Merry Christmas and a Glorious New Year!

Thanks to many of you, we were able to give gifts to our neighbors. Here's a quick snapshot of the festivities.

Some further pics with our friends here along with Myles showing off that he is now able to feed himself! In fact, he won't let us give him anything from our hand (unless it's a cookie, of course).

Myles REALLY gets into his toys...I mean LITERALLY as he is often found w/in the box itself.

Tis the Season

I'll try to let the pictures speak for themselves...and when I get really motivated (or have time is more like it), I'll write. Until then...for your viewing pleasure.

Costume Party Anyone?

Here are some snapshots of our Fall Exravaganza! We had loads of food, candy, costumes, games and prizes. We did this for the kids but the adults had just as much fun, if not more! Myles was the champion at Limbo, he got the lowest, Troy lost miserably in a game where he ate chocolate pudding from a diaper while blindfolded and I won at the relay game. We went as fuzeball players (as you can see). We had one family as Lord of the Rings cast, another as Romans, hippies, babies, trees, Tinkerbell....and on! It was a great to have Frodo and Gandolf the Grey at our party! The kids from the English Class Troy is teaching learned all about the holiday and dressed up as well. They carved squash, ate candy and bobbed for apples. Next up is Thanksgiving so be looking for more pictures!

A retreat up into the mountains of T-stan!!

Here are some pictures from our retreat up in the mountains. The air was fresh, the mountains were enormous and beautiful and the place we stayed had a natural hot springs! We soaked in the lovely sulfur water and felt 10 years younger. It was great to connect with our teammates as well as welcome Rees, Sara and their 2 kiddos. As you

can see, Myles got a little soak in his own "hot springs" too. We will definitely retreat here again. Where else can you soak in hot springs, ride a donkey down a hillside, play pool and fuzeball and have your meals cooked for you? LOVED IT! (except I got sick from the food...... dang giardia!!!! Can't seem to get away from it!!)

We're not quite sure if he's speaking Tajik or English or.......Tanglish. Only he knows what he's saying and I must say, he's quite convincing. I can't wait for the day when his little mouth starts motoring out all his thoughts.

This is a snapshot into our daily conversations with eachother. He is quite the gabber and is learning the rhythms of conversations quite well, wouldn't you say? His only words right now are Mama, Dada, Hi, yeah and Nana (banana). He certainly is throwing out some very Tajik sounding syllables as well. They sound better than ours.... Lucky duck! He's gonna just soak it up naturally....I'm a little jealous! (a lot jealous!!).

Nothing like scarfin down some cake while everyone clanks and bangs on some pots and pans to celebrate 365 days of my baby boy's life. We sang "Happy Birthday" first (per usual) and then a hoppin song on their iPod started playing and we proceeded to all start rockin out. Good times....

Videos from Myles' first Birthday

Troy's interpretation is so accurate and life-like. I hope not only does it provide insight into that special day one year ago, but that it would also be educational for you. Enjoy!

Myles 1 Year Birthday!!!

Hey faithful viewers! We were eager to post some pictures of Myles' first birthday party. We got to celebrate two days in a row. The first night was with a tajik family that is quick becoming close friends and the second night was with our teammates. We cooked hotdogs over a campfire, listened to a little Garth Brooks and blue grass and had an awesome time. We made sure to have a yummy cake both nights so that Myles wouldn't feel neglected. A sugar high two nights in a row.....he was having so much fun and was free entertainment! He officially got his first cell phone only at one year old.....we thought it wise to get him his own since his favorite toy is our cell phone and I don't know how he does it but, he's managed to push enough buttons to mess up some settings and give us a headache! It's wild to think he's one year already (as all parents say about their growing children!). I was curious how the sentimental event would fair for us being in a new country. I wanted the classic picture with frosting smeared all over his face and to have a candle, etc. I can now say, after the fact, that Myles' special birthday far exceeded my expectations!! We made it simple but had such a rich time with our tajik friends and with our teammates. I couldn't have asked for a better night! Myles is one special little kid.

He's managing to take those first little, clumsy steps these days. It first begins with getting his balance and just standing upright...then, he starts to hum, laugh, shriek (all at the same time), then, he throws his hands up in the air and he's off to the races. The mere four or five steps somehow are accomplished and then he fumbles into our arms. He's doing some fumbling and some tumbling, a little grumbling, but mostly mumbling and toddling! Can't get enough of it....

In no time he'll be out with mommy and daddy shooting the soccerball around and putting daddy in his place. He'll have to work extra hard to beat me, of course!! Hee Hee! (I am the one who taught daddy everything he knows).

Myles favorite foods these days include.....cheese, fresh tomatoes, oatmeal,pancakes, yogurt, bananas and yes.... icecream. The icecream here is not as creamy and yummy as the stuff back home but it will suffice. Maybe a ColdStone Creamery might make it's way here eventually. He's still slow in embracing the tajik food but he loves their fresh baked bread everyday. I have to make everything from scratch so cooking a big batch of chili or making pancakes or french toast is no easy feat...but it is worth it. I made homemade syrup the other day for pancakes and just when we were ready to pour it over our hotcakes....Troy luckily smelled it first and realized it was fermented and bad. Oh well, the hotcakes were tasty enough solo. No one can come close to touching Mrs. B!! She's the queen of syrups.

The other family that lives here had a pack and play that we were using for Myles to sleep in but they needed it back for their two year old. So, we were off to the bazaar with the mission to find a suitable, sturdy, safe crib. Amidst the selection of cheap, frail, wobbley cribs we found, we managed to spot a decent one and snatched it up quickly. It was about $90 and though it's not as nice as the ones back home, we tightened up all the screws, put up the mosquito net that came with it and Myles slept like a baby. Halelujah! We figured it was a good investment and know it'll get good use....for however long the thing will last.

We are extremely looking forward to having some close friends of ours come out and join us here. They arrive in less than two weeks and we're ready to help transition them into this new culture and share of what we've already learned... the good, the bad, the scary. I know life will be so rich sharing it with them and it makes it a little bit easier being away from home, friends and family. We love you all dearly and miss you immensely. Blessings to all of you and make sure to write back to us and keep us updated about YOU!!

Love,

The Ready's

Got Somethin' to Say?

Here are a few videos of our kiddo!

Sallom! Hello from Central Asia!

Hello from Central Asia!! We're finally here and we've got some pictures and videos hot off the press for all of you to see. Most of you are probably viewing this because you've received our newsletter and are eager to see updated photos. If you are not on our newsletter list, let us know. We'd love to add you to the list...this is where we have freedom to share about what we are doing (secure email) Email us at tready19@acesea.net    This blog is devoted exclusively to the "happenings" of the Ready family (mostly pictures and videos of Myles!!) We won't write much and will try to update frequently for your viewing pleasure. We love you mucho!

Pictures of memories with family and friends from our last few days!

Some pictures from our last moments with family and friends

After a outing at the park, Myles was helping me with the laundry. Remember getting in the laundry basket when you were little and feeling like it was your own little space? So much fun!

A blast from Troy's soccer past

Here's the birthday boy at his finest doing one of the things he was created to do. I am so proud of him! (Dig the long hair?)

Chew-backa

Laugh Attack

Here are some promised updated pics of my favorite little boy in the world!

Hey all,

We recently went on a "tour" throughout the Northwest to visit friends and family. (okay it was only to Spokane and Seattle but it was all in one trip so it felt like we were caravanning around with all our baby stuff...all we needed were a couple camels!!) It was absolutely marvelous to see so many of our peeps in such a concentrated amount of time. My little heart was near bursting a few times. I will post some pics tomorrow cuz....well....any pic we take of Myles is ADORABLE and worthy to be posted on our blog! I am just too tired tonight. His cheeks are getting chunkier as he mows down on delectable, organic, pureed delights from Gerber and the like! I haven't achieved the Super-Momdom yet cuz I ain't makin my own baby food yet. (Anyone else out there doin it? Let me know how it's going!!) Well, lets be honest... I pry not going to make any here in the states cuz that's what I'll be doin a whole lotta over there in T. So, I figure it's kosher with all you  Super Mom's out there to be lazy for now and continue to go to Target, fill up my basket with little glass jars, while having a smirk on my face and savoring the "convenience of it all!!"  Hooo-ha-ha-ha! Can ya blame me! 

So anyhoooo, goodnight to all of you. Thanks for learning how to read in Kindergarten so that you could enjoy a late night read of my silliness and tom-foolery. I plan on producing much more of it! Love you! 

Pics to follow......

Laughing at Auntie Brookie

Daddy has a whole new look when he sings Karaoke. Interestingly enough, Myles still smiled at Daddy as if nothing phased him. What a champ!

Troy and I had our first date night out on the town. We went to Portland City Grill on the 31st floor of a downtown building for happy hour. We felt very hip! The other pics are just random ones of our day to day life with Gooey!! I'll keep 'em comin!

Alert: Naked baby butt!!!

He definitely has Daddy's D1 soccer butt! I am a proud mama!

Normally Myles is smiling and splashing during his bath.....not this time. Notice the progression caught on camera! (Excellent photography by Jenny!) oops, it's backwards! Go from bottom up.

I'm 4 months old today

Myles is keeping up with the craziness of our schedule. We're still on track with preparing to leave the country in approximately 4 months. Myles isn't short on smiles and curiosity as he watches his parents run around!

Everybody better dress warm...it's cold out there!