTNSdszvWVo08AYHHhcytu6hIT0WzQY4eHo7TUPJUq2Gt5o7_mTaGZF2aWDSxJr_m/s1600/IMG_0454.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCD-vrDKZuZNODnZu5ovS1Ple6ddBdNomjQ9W_1Z_KDedohANX1NmWircAy7gwCVovfVvuU_x8DngTNSdszvWVo08AYHHhcytu6hIT0WzQY4eHo7TUPJUq2Gt5o7_mTaGZF2aWDSxJr_m/s400/IMG_0454.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722916344257372274" /></a><br /><br />These are buz (pronounce the u like oo is in the word book) Every table has them. They were our favorite dish. They are mutton filled steamed dumplings. And we loved them. People who have many visitors for Tsagaan Sar can make as many as 1000 dumplings in preparation for all their guests. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxHCZAj5LydFnQ45tryWbf1qa7VA6HgJ_zz-q0RCD5eWy6uPn3gdaPZ-WFsASODChuQLCdSDeqscGdSlc-BnyAqlkUYjDPXz3dU7A45dllbyJEoHVGE8UgctEA4Emgp80NBPGNufomZFf/s1600/IMG_0471.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxHCZAj5LydFnQ45tryWbf1qa7VA6HgJ_zz-q0RCD5eWy6uPn3gdaPZ-WFsASODChuQLCdSDeqscGdSlc-BnyAqlkUYjDPXz3dU7A45dllbyJEoHVGE8UgctEA4Emgp80NBPGNufomZFf/s400/IMG_0471.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722917897734938610" /></a><br /><br />In a land with no fences and no roads... I have no idea how they found their way. The experience gives new meaning to "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0x4qsVT66XKszgb_XCiS0IzwP_Fi6Pji1dkx2FrcTG4thtGAFnDbIAYuUInsauZZvqnX8bUt_Ff1hRLUt4al9NZ8-H2h9VLPz0CrkA2RImULnLNEg5LjU70MSx56Qjfyk8LgI_AkDJbZ4/s1600/IMG_0473.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0x4qsVT66XKszgb_XCiS0IzwP_Fi6Pji1dkx2FrcTG4thtGAFnDbIAYuUInsauZZvqnX8bUt_Ff1hRLUt4al9NZ8-H2h9VLPz0CrkA2RImULnLNEg5LjU70MSx56Qjfyk8LgI_AkDJbZ4/s400/IMG_0473.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722917890814392850" /></a><br /><br />They rode Mongolian style with 11 people in a Toyota Landcruiser.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-48067261336671038122012-03-22T20:48:00.005-06:002012-03-22T21:02:15.119-06:00Tsagaan Sar Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O_5JFxi7QH7705UOANdzycnMMKAdK0AScVsleilpAwOsGTOoCd9UFb97CKStKDRRQbVnOStxmDebpwKIBcm-5YDxSs8DCVCN_sEQcfpe9dI31EwOm-tqGm7DzjlouxnyNEHiwpshWmx9/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O_5JFxi7QH7705UOANdzycnMMKAdK0AScVsleilpAwOsGTOoCd9UFb97CKStKDRRQbVnOStxmDebpwKIBcm-5YDxSs8DCVCN_sEQcfpe9dI31EwOm-tqGm7DzjlouxnyNEHiwpshWmx9/s400/IMG_0489.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722919397239851714" /></a><br />We were invited to a second more informal Tsagaan Sar. But I was feeling better and glad to have a chance to celebrate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmobRm6Kz8ANvvKvff1aP85zmzM_QThfBm_rs9P3ocA9A-qUaeD6izVi0dbdzG5LvEJF2hAi1bfsC2NiNFYz3kd8IV7OcT4OIYjz9d60-IxydWCPkycZ60_SBSHGcxLfR5ZkQak9dmJNv/s1600/IMG_0490.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmobRm6Kz8ANvvKvff1aP85zmzM_QThfBm_rs9P3ocA9A-qUaeD6izVi0dbdzG5LvEJF2hAi1bfsC2NiNFYz3kd8IV7OcT4OIYjz9d60-IxydWCPkycZ60_SBSHGcxLfR5ZkQak9dmJNv/s400/IMG_0490.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722919403821730498" /></a><br /><br />Her English and my Mongolian were on par with each other. We had a lot of laughs as we both tried navigating the languages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_G6FvjC47ocjShwe40ACCi7y4i7rmLqa8cDWDvbzeGdT26uDtDWVlmg3iNfRB9XZJqn79ZGIHRllsAj8753TwGAMQzvW9tSEQWed2iWanhtur9ucm_vT-haGcTyHwjJ0e5Q2_km8WIYT/s1600/IMG_0477.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_G6FvjC47ocjShwe40ACCi7y4i7rmLqa8cDWDvbzeGdT26uDtDWVlmg3iNfRB9XZJqn79ZGIHRllsAj8753TwGAMQzvW9tSEQWed2iWanhtur9ucm_vT-haGcTyHwjJ0e5Q2_km8WIYT/s400/IMG_0477.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722919938744388514" /></a><br /><br />For some reason Alex' stuffed koala bear joined us. The meal was great. I am still easing into snacking on animal fat. Maybe some day I will get there. In the mean time Mongolians have amazing soup recipes. And I have loved every soup I have tried here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uYhc9TPw6EeSoKbwifbW3Q0fBZ8XrJaw24kx3nCjnJKxLEvZ15Btg1oLPh3B261W98q1k1NUnC09yrh0wYvGRnR4vhzF-C4cbC36pqDvjQRd_ZGdLK9soEH8PsMdODV5Dl7aIjSOTgfe/s1600/IMG_0478.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uYhc9TPw6EeSoKbwifbW3Q0fBZ8XrJaw24kx3nCjnJKxLEvZ15Btg1oLPh3B261W98q1k1NUnC09yrh0wYvGRnR4vhzF-C4cbC36pqDvjQRd_ZGdLK9soEH8PsMdODV5Dl7aIjSOTgfe/s400/IMG_0478.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722919942907659842" /></a><br /><br />There were chocolates on top of the bread tower! You can believe that we took advantage of that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-nbz1Q2Ja7XneFqM3ZUamjHPOLUD-KoRRRgdEoKDcbsvwkhD6UeMlBrBab-2GNGIyI6YjnNw19AjPQK3i04tErZQ-UAn85aA75al4HMxJF3iMhQNRO6K_xU0O_8LRIqZ3nclbITxGRFj/s1600/IMG_0481.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-nbz1Q2Ja7XneFqM3ZUamjHPOLUD-KoRRRgdEoKDcbsvwkhD6UeMlBrBab-2GNGIyI6YjnNw19AjPQK3i04tErZQ-UAn85aA75al4HMxJF3iMhQNRO6K_xU0O_8LRIqZ3nclbITxGRFj/s400/IMG_0481.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722921300126077810" /></a><br /><br />Yeah... still easing into the snacking on fat chunks thing. Most of the fat was gone from this picture because it had already been eaten.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p7DtkhJNg-h32FUnV1MR3JFzzXEBybMB09zQ56RN305_LdVvQeeRW226l1ggLs6lIUKjwRWwVrdDUICgVVdgMlOBJ7hBnGRd708sVy_ENpJNBVbbqpf7HJzUtbU1JYDG0tyYObdLNCzT/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5p7DtkhJNg-h32FUnV1MR3JFzzXEBybMB09zQ56RN305_LdVvQeeRW226l1ggLs6lIUKjwRWwVrdDUICgVVdgMlOBJ7hBnGRd708sVy_ENpJNBVbbqpf7HJzUtbU1JYDG0tyYObdLNCzT/s400/IMG_0483.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722921305044811554" /></a><br /><br />Amarsaana is learning to play the horse head fiddle. It is a beautiful cello-like instrument. I feel like I really need to thank Erka and Amarsaana for hosting us during Tsagaan Sar. If they are ever in the US, I would love to treat the to a traditional Thanksgiving meal. And they can be shocked at our turkey dressing and jelly -like cranberry sauce. They were amazing hosts and served wonderful meals that took hours to prepare. Thank you so much for making Mongolia a happy home for us!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-88668646465606191652012-02-25T02:09:00.004-07:002012-02-25T12:32:50.331-07:00Preparation For Tsagaan Sar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpaEKWCI5i3Sr_abInQvdJyX455whsUu_JxaOAQNfDT9z9r63L-o1KCh18WoWNxWN-3Dla57cf0Qe2qyf4qGA5TNkzeqYNUSkc00KHdS6orGfAieeR2ABlSEkPdJOiF23-ZcLcjkQ_wjD/s1600/_DSC9519.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpaEKWCI5i3Sr_abInQvdJyX455whsUu_JxaOAQNfDT9z9r63L-o1KCh18WoWNxWN-3Dla57cf0Qe2qyf4qGA5TNkzeqYNUSkc00KHdS6orGfAieeR2ABlSEkPdJOiF23-ZcLcjkQ_wjD/s400/_DSC9519.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712999163382529074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d-aGxXm2VVK74CJK-YzhVYCS05BQwfa06bRMrhRxtpMF7nuytRm37e-2DkSsuKjnW3Zm4KltiGy_j1VHqCgkVkVLCCNsolk6Q7-3kvO7h5NLMImiMfrLeedX8CpFBYcgxllO-eaWkxJN/s1600/_DSC9518.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d-aGxXm2VVK74CJK-YzhVYCS05BQwfa06bRMrhRxtpMF7nuytRm37e-2DkSsuKjnW3Zm4KltiGy_j1VHqCgkVkVLCCNsolk6Q7-3kvO7h5NLMImiMfrLeedX8CpFBYcgxllO-eaWkxJN/s400/_DSC9518.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712999156803593874" /></a><br /><br /><br />While we have been rushing around finding the right clothes for the new years celebration our neighbors have been preparing their kitchens. They are carefully buying and setting aside sheep carcasses to boil on the big day. Here is our neighbor's sheep carcass on the balcony across from ours.<br /><br />If you guess correctly the one thing Mongolians use to season their meat you win a personal email with the recipe for boiled sheep.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-22917861180677435432012-02-23T20:55:00.005-07:002012-02-23T21:10:14.475-07:00Skiing in MongoliaI can't remember how cold it was when we were skiing at Blue Sky Resort two weeks ago. I think it was only -14 that day. It warmed up after lunch a bit . So, in the afternoon we didn't need our face masks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQ-qDFriPnzBUUG5yZUNHGBNelEy61RzdQeitbvKUw9tCJ8o3RkOoyjCzcbdae8FY2xPP7gdbBCp1dllIEPoZGJaB82XwhBAVQZsZPzJd2F_XQg-hBFfRAA4ahlK9bCp0NdI0lvpdT-mh/s1600/IMG_0395.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQ-qDFriPnzBUUG5yZUNHGBNelEy61RzdQeitbvKUw9tCJ8o3RkOoyjCzcbdae8FY2xPP7gdbBCp1dllIEPoZGJaB82XwhBAVQZsZPzJd2F_XQg-hBFfRAA4ahlK9bCp0NdI0lvpdT-mh/s400/IMG_0395.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712546234562785474" /></a><br /><br />I promise we were smiling in this picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiUvU4Rpn2LsOPQaV_8El_KNX18fOKy36j8p_ZcAYK3ng75mdrN1Bp2rmU7xm-tGJi_z7NYNFJCbd2EvNkJv1jkGIFzpLBYqvjXg-pWT0kQ94BeQbslYNjpdumgRdEmlE120MYz0d_bH5/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiUvU4Rpn2LsOPQaV_8El_KNX18fOKy36j8p_ZcAYK3ng75mdrN1Bp2rmU7xm-tGJi_z7NYNFJCbd2EvNkJv1jkGIFzpLBYqvjXg-pWT0kQ94BeQbslYNjpdumgRdEmlE120MYz0d_bH5/s400/IMG_0398.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712548692119950994" /></a><br /><br /> "Pony the Pooh and Icky Mouse" were there to sing happy birthday to any skiers who's special day it was. I keep telling Alex that it is Winney the Pooh, but he just rolls his eyes at me and doesn't believe me. <br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xp0jpy"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xp0jpy_blue-sky-resort-mongolia_lifestyle" target="_blank">Blue Sky Resort Mongolia</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/patriciabarnes" target="_blank">patriciabarnes</a></i><br /><br />If you get really cold you can go inside and enjoy a nice hot cup of sea buckthorn juice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp2SiLN-xZ1Pnp49BWbPzZ98KNKKDqmMtvlmQNFMtbS9I-cGlnSRsmfWsFpT-9vhgOTV805ljOqjQRRZyyOcscbZkTdfX3W45ElDgdqpZ2ECsKTt-78irxQj8SGrXrFBIfHIfTf71UfM3/s1600/IMG_0412.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp2SiLN-xZ1Pnp49BWbPzZ98KNKKDqmMtvlmQNFMtbS9I-cGlnSRsmfWsFpT-9vhgOTV805ljOqjQRRZyyOcscbZkTdfX3W45ElDgdqpZ2ECsKTt-78irxQj8SGrXrFBIfHIfTf71UfM3/s400/IMG_0412.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712548231138759298" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-62578132532926477382012-02-14T03:05:00.005-07:002012-02-14T07:09:37.610-07:00Milk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyZuduL_cLTGDPXjnfBNPGgVGXvbv32HOGOGLJOCwHKNO1bKfJO9B3bjiqhM7GoEHtoE87iS07sy3DDwHDaVA9Sy2cBsWa3DyMmZfwhMuGvEnxS57ZLaQ1LCthxLQ4MfDg26ZKTM6daAv/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyZuduL_cLTGDPXjnfBNPGgVGXvbv32HOGOGLJOCwHKNO1bKfJO9B3bjiqhM7GoEHtoE87iS07sy3DDwHDaVA9Sy2cBsWa3DyMmZfwhMuGvEnxS57ZLaQ1LCthxLQ4MfDg26ZKTM6daAv/s400/IMG_0362.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708933145256592002" /></a><br /><br />I do not like UHT milk it tastes like the milk is burned or has turned to cheese. But something vile has definitely been done to it. UHT milk seems to be popular here. The stores are full of it. I was frustrated with this and decided to ask Erka (Our driver and expert in all things Mongolia) if he knew where to get good milk. He was so excited that I wanted "real" milk that he showed up to work the next day with 4 liters of milk in an "I love New York" bag. Evidently the word "yyc", pronounced like the "os" in Joseph means milk. And there are milk shops situated throughout UB. He proudly handed me the bag and proclaimed that the cow had been milked ten minutes ago. That's when it dawned on me that this was completely unpasteurized milk.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1R1pAIBD4JJ4iT4WOzgbcoqe_xo09HvxhstHLpCMqqpfEC_faWjMA6grsbQ3X2WeemEQBL1uSdzp3zCdD-Jt0KzVUtV34KIGF5bQ8kQk84CIhTO3gWnnOzn9cEaGuWuu3anxjJwnFj32/s1600/IMG_0365.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1R1pAIBD4JJ4iT4WOzgbcoqe_xo09HvxhstHLpCMqqpfEC_faWjMA6grsbQ3X2WeemEQBL1uSdzp3zCdD-Jt0KzVUtV34KIGF5bQ8kQk84CIhTO3gWnnOzn9cEaGuWuu3anxjJwnFj32/s400/IMG_0365.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708933153245454482" /></a><br /><br />I was worried about trying it because I am pregnant... so I decided to just have a small taste for the sake of it. At first it tasted great in my mouth. But the longer that I had it in my mouth the longer that IT TASTED LIKE GRASS! Alex tried it and loved it. He thinks Mongolia has the best sunrises (Pollution turns the sky bright orange in the mornings.) and now the best milk. He can't get enough of it. When Patrick came home from work he tried it. He scrunched up his nose and declared, "it tastes like manure..." the jury is still out as to whether or not we will get this for cooking and Alex. But in the last four days Alex has had 1.5 liters by himself and he is not ill... yet. So now I am wondering, I don't like fresh milk, I don't like UHT milk... Do I like milk?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR2XxcxSuDS-8dsu55IWTLnxQYo5TVJuiqxMOQfYVErNahWJW06BWqD-UpaeEdVe6bzFSn560VCmExvncepeQCIMhIbVRLAUN1NBJneY28Nbriomw5Pw32bOoc-_Xj2Tjw5-SS0Vi1nIX/s1600/IMG_0366.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR2XxcxSuDS-8dsu55IWTLnxQYo5TVJuiqxMOQfYVErNahWJW06BWqD-UpaeEdVe6bzFSn560VCmExvncepeQCIMhIbVRLAUN1NBJneY28Nbriomw5Pw32bOoc-_Xj2Tjw5-SS0Vi1nIX/s400/IMG_0366.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708933157375173762" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-57753612568430026922012-02-10T01:21:00.005-07:002012-02-10T01:44:33.186-07:00Red or BlueToday my Mongolian tour guide (really our driver Erka) took us to try on the traditional Mongolian costume, called a deel. They were beautiful. The Mongolian new year is almost here and everyone will be wearing one. I am trying to decide do I like red or blue better. Alex will not try one on. He insists it is a dress! But they are required to be worn at his school during the week of the new year... this could get interesting. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7Vkcm0UOkDr8lgGRYFxlmh6oTSYvB1Ml3C0gg9lnPjPZ_1E0aEdEQsJs0PR9DLZFqklJXAWJxCNdm4Aomsx-DTnn37x0nZuzKJIA57cIzcbAB0wcawwkzcx4BVljkjjMQmhk9PYRyy_3/s1600/IMG_0355.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7Vkcm0UOkDr8lgGRYFxlmh6oTSYvB1Ml3C0gg9lnPjPZ_1E0aEdEQsJs0PR9DLZFqklJXAWJxCNdm4Aomsx-DTnn37x0nZuzKJIA57cIzcbAB0wcawwkzcx4BVljkjjMQmhk9PYRyy_3/s400/IMG_0355.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707422833918221442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO2f__kTmBApZGRqiFHlYcc6Ax9NsrftWOYpP7-Up7fLUoBOpbfsOJc6ATdz4q86urpthq7Q16f0CYy_9KOANSCsY7i4t76YADns9pe70btGsP6PSCKlQ3AJu1z0O1HlhmYXwvdLzABr1/s1600/IMG_0360.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO2f__kTmBApZGRqiFHlYcc6Ax9NsrftWOYpP7-Up7fLUoBOpbfsOJc6ATdz4q86urpthq7Q16f0CYy_9KOANSCsY7i4t76YADns9pe70btGsP6PSCKlQ3AJu1z0O1HlhmYXwvdLzABr1/s400/IMG_0360.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707422837465586722" /></a><br />My hat had a cool blue silk top thing. I was hoping you could see it better in this shot. I love how the try on belt was a lovely shocking yellow/green color. I learned to two things about deels. First they are uncomfortably warm to wear inside, and secondly they are NOT slimming. Oh well, with those two things in mind, I still would love to get one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2SMrcofmDpFUT8pI0Ipgti7f0WNkpavkdAbAs2d7Cum0dws7Ls4zUWnGSrtQMsx3qfyNdL-GguI_sjqpA6pRBjfac1MHa3OrpN0BYZZ99hvq9yr5dzzFy6T-mhRKHT084P-Y09OOpVl1/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2SMrcofmDpFUT8pI0Ipgti7f0WNkpavkdAbAs2d7Cum0dws7Ls4zUWnGSrtQMsx3qfyNdL-GguI_sjqpA6pRBjfac1MHa3OrpN0BYZZ99hvq9yr5dzzFy6T-mhRKHT084P-Y09OOpVl1/s400/IMG_0358.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707422851415589202" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-76870503887341076712012-02-09T01:10:00.003-07:002012-02-09T01:35:40.896-07:00Indoor Activities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRDtOYhI0CbkLz0fd-KNkWBw0551vPjqm3RtbTpSvo40V1TSADBoMYzHOtut6a5Ilp3BoPy3qJnK4k_wcwCoVgRbM2kTz9t77tpTPf_1YHxexQUsasO7RE5RLV0mSxH8VqWFTskoBWyjN/s1600/IMG_1328.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRDtOYhI0CbkLz0fd-KNkWBw0551vPjqm3RtbTpSvo40V1TSADBoMYzHOtut6a5Ilp3BoPy3qJnK4k_wcwCoVgRbM2kTz9t77tpTPf_1YHxexQUsasO7RE5RLV0mSxH8VqWFTskoBWyjN/s400/IMG_1328.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707047143452673298" /></a><br />I read a interest article on activities to do with children indoor. It was a list of 75 things but some of the article's activities were redundant and many were "girly"... i.e.) Alex isn't interested in playing dress up or playing with dolls. So I thought that maybe I could get some help and get a list going of as many indoor activities as we could come up with. Some of the activities might be too young for Alex, but they might be helpful to someone who reads this blog... so don't hesitate to add any ideas.<br /><br />I have a bunch of scrabble tiles and had Alex put together words using the tiles. <br />Recently we put socks into a ball and had an indoor sock fight.<br />We took an umbrella in the shower and a super bouncy ball.<br />We cook... a lot.<br />Play with dried beans and measuring cups to learn to measure amounts.<br />Read books<br />We used the Nike fit Training Center app to make a "gym" Alex was my trainer.<br /><br />If you have any other ideas please comment and I can add them to the list.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-58700718446465865152012-02-05T00:46:00.004-07:002012-02-05T00:57:20.911-07:00Cheetos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_9W2OSRXg_uw3k6sifJZ68ldyOIww93H2Wft0rzu7tnpbHFzSU5e365S9nfUQV9I9S1t04Gwr3SCpqMto_lVrFDYVUhL45afAHY_RFdmEbTdeWGdIF2CCMKeSMKCkcFiUgdRq1vE0QrD/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_9W2OSRXg_uw3k6sifJZ68ldyOIww93H2Wft0rzu7tnpbHFzSU5e365S9nfUQV9I9S1t04Gwr3SCpqMto_lVrFDYVUhL45afAHY_RFdmEbTdeWGdIF2CCMKeSMKCkcFiUgdRq1vE0QrD/s400/IMG_1325.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705556826049818818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wfqSlRWPngMstWMbfcID_1qJCnwVvr5jJbP7as05BUHzTw0MqWkSgMcU_0FVtDc6Tj11elVlth0dt4ZCV6HVK9ZvtnLbeFYtI7-zt8bDQHXXwIsY4CULHyzCQqVYC7UR6pGlnwwfBdbp/s1600/IMG_1324.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wfqSlRWPngMstWMbfcID_1qJCnwVvr5jJbP7as05BUHzTw0MqWkSgMcU_0FVtDc6Tj11elVlth0dt4ZCV6HVK9ZvtnLbeFYtI7-zt8bDQHXXwIsY4CULHyzCQqVYC7UR6pGlnwwfBdbp/s400/IMG_1324.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705556826038250594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55rIg3aySUoAD_uhYRHny0KawcrR15LbGHLvOElrObFzlH6_XGJdH2G_xQMcRdJxnEb_V2gsinFerRzesx-K_r8R-SIZCWmCdvZPiUW-LdyhdLzZiJi0B2t10WuQpsNTxtpW88JJXXnKZ/s1600/IMG_1322.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55rIg3aySUoAD_uhYRHny0KawcrR15LbGHLvOElrObFzlH6_XGJdH2G_xQMcRdJxnEb_V2gsinFerRzesx-K_r8R-SIZCWmCdvZPiUW-LdyhdLzZiJi0B2t10WuQpsNTxtpW88JJXXnKZ/s400/IMG_1322.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705556821352593570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb4SgbFqsmptWJBLHfhbetkxG2-QBL-5L-17nV-pmznT8mdFeipG5ApxA1PUF1WX4R-y3DJllhN7wo40OGcypKN4NSiT2Kb3gbvUI_cp2xj1_8bYT5q5JT5TgWdPffBXddTxTC-4hHz9y/s1600/IMG_1320.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsb4SgbFqsmptWJBLHfhbetkxG2-QBL-5L-17nV-pmznT8mdFeipG5ApxA1PUF1WX4R-y3DJllhN7wo40OGcypKN4NSiT2Kb3gbvUI_cp2xj1_8bYT5q5JT5TgWdPffBXddTxTC-4hHz9y/s400/IMG_1320.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705556539152167490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_RpIeQx8Mq5iDo8Fntj8iWbZaShQpDsi3VG9psSetIvPQ-rXvTinHBaoIGOh0x8mBah9X-r-NhAeCOnN1t8Fzy8_LiMXETdBm2LPDbGhu5JTnCjmQXcjuNvGoN5R1CQPupGJbs4rLGOO/s1600/IMG_1319.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_RpIeQx8Mq5iDo8Fntj8iWbZaShQpDsi3VG9psSetIvPQ-rXvTinHBaoIGOh0x8mBah9X-r-NhAeCOnN1t8Fzy8_LiMXETdBm2LPDbGhu5JTnCjmQXcjuNvGoN5R1CQPupGJbs4rLGOO/s400/IMG_1319.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705556540757081730" /></a><br />Catherine was concerned that we couldn't get Cheetos in Mongolia. Don't worry we have Cheetos.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-7036734275566291342012-01-31T01:45:00.003-07:002012-01-31T01:55:01.915-07:00If it is -22 or colder you can make your own snow<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xo7chz"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xo7chz_2011-01-making-snow_webcam" target="_blank">2011-01 Making Snow</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/patriciabarnes" target="_blank">patriciabarnes</a></i>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-71347348503909862892012-01-29T07:36:00.006-07:002012-01-29T08:04:41.358-07:00Chilllllllin' in Mongolia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKGFLJwAtLHM8qEIIVGh-Q9LXtqjRxeAPSrnbIG6LSKP6i3zAc8Pz9FqDhuyf0369Tin3UQ3T0LOF_sHUI-qp_hhEGKt9x_cc6eXECDqPDvOGleqT2bBFvUdnM59qdtTnmuRIAQjxvq-y/s1600/IMG_0341.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKGFLJwAtLHM8qEIIVGh-Q9LXtqjRxeAPSrnbIG6LSKP6i3zAc8Pz9FqDhuyf0369Tin3UQ3T0LOF_sHUI-qp_hhEGKt9x_cc6eXECDqPDvOGleqT2bBFvUdnM59qdtTnmuRIAQjxvq-y/s400/IMG_0341.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703066356220581842" /></a><br /><br />Yes it is cold here. But in general it's not that bad. There is a saying here that once you get to ten degrees below zero it all feels about the same. And in general I agree with this statement. Is it strange that we are hoping that the temperature reaches -50... just so that we can say that we lived in -50 degree weather. We are embracing the cold and taking it in stride. The first day we got here I was embarrassed because we walked outside with Winter boots, face masks, full length down coats, ski hats and gloves... while the guy walking next to me on the street was wearing an open sports coat no hat or gloves. Since then I have come to terms with the fact that Mongolians are way, way tougher than me. Since then I have learned that the number of layers I need to wear depends on how far I am walking outside. The longer I am out, the more layers I need to wear. Sometimes this backfires. For example, tonight we planned on having transport drive us to a restaurant for dinner. I wore a dress and left with out a hat, scarf or gloves. When the restaurant was closed... we drove to another restaurant which was walking distance from our hotel. After dinner we ended up walking back to the hotel-outside with no gloves or hats and Alex had no snow pants.<br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTR8NTFXvaLIri_T5BISFK6Tzbj7MX-rZYZYx5wUI2hatiFsuJEDDKcuFW_QLT5nU4CDNx0Hv2BfTNc6e37cpyInXJh3arbROLLrjmuaF5O8TqPHj-sxxAFDTajtzyvaBFAlGNTvdZ_BA/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTR8NTFXvaLIri_T5BISFK6Tzbj7MX-rZYZYx5wUI2hatiFsuJEDDKcuFW_QLT5nU4CDNx0Hv2BfTNc6e37cpyInXJh3arbROLLrjmuaF5O8TqPHj-sxxAFDTajtzyvaBFAlGNTvdZ_BA/s400/IMG_0345.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703066020836255234" /></a><br /><br />We came up with a solution. Patrick could wear Alex inside his coat to keep the little dude extra warm. (the temp was -30) One thing I have learned for certain... wet hair no matter how sunny it is outside... freezes instantly. So, I try now not to go out until my hair is dry. Thank goodness for short hair. Another thing I learned: it is cold in Ulaanbaatar... but when it is windy... you can actually feel the cells freezing on your forehead one by one... and you can feel the cold seeping through your ski hat. When it is really cold and you walk inside your clothes actually act to insulate the cold in... so I take off my jacket and hat as quickly as possible. And then I don't go back outside until it isn't windy anymore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoaGgqUX8w6E-js4qb-Gtp899Lg2FpRivfLKDYLtk-bI8ffhfNVMK2MRu_09n4izNrNfMp8kA68SONfVUNORpEMumPbw74IoFA7DZiOykZrKqMVBWhpTnByvm6GwzFbrWed7TxFru7LBb/s1600/IMG_0333.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoaGgqUX8w6E-js4qb-Gtp899Lg2FpRivfLKDYLtk-bI8ffhfNVMK2MRu_09n4izNrNfMp8kA68SONfVUNORpEMumPbw74IoFA7DZiOykZrKqMVBWhpTnByvm6GwzFbrWed7TxFru7LBb/s400/IMG_0333.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703068247553396722" /></a><br /><br />One comment about bags... I have new found sympathy for Corey and Alisa when they moved to the UK... they had what seemed like a million bags... well... I have to say it is weird writing on a customs form, "we are entering the country with 12 bags (plus my purse)"Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-7250620099794818822011-12-13T15:10:00.002-07:002011-12-13T15:18:54.530-07:00It's Official... We're moving to Mongolia.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKMu79VkmZG7vmf69wxZHjqyzY52lcXdtZ9KVh9XGao-gxupdxpSReGNdJZNAIHs13D-nGfCXRTErW5HXEQEXiVJwHcK7mcKpNJxsS3v8DQ2ODsncTQmj4DstsU0ckMPS669jrYIcfg2I/s1600/_DSC8957.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKMu79VkmZG7vmf69wxZHjqyzY52lcXdtZ9KVh9XGao-gxupdxpSReGNdJZNAIHs13D-nGfCXRTErW5HXEQEXiVJwHcK7mcKpNJxsS3v8DQ2ODsncTQmj4DstsU0ckMPS669jrYIcfg2I/s400/_DSC8957.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685739692397849986" /></a><br /><br /><br />Seriously! This country is roughly the size of Alaska, and has an average Winter temperature of -20 (-13F). We're moving in January and we'll be there for six months!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-83042108863196411692011-11-24T08:33:00.002-07:002011-11-24T08:36:12.912-07:00Happy Thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpY3WJFxq5L-OXWcyzb5ZLLWRnZsVVA8YbRg8ho-5u17HsT75coxVcZe5romsU8zYQgEGEYBtczlfsNKjMJzok6VReRD_W2KRx0wgiKtKu_UwVYvRnR2Kr7R9GFAv61m2RQ8qY50Z_dhP/s1600/_DSC9361.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpY3WJFxq5L-OXWcyzb5ZLLWRnZsVVA8YbRg8ho-5u17HsT75coxVcZe5romsU8zYQgEGEYBtczlfsNKjMJzok6VReRD_W2KRx0wgiKtKu_UwVYvRnR2Kr7R9GFAv61m2RQ8qY50Z_dhP/s400/_DSC9361.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678586427144240290" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-667278598048287522011-11-14T23:01:00.002-07:002011-11-14T23:29:57.363-07:00ReverenceAlex gave a talk in his Sunday school class last Sunday. I helped him write it. But I tried to make him write it as much as possible. So I asked him leading questions and at the end I added a scriptural reference.<br /><br /><br />Reverence is when you sit quietly while a person talks in the microphone. Its important because if you are loud and crazy than the person next to you, in back of you or in front of you can't hear and can't feel the spirit. It is really important to be reverent during the sacrament. During the sacrament I think about Jesus. I am quiet so people can remember their baptism promises. When I am baptized I will quietly remember my baptism promises during the sacrament. Joseph Smith said, "As I pondered over these things which are written the eyes if my understanding were opened, and the spirit of the Lord rested upon me." Doctrine and Covenants 138:11) I can be like Joseph Smith. If I reverently think about Jesus, I can feel the Holy Ghost. I believe in God and in his son Jesus. I know Jesus loves us.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-89752090071650734082011-10-31T09:12:00.000-06:002011-11-09T09:55:59.713-07:00Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqWKAz-Q8ZZpAhgArPCA-t3a8SrSRfkf16STlAv_PpSsHF3BdllyJYT7eC2QChcbkModTiCxS3aDXVPGBQ7Cm3G-Kf7hf_GEuwuR4kGC7upQhNrShlnVS-69A3dWa-rj0axyHGvXLfB7W/s1600/_DSC9306.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqWKAz-Q8ZZpAhgArPCA-t3a8SrSRfkf16STlAv_PpSsHF3BdllyJYT7eC2QChcbkModTiCxS3aDXVPGBQ7Cm3G-Kf7hf_GEuwuR4kGC7upQhNrShlnVS-69A3dWa-rj0axyHGvXLfB7W/s400/_DSC9306.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673040714703724818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vjifTkDec9m0RI128V1Cr0TTTr6OAjsCYSHpGN7B7Ed6dJnhM_ZmuMI5UnCG7C-rNRwOIuLNCRx4oAdPh61f1I9IYthpe5bfHZEvseZOeo4otXc74J3lxfEn_bxwL-bFaUW4RbfDUIdf/s1600/_DSC9351.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vjifTkDec9m0RI128V1Cr0TTTr6OAjsCYSHpGN7B7Ed6dJnhM_ZmuMI5UnCG7C-rNRwOIuLNCRx4oAdPh61f1I9IYthpe5bfHZEvseZOeo4otXc74J3lxfEn_bxwL-bFaUW4RbfDUIdf/s400/_DSC9351.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673030469213774402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP1WfjPTgHw3L8AdF8WOltTrrKG3LWkIwyC5ge_yJ9G0_s9RYuFknhYxGrZ1_xlv29qfv0zoq-2H7ramwasoQOcaNRJP0Lpv9txL_ZT7hBG2L84oiCjCpR03avGQFycWL0CATyZd3gOoC/s1600/_DSC9323.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP1WfjPTgHw3L8AdF8WOltTrrKG3LWkIwyC5ge_yJ9G0_s9RYuFknhYxGrZ1_xlv29qfv0zoq-2H7ramwasoQOcaNRJP0Lpv9txL_ZT7hBG2L84oiCjCpR03avGQFycWL0CATyZd3gOoC/s400/_DSC9323.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673030457071847650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4Z8Fdv-Uv2eRK2e2mXVxuRKqYBFmGCkcFubi0-sMsiKMYz2rpd7iFE1phx2xFOFbjePOoNiCX7f5aDhj_SsIvPxaDWsDlgkZX1KE15tJdzmqO6wt5Giu8DYpJEvVr-BhFpZRnoad0Zo5/s1600/_DSC9345.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4Z8Fdv-Uv2eRK2e2mXVxuRKqYBFmGCkcFubi0-sMsiKMYz2rpd7iFE1phx2xFOFbjePOoNiCX7f5aDhj_SsIvPxaDWsDlgkZX1KE15tJdzmqO6wt5Giu8DYpJEvVr-BhFpZRnoad0Zo5/s400/_DSC9345.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673030446483938754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNIwvEs0dbD7Im-nSf6qVnsqhEBN_U_ftqXkGOxbLKcTs4gsVxkGpf8Dp9KQgPrQZQinjg42m_1hSZSR5DGTHSKxU9EPr8PrjoP2E7BsRq2eP0jA6rgOd19U80RntUZBGRU1z73VoDzvu/s1600/_DSC9271.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNIwvEs0dbD7Im-nSf6qVnsqhEBN_U_ftqXkGOxbLKcTs4gsVxkGpf8Dp9KQgPrQZQinjg42m_1hSZSR5DGTHSKxU9EPr8PrjoP2E7BsRq2eP0jA6rgOd19U80RntUZBGRU1z73VoDzvu/s400/_DSC9271.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673030444704781458" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-79006361355991193922011-09-22T23:17:00.003-06:002011-11-07T23:37:45.589-07:00Mongolia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gyKrMDvSUtQmUksuuP1dx1XOSyxQpfF39SE4VmTxZNqhvthOv0DvcCNcFbW-uqs7sqtkfJCFVBMF_Mx8XS2Bfjr57MS1iMk8KH3yZIfAUPnZxQKy3-HOGDUXQhkpiQwYYXfaoi8mmfkl/s1600/_DSC9123.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gyKrMDvSUtQmUksuuP1dx1XOSyxQpfF39SE4VmTxZNqhvthOv0DvcCNcFbW-uqs7sqtkfJCFVBMF_Mx8XS2Bfjr57MS1iMk8KH3yZIfAUPnZxQKy3-HOGDUXQhkpiQwYYXfaoi8mmfkl/s400/_DSC9123.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672506611930849170" /></a><br /><br />Patrick has traveled to Mongolia a lot lately for work. In September he had to go for a three week long trip. I joined him for a week and a half. We stayed in Ulaanbaatar. He worked all day and I cruised around the city getting to know the culture and trying to read street signs. On the weekend we stayed in a ger (Mongolian term for a yurt) camp. It was cold! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIk9PUThn4PREUdCfxeefXucEtWA4mgcHeX3mO3wK-ITwxQcr9DqvvYi3bIZX0scEpaa_Ckjf5EUZy48SKgU15EcGZf2sQyjhkG1a2LeuobPmb-SbVob9Dv1KeL-axVEwL6KZeXEbmC0a/s1600/_DSC9106.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIk9PUThn4PREUdCfxeefXucEtWA4mgcHeX3mO3wK-ITwxQcr9DqvvYi3bIZX0scEpaa_Ckjf5EUZy48SKgU15EcGZf2sQyjhkG1a2LeuobPmb-SbVob9Dv1KeL-axVEwL6KZeXEbmC0a/s400/_DSC9106.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672506600628043586" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hLiKi8QG9kvF8W0RSo_HSbIG9Y0AyUVlfMDco6d4RZ5myd56Ac-ausO6vnOEuDS-GZNpfZPIWInWOoU4tk0wdKErrWn0qkT4D_OHLpm2764zqQMc8Tp-7TRVbuNyJ7CI6ndHao0iNQNS/s1600/IMG_0974.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hLiKi8QG9kvF8W0RSo_HSbIG9Y0AyUVlfMDco6d4RZ5myd56Ac-ausO6vnOEuDS-GZNpfZPIWInWOoU4tk0wdKErrWn0qkT4D_OHLpm2764zqQMc8Tp-7TRVbuNyJ7CI6ndHao0iNQNS/s400/IMG_0974.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672505979931927122" /></a><br /><br /><br />The countryside wasn't what I expected. It reminded me of parts of Idaho. I thought it was funny that I traveled all that way to go to Idaho which is a short drive from Salt Lake City.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORn46Y4XBUUsiN3pnGyoO6JA-lT7wVulfaSrQMIEBxnJByf_xPjIIJxwr2LOv70DKw0guSeuH0utQJ7bNp6No6D0xS5evYi9QJ-4LoG6_vmeKFP5WJfJ8AbvbQ4eAf0MhD53iBB8Ji8-p/s1600/_DSC9108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORn46Y4XBUUsiN3pnGyoO6JA-lT7wVulfaSrQMIEBxnJByf_xPjIIJxwr2LOv70DKw0guSeuH0utQJ7bNp6No6D0xS5evYi9QJ-4LoG6_vmeKFP5WJfJ8AbvbQ4eAf0MhD53iBB8Ji8-p/s400/_DSC9108.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672506602239615058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMWrJCgzVOsgNEDIWh27iexlG1ajkrjETUX_wjCbVCK2BjRELrW1hnbxzth7HF1BSijssrvOqNoKNBR1TIr6H8PRYF6FoTT5t6csrQCBBIabo9lVXiXiZa1uaErEKNUe0DMVPXFus7dmI/s1600/_DSC9088.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMWrJCgzVOsgNEDIWh27iexlG1ajkrjETUX_wjCbVCK2BjRELrW1hnbxzth7HF1BSijssrvOqNoKNBR1TIr6H8PRYF6FoTT5t6csrQCBBIabo9lVXiXiZa1uaErEKNUe0DMVPXFus7dmI/s400/_DSC9088.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672505960874122226" /></a><br /><br />We rode some camels that were randomly by the side of the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BJLXymBBKzMfZzQrRgq8nxeoISfpWQt-mulFVIHg9JNVX-Wxm14HKySCZo7pakZMXMhHAxfpCx1zvQGhdYpCCQQnPeCN9H9dq9MI8Jez0tE1LqcVNojUJLuaTuFXgWNC1CalP3hCji7J/s1600/_DSC9013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BJLXymBBKzMfZzQrRgq8nxeoISfpWQt-mulFVIHg9JNVX-Wxm14HKySCZo7pakZMXMhHAxfpCx1zvQGhdYpCCQQnPeCN9H9dq9MI8Jez0tE1LqcVNojUJLuaTuFXgWNC1CalP3hCji7J/s400/_DSC9013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672505985060379378" /></a><br /><br />This vulture was only six months old. This family let people play with their birds they had two eagles and a vulture. The eagle was traditionally used for hunting. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ln-PncN12NAxV_u2lA8sf3B0_hWX3vx6qcoll6I1ZNqGPRjq4_ZaWKkCRKcCIf8y0ItN5ixQuxDZl08WkNRfgS6K40by6ykIBokiPy5EJsYTSnG9Xm3mDVne6z96n39mDv6NVjqV-tbk/s1600/_DSC8989.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ln-PncN12NAxV_u2lA8sf3B0_hWX3vx6qcoll6I1ZNqGPRjq4_ZaWKkCRKcCIf8y0ItN5ixQuxDZl08WkNRfgS6K40by6ykIBokiPy5EJsYTSnG9Xm3mDVne6z96n39mDv6NVjqV-tbk/s400/_DSC8989.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672505957245664002" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-25957212603540739722011-01-31T10:31:00.005-07:002011-01-31T11:05:24.610-07:00A December PostPatrick went on a business trip to New York in December. He did a lot of work and saw a lot of our friends. He took pictures of our friends, but I didn't know if they wanted pictures of themselves up on the net... Especially because a lot of those pictures were taken in the freezing cold with red faces and drippy noses. So I am just putting up shots of New York. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_kWrVHVWFOTdXvgJkzw-N-oJcG5LtZKbWDH_ADSAYtqvQ-kXHxoFInnypFSvyx6QC7hZGdArhJwYCsv8a4SQNtJn3ru_BS5LdX9sgqIQTy6_oZGxF6ANKi1ucKT4MZrBnjuHB7WJgjak/s1600/_DSC7918.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_kWrVHVWFOTdXvgJkzw-N-oJcG5LtZKbWDH_ADSAYtqvQ-kXHxoFInnypFSvyx6QC7hZGdArhJwYCsv8a4SQNtJn3ru_BS5LdX9sgqIQTy6_oZGxF6ANKi1ucKT4MZrBnjuHB7WJgjak/s400/_DSC7918.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568406971872941186" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pWyMRptwQCKpv0yk5YDa0B144lR6qrS2g7l6h9mhuH3BuWWXxgJScdbvseVh8ORy8UX0PvMgimnerVdCDKoad93cjhJtEwOKUnaf4tG8PVjw8-Fvp2dN0qXTBKuFHUS05xqZSLSsXLha/s1600/_DSC7922.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pWyMRptwQCKpv0yk5YDa0B144lR6qrS2g7l6h9mhuH3BuWWXxgJScdbvseVh8ORy8UX0PvMgimnerVdCDKoad93cjhJtEwOKUnaf4tG8PVjw8-Fvp2dN0qXTBKuFHUS05xqZSLSsXLha/s400/_DSC7922.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568406965651882850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw6saMeqGnO2SEth318PXYppaVEAf8nHG0jTj_ueTtnb7To5QfaQy0l6vW794pHNV5gj7Amo6sGqwfP_OJjVI4CbrBGOrZj_e6N6MnZ6x9REtMzIM9Ia7wJpsgjPRPTaGxHIFC-uzkeQh/s1600/_DSC7920.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw6saMeqGnO2SEth318PXYppaVEAf8nHG0jTj_ueTtnb7To5QfaQy0l6vW794pHNV5gj7Amo6sGqwfP_OJjVI4CbrBGOrZj_e6N6MnZ6x9REtMzIM9Ia7wJpsgjPRPTaGxHIFC-uzkeQh/s400/_DSC7920.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568406958417264002" /></a><br /><br />Alex's school had a Christmas program. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgg_5AajCkkwuK9M0lgWJMgwVleM_3BCKYySXCdzYJR2vfV7r54K7CkoOr-qPOC7aomZZOajryjm0-nYValasE-EnIkMJPVhCTvwqO81_zH-r-zBgmRypCDPtS7pxil31JBC-opIbRDma/s1600/_DSC7899.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgg_5AajCkkwuK9M0lgWJMgwVleM_3BCKYySXCdzYJR2vfV7r54K7CkoOr-qPOC7aomZZOajryjm0-nYValasE-EnIkMJPVhCTvwqO81_zH-r-zBgmRypCDPtS7pxil31JBC-opIbRDma/s400/_DSC7899.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568406948775786306" /></a><br /><br />After a candy opening frenzy we watched "How to Train Your Dragon." Our remote has been missing for two months, and our dvd player won't work without a remote. We gave it to him for Christmas and it is the only movie we have that plays automatically. Its nice when things work out like that. (We have since replaced the remote.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK8ubAjXM_-PZeaSerwLbPJs5lg_A0chrk7DcN0W5rEQjMSwckkkpA4_OIkC-9-tS0-3ihwHilxfWvetCTIxSupl6HDkLu766E2UlTGT3S0-mDGFKYRsHzj_Xgc4pfMdmz05HutXSxhfp/s1600/_DSC7957.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK8ubAjXM_-PZeaSerwLbPJs5lg_A0chrk7DcN0W5rEQjMSwckkkpA4_OIkC-9-tS0-3ihwHilxfWvetCTIxSupl6HDkLu766E2UlTGT3S0-mDGFKYRsHzj_Xgc4pfMdmz05HutXSxhfp/s400/_DSC7957.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568407441067494242" /></a><br /><br />The most important part of Christmas is celebrating the birth of the Savior. On Christmas Eve we read scriptures about the nativity and set up a stable scene. This year Alex included a Christmas snake in the scene. After we read we think of gifts that we can give the Savior. We then light a candle and sing Happy Birthday. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw43VBdvkKe0PnplUW6sOKLW4uy13N4Cnt4y1QPAMj3obbUSP6boP6xW-TSA1SD9SuW2Mn6lOc_FIxMiHqFg-hJM6CG_yIwPkVPoalPJIznkGlA0StiqRFKz4a0zp-VTZGYBdYIVdN8Pi/s1600/_DSC7942.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfw43VBdvkKe0PnplUW6sOKLW4uy13N4Cnt4y1QPAMj3obbUSP6boP6xW-TSA1SD9SuW2Mn6lOc_FIxMiHqFg-hJM6CG_yIwPkVPoalPJIznkGlA0StiqRFKz4a0zp-VTZGYBdYIVdN8Pi/s400/_DSC7942.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568407432036898242" /></a><br /><br />I just want to say on this last day of January... Merry Christmas!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627415508394485419.post-29302523400698279412010-08-11T01:03:00.005-06:002010-08-11T01:19:57.876-06:00BlackberriesWe are moving to Great Grandma Bertha's house to help take care of it. The other day Alex discovered overgrown Black berry bushes hanging over the fence. The result has been three days of scrapes, cuts and scratches. Sarah, my friend and raspberry expert, helped me trim them back and we got about a gallon of blackberries. My half of the berries quickly became pie and jam. We'll have to see what became of Sarah's half.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMngIMefHrIvPqMuV6HKfgYCTSka3n8lWRvY2Ss_NwHea_DyxNMRGoSS03o9sJ7jGu1G5uySNf4UuX3VTUAkUoMmN87CD_4ktwbLRxkpfDVrGQM7e6wefLb_EYO4YmDas0dKQOHUzC45R/s1600/_DSC6670.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMngIMefHrIvPqMuV6HKfgYCTSka3n8lWRvY2Ss_NwHea_DyxNMRGoSS03o9sJ7jGu1G5uySNf4UuX3VTUAkUoMmN87CD_4ktwbLRxkpfDVrGQM7e6wefLb_EYO4YmDas0dKQOHUzC45R/s400/_DSC6670.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504044961374031474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NrIV1DXZwbeUXtuoTc05gpddmRvp9h0TgRYXydKa14ADm7wvAPaWdp0MP-fsYkocvEUx47A-IIYgSwsRItLumg-5hFp9uDFu5SOigE9riL7yhsyznYtdmplYHO4Lqt4Ng5UoRk5ONcRp/s1600/_DSC6666.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NrIV1DXZwbeUXtuoTc05gpddmRvp9h0TgRYXydKa14ADm7wvAPaWdp0MP-fsYkocvEUx47A-IIYgSwsRItLumg-5hFp9uDFu5SOigE9riL7yhsyznYtdmplYHO4Lqt4Ng5UoRk5ONcRp/s400/_DSC6666.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504044954995547634" /></a><br /><br />While we were working we found peas which had died on the vine... oh well better luck next year. We also found apricots grapes and pears, not yet ripe. My Grandpa has been gone for seven years, and his garden is completely overgrown. There are trash trees and waist high grasses, roses gone wild and Iris spreading into the grass. Finding this fruit has been like discovering treasures that my Grandpa has left for me. Thank you Grandpa! Oh, and Dad, thanks for letting me borrow the pie plates!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05371834035306326772noreply@blogger.com1