Kvac is a popular summertime drink in Ukraine. Its like lemonade for us, except that it ferments and becomes alcoholic. Once summer arrived, so did these big yellow tanks of kvac. They are everywhere, three on the 8 minute walk to the grocery store. It just sits out in that tank in the sun all summer, adding the new stuff to what is already there. Its very inexpensive, and everyone drinks it, including kids.
Here are some pictures that I liked from our vacation. Darryl took over 300, I think! And I believe they are all in the photo gallery on the left sidebar if anyone is interested in seeing more.
We got to the Kyiv airport just after 5am and when we tried to check in they said there was no ticket for Kathryn. To make a long story short, we missed the flight and had to buy all new tickets and the only ones available happened to be business class. Here is Kathryn in the business class lounge before boarding, and also in her seat. I had always dreamed of flying that way. My new dream is to fly that way without children.
First we stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Harrisons for a week. It was so relaxing and fun. Kathryn and Amelia painted rocks in the backyard with water, and had fun swimming with cousin Hannah.
Then we headed to Canada where Amelia took a liking to Grandpa Melanchuk. We had a fabulous time at a little petting farm one morning. We saw baby Adam for the first time, and celebrated Ryan’s 2nd birthday.
On our drive back to the Edmonton airport we stopped at a town settled by Ukrainians. The world’s largest pysanka (Easter egg) is there, as well as lots of plaques in Ukrainian as well as English. We also stopped to see Darryl’s Grandma Poschner who lives in a senior home in Edmonton.
We actually missed our flight back to Seattle, so we spent a night in Edmonton. From Seattle we drove down to Portland for a family Reunion. First the Harrison family had a day of reunion-ing, then we had 2 days of a Ricks family reunion – all of my mom’s side of the family. So we were able to see a whole lot of family! It was really great for us because there would have been no way to travel to visit all of those people.
Here is a picture of the Harrison grandchildren. Of course a couple kids didn’t make it because of crying and such. And the little girl in the front left is not in our family – she was just at the park and followed everyone onto the stairs!
I loved seeing Kathryn and Amelia play with their cousins. It makes me want to live nearer to them! At the Ricks reunion we celebrated my grandpa’s 85th birthday. Here he is pictured with his 5 children. He has 27 grandchildren and I think 23 great grandchildren so far, so we were a pretty big crowd.
We spent the last 2-3 days in Seattle, visiting our friends and remembering how much we love Seattle! We didn’t take any pictures, but were really glad to see everyone we did there.
Since I’ve been awake since 3am, I figured I should get something done. I guess I am struggling more than anyone else with jetlag, because the girls have both slept longer than me the past 2 nights. I couldn’t keep myself awake for the first 2 days, now I can’t keep myself asleep the past 2 nights!
Before I get into some vacation musings, I wanted to remember something Kathryn said. She is really getting clever. On Sunday she wanted to take her baby (doll) to church. I said we don’t take babies to church. Kathryn then asked, “What about Amelia?” Well, she had us there since we have always taken Amelia to church!
It was very interesting to be back in North America (I say that because we were in both Canada and the US). At first it seemed so normal, until we got back to Ukraine and realized the things that are different. Well, for me, anyway. I am having car withdrawal. Sunday morning we missed the bus to church (caught the next one) and were consequently a little late. Saturday we were shopping and both girls were so tired they needed to be held, but we only have one ergo carrier, and didn’t bring a stroller since we were going on the metro and such. I wished we could just put them in the car and drive home! Or at least take a taxi. But Darryl is so tough, we do not take taxis (except home from the hospital after Kathryn had stitches). Of course it was nice not to need 2 carseats on the way home from the airport (a KPMG driver picked us up). We honestly would have had to make 2 trips, because our stuff was piled in the trunk and back seat with Kathryn squished next to me and Amelia on my lap.
Some things that I enjoyed in North America: Rootbeer! It is just so tasty, I don’t know why other countries have not embraced it. We were luckily enough to have some at A&W a couple times, too. BBQ! Barbecues are so great in the summer. We had several during our trip, including some melt in my mouth steak barbecued by Darryl’s brother Brad. Ice water. Especially when it comes free at a restaurant.
Lots of people asked me what I missed most not living in the States. But only one person asked me what was my favorite thing about Ukraine (thanks, Rory!). There are a lot of wonderful things in general about living abroad. I told her the food – trying some new foods, etc. But also the cheese, bread, chocolate. Now that I’ve thought about it a little more, I might say the friends we’ve made, and seeing how strong the Church is here.
My sister did ask me what I would bring back with me if I had room in my suitcase. I have thought about that a lot! First, a booster seat/high chair thing (or 2). We looked for that kind of thing when we first got here and couldn’t find one. I would much rather have that than 1) nothing for Kathryn, and 2) what I consider to be a lame highchair for Amelia. Second, a dishwasher. I know, lots of people back home don’t have dishwashers, but I would like one. Third, my viola. We almost did bring it back, but the thought of trying to carry that with the rest of our carry-on luggage and the girls and stroller was too much.
Traveling with young children is not easy, as I’m sure any parents out there know. Not just the actual “traveling” part, but the different sleeping arrangements, schedules, food, people, etc. We’ve just about gone crazy with these grumpy girls, and decided that letting others visit us is a great idea! Its a good thing Kathryn and Amelia are so cute and have had some great times to make it all worth it. I just wanted to write a couple of things so I won’t forget them. Details and pictures to come.
In an airport (we’ve been in 5, so I’m not exactly sure which one) we got some chocolate ice cream to share. Kathryn was eager to take a bite…until Daddy told her it was broccoli ice cream. After a few minutes she was still willing to taste it, and turns out she likes broccoli ice cream! Then a few days later (in another airport), we got a Wendy’s frosty to share. I gave Kathryn a few bites and then she exclaimed, “This tastes just like broccoli ice cream!”
Amelia has been the social friendly girl. She warmed up to her Canadian relatives rather quickly, with big smiles and lots of dancing. She seems to especially like her Grandpa Melanchuk. The first day she ran right into his arms and sat on his lap. I think it made his week! The other grandkids are a little afraid of him, even Ryan who sees him very often. Amelia also sat on Great Grandpa Melanchuk’s lap, which we couldn’t get Kathryn to do.
And a highlight for Darryl and me was going on a jetski (called seadoo in Canada)! Darryl’s friend Shea has a couple of them and we went to the lake (Cold Lake) one afternoon. I had never been before, because I was too scared as a kid when I had a chance. I only went with Darryl, maybe because I’m a chicken, but it was quite fun. I was squealing with delight the whole time. Darryl even made me drive part of the time.