First Snow 2008!

It snowed the other day, and it was so beautiful. Lucie and I took the dogs and went to a nearby park called Divoka Sarka. When I am in this park, I don't feel like I am in a city.

Family Visits

My mom and sister, Mary Margaret, just came to see me, each in individual visits. It was so good to see them. It makes me feel more connected with folks back home when they see my life here. And it humbles me as I consider the distance they come and the sacrifices they make in doing so. I love love love my family!

Bye for Now party

Recently, some awesome people moved away from Prague. Betsy went back to VA and Sara, Jackie and Chelsa returned to Canada. TEARS! Jackie and Chelsa will return in June; they play ice hockey here. :) But, I dunno about Betsy and Sara... I do know that they are missed and have left a hole. There's no replacing these 2 chicks.

Kutna Hora

My friend Sara, who happens to be a Canadian ice hoskey player (isn't that cool?!!), and I went on a road trip to Kutna Hora the other day. It was about a 2 hr drive. Its funny; I get car sick now when I am in cars. I guess it's bc I am not used to being in them. We don't have to pull over or anything, but I just have to face forward. ANYWAY. So, Kutna Hora is a historical and protected sight bc it is incredibly old (13th century old). The main attraction there is a church called Sedlec Ossuary. Inside are the remains of appx. 40, 000 people. The amazing thing, though, is that at one point in history, they ran out of burial plots and so they started piling all the bones inside this church. A monk decided to decorate the interior of the church with the bones. My interior designer friend, Holly, put it well when she said, "Now that's going green!"

maysea and me

I am repeatedly thankful for my sweet dog, Maysea. God knew just what He was doing when He surprised me with her years ago. She is a huge joy to me here in Prague, each and every day. Plus, she's extremely well liked by all of our Czech neighbors and their dogs. :) My friend. Alta, took this picture of us for her photography class. Fun!

friends

recently i had a week of: food poisoning, then a planters wart removed from my foot, then a cold. some kind folks came to see me, keep me company and bring some food. from left to right is: brooke, sara, sasha and his daddy mark. :) also there's lucie and her sweet puppy, verdi. more came who aren't pictured, thank you all for loving me well and enduring my drama! :)

Christmas morning

Christmas morning at home was so wonderful! It was amazing to be with my family and in our home. It was especially great bc my niece and nephew, Margaret and David were there. David was thrilled over his new "Polar Express" train and Margaret adores her new Spiderman doll. As you will see, David does not particularly enjoy having his picture taken, but he was a good sport for the first 100 pictures I took. :) My cousin, Weston and his cute family came over for Christmas dinner which made the day extra special. They got a precious white lab puppy for Christmas !

Downhome Delicacy

ON CHristmas day my Dad steamed some oysters. This is one one my favorite things we do at home. The oysters come from The May River (in photo background), and they are some of the best in the world! so salty and pefect with come cocktail sauce on a saltine. Pictured l to r: weston, priscilla (sisters), me, and Rose (my cousin's wife) and in the larger group picture l to r: rose, mom, weston, priscilla, me.