Winter has Officially Arrived

Winter had arrived in Warsaw, at least climatologically (a word?) because I read 32 on the thermometer this morning for the first time. The cars are covered in frost and the kids were finally ready to admit that they needed coats. Tim has already reached his cold tolerance level- he was walking around the house all Sunday wearing a coat while the inside temp was 68!

It's Tuesday morning; everyone is off to school/work and the house looks pretty clean so I'm snuggled under a quilt with my toasty laptop and ready to put in a few hours on my NaNoWriMo story (http://www.nanowrimo.org/). Ryan and Kyle were going to participate, too, but instead of typing, I heard only excuses!

Tonight Katy has her first band concert and I promise to post video.

Did anyone see Ryan's challenge to himself to update his blog daily through the end of the year? I'll see that bet and raise him one new picture per week (no fair recycling old stuff)!

Katy's Seventh Grade Dance

Katy's middle school dance had a Halloween theme so she chose this dress which was Grandma Ann's from the late 50's. I don't know which is more unsettling- that Katy is old enough for it to fit her or that she is going to a dance. My father suggested that it might be more alarming for Grandma Ann whose dress is now suitable as a Halloween costume!

Columbus Day in Warsaw

The mighty Visła river

Columbus Day this year was one of those rare days when the planets align (figuratively) and the kids have school but Tim has a day off so we are HOME ALONE!! It was a gorgeous fall day (called Golden Fall in Poland) so Tim and I went for a long bike ride.

American School of Warsaw Activities

At the Fall PTO Barbeque, Michael did some bouncing in a harness. Kyle waited in line for a long time but opted out when the rain started and he heard his favorite apple cake was for sale inside.

Here are some snapshots of the soccer pitch behind the kids' school. Katy is in there somewhere- maybe the girl just to the left of the one dressed in gray and black. Even from the back and on a cloudy day I think the school building is pretty impressive.

Ambassador Ashe hosts Tim's Welcome Party

In October, the ambassador hosted Tim's official welcome, as ODC Chief, at the residence. Lots of people from the embassy, Polish government, and business attended to formally welcome Tim even though he had been working with them since his arrival in July. Tim's deputy, Mike Kaffka, was also welcomed. Everyone we have met has been warm, friendly, and gracious making Poland one of the best assignments we have ever had.

His Polish abilities really impressed the crowd. The woman on the left is the translator but she soon realized she wasn't needed. The man in the center is Ambassador Ashe. It's not the whole speech but it gives you an idea.

Visiting Ryan and Lisa

Standing in front of their apartment right before heading to the airport. I am officially no longer the shortest person in my family!

Downtown Ft. Collins- lots of cool shops and restaurants.

Biking is very popular, especially at the CSU campus.

Lisa's lab- she's explaining her NASA project to me. Notice the camera person (me) is not nodding in understanding!

Ryan and Lisa "consulting" in her office.

Ryan begins his telecommuting day in pj's "promptly" at 8am in their second bedroom.

Their ground floor apartment.

View from their front door- heated spa and pool.

American School of Warsaw Pledge Run

Hey, Kyle here!

The coach for my cross-country team has organized a pledge run for various charity events, which will take place October 3. This has been an incredibly successful run in the past (last year the team raised over $2500!). My request to all relatives who read this: Pledge a small amount of money per lap (which is .25 miles) and send it our way after the run. Even 50 cents would be a huge help! I estimate I'll run 20-25 laps in the given 60 minutes. Please post your pledge in the comments, or send it to the family Yahoo email address.

These are the links to the charities we will be donating to:

http://www.bridgingdevelopment.org/

http://www.jua.org/

http://www.carbonneutral.com/

http://www.tecza.org/art.php?dzial=ostowarzyszeniu (the site is in Polish, but basically it's, and I quote, "working towards the health and happiness of blind and partially blind children through charitable activies, health care, rehabilitation and education in work and society)

http://www.synapsis.waw.pl/%22 (this is in Polish too; the charity helps families with autistic children and other families suffering because of different health, educational and social problems.)

Thanks for the help,

Kyle