Larry Memmott's Blog

This is one of our family traditions, everybody makes their own pizzas with whatever they want on them.

William displaying his masterpiece

Into the oven

Favorite topping

We had a great Christmas Day. For the first time this year, it really showed overnight, with huge, beautiful flakes floating to the ground. Not a lot of snow fell, but the grass was completely covered.

Tatyana gave the girls new boots for Christmas. But, of course, the girls had to choose their own. We went to Dordoy Bazaar to look for boots. They got really cut ones.

We went to a shopping center that has some places to play. William decided to ride the mechanical bull. He stayed on for quite a while, but in the end . . .

About to take a tumble

This is not the kind of thing I usually put in my blog, but it was the best set of belly laughs I have had in a long time. Highly recommended:

Dave Barry’s New Years’ Column

We drove up to Ala Archa to take a walk in the snow.  It was beautiful, as it always is.

Breathing in the fresh, cold air at 7,000 feet above sea level

And little sister in a tree

Alexandra, Christina and William came to visit us for Christmas and New Years. We had a great time exploring Bishkek and some of the mountainous areas around the city. Although we were disappointed with the light snowfall (and they missed the Blizzard of 09 back at home), the mild weather did allow us to have more outdoor fun. One day we went to the small amusement park in downtown Bishkek, Panfilov Park.

Aliciya on her first ever pony ride!

Alex, posing for the camera

Riding the Mushroom Roller Coaster

Mushroom Coaster II

William was a good sport to accompany Aliciya on the Giant Bee Ride

We had fun in the bumper cars

In fact, I think we always have a good time in the bumper cars

Over the past few days we’ve been getting seriously into the Christmas spirit! The Embassy’s local employees organized a major party at a local cafe for the adults of the embassy, with plenty to eat and drink, and lots of dancing and partying. It was a blast! And then we hosted, at our house, Breakfast with Santa, for all the Embassy children (and their parents). We had more than 50 Children sign up, so must have had about 125 people in the house this morning for waffles, Tatyana’s homemade spudnuts, and juice. For those who stayed late, Tatyana whipped up pizza, too. It was a great time. I was the official photographer, and took 75 photos of Santa with the kids. It really was a blast and a huge success, I think!

Now comes the excitement of the arrival of William, Christina and Alexandra! This is going to be a great Christmas!

Santa, waiting for the kids to arrive

Tatyana, at the Local Employee's Party

At Breakfast

We hadn’t seen it snow for five years, so it was exciting to see the white stuff come down for the first time in Bishkek. It snowed for two days straight, but was so warm that only a skiff of snow actually stuck to the ground. So we took a trip up Ala Archa canyon to play in the snow.

First time playing in the snow!

Tatyana and Myrna!

Lake Issyk Kul is the tenth largest lake in the world (by volume) and the second largest mountain lake (after Lake Titicaca, which I have also visited). It is also the second largest saline lake in the world, after the Caspian Sea (so, bigger than the Great Salt Lake). It’s not heavily salty, just enough to keep the water from freezing.

Anyway, it is one of the most famous attractions in Kyrgyzstan, so when we got a free day, we went for a picnic. Luckily, Tatyana’s parents, sister, and niece were here, too, so they came with us.

The lake is beautiful, set in the mountains. In summertime, it is the place to go swimming, and as you can see from the photos below, its beaches are pretty nice (for a lake). Of course, one would not compare them with those we visited in the Philippines . . . , but every country has its advantages.