[Games] All Finished!
in reply to a message by Melissa
Round One:
(My name is Brittany Louise, by the way. My husband is Nikita Vassily.)
Dear Family and Friends;
You will be excited to learn that Nik and I have just purchased our first house! It is one side of a duplex. The other side is rented out by an older couple who live just down the road. Our little house is just beautiful! The outside has pretty sage green siding and great landscaping! We have three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, the living room, laundry room, and a basement. It is an unfinished basement, but Nik has decided that he'll finish it up and maybe turn it into a rec room/study/home gym. We chose the duplex because it was less upkeep than a normal house, the neighbors seemed friendly, and there were lots of kids around. The schools looked excellent as well-even though Nik and I will probably send our kids to a private school.
I thought you might also be interested to hear my take on our wedding. Nik and I dated for two years. Before that, we had known each other for about five years after meeting our freshman year in college. It was really no surprise that Nik proposed; we had talked about marriage before. In the months before the wedding, I chose a wedding dress that was pale, pale blue. It had diamonds sewn onto the lower part of the dress and glittered when the light hit it. I chose a complimentary color for the bridesmaids--they wore light peach. As you all know, my sister Emily, cousins Clara and Erica, and best friend Nicolette were bridesmaids. As for Nik, he chose a pure black tuxedo for him and his best man (his brother Aleksandr). We are so glad that all of you attended our wedding! I would especially like to thank my parents, Emily, Ryan (Nik's friend), and Nik's parents for decorating the church and organizing all the things we couldn't. I loved the three-tiered wedding cake! My favorite part of the wedding was when I joined Nik at the altar and he took my hand. I knew right then that we would be together forever. I think Nik felt the same way. Thank you Daddy for giving me to Nik.
Well, that's about all that's going on here. Can't wait to hear from you all!
Love,
Brittany Lou and Nik Petrov
Round Two
Dear Family and Friends,
Nik and I are excited to announce the birth of our first child! Baby Yannick Maxim waltzed into the world on October 19th at 11:05 pm. He was 7 lb. 9 oz. and 15 1/4 in. long. "Yanni" is healthy and looks just like Nik! When we found out I was pregnant, the decision was made that I would quit my part-time job at the library and raise Yanni and any other babies that might come along. Since Nik's work is as a professional hockey player, he can't exactly quit. He currently has a four year contract with his team. Yanni not only looks like his daddy, he behaves like him too. This is probably a compliment to Nik though. A few months before Yanni was born, Nik painted the nursery light green with yellow accents. I had the feeling that Yanni was a boy, but we didn't want to know for sure.
Thank you all for your baby shower presents. They were much needed in the days after Yanni was born! Also, thank you all for being so supportive. Yanni is the first grandchild either my parents or Nik's parents have and we are thankful he is healthy. Pretty soon though, Yanni will have a cousin. Emily got married last year and is expecting her first child in a few months. I was surprised that the pregnancy was relatively easy. I don't know that I experienced any side effects other than being a little more fatigued than usual.
Love always,
Brittany Lou, Nik, and baby Yanni!
Round Three
Dear Family and Friends,
3 year old Yanni would like to announce the arrival of four brothers and sisters! Needless to say, we are all a bit overwhelmed right now, but we are happy. Two years ago, Nik and I decided that we would like to try and adopt a child from Russia. Ten months ago, we found out that we were selected to adopt siblings! Roman Zinoviy (2) and Yuliya Galina (5 mo) are adorable! They have dark brown hair and ice blue eyes. Roman knows Russian and is a little chatterbox. Yuliya is still cooing, but trying to say English words now. Then, eight months ago, Nik and I found out that we were expecting again. Turns out, we had twins! They are identical boys named Kolya Anatoli and Evgeni Pasha. Kolya and Evgeni were born two hours apart on January 20th. They are both healthy and seem to enjoy all the activity at home.
It's a good thing Nik finished the basement a few months before all of this transpired. Now it is a world class rec room with plenty for everyone to do. Our house is a bit cramped, but okay for now. Yanni and Roman are sharing a room while Yuliya, Kolya, and Evgeni share the old nursery. Nik and I are househunting right now, but so far we haven't found anything.
Love,
Brittany Lou, Nik, Yanni, Roman, Yuliya, Kolya, and Evgeni!
Round Four
Dear Family and Friends,
It has been a busy two years for us. We are sad to say that Nik's contract with his hockey team has expired and he was traded to another team. While we are only moving a few hours away, it seems like a lot farther. We found a house with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two stories. It's a beautiful house, but we will miss our side of the duplex. If moving was not enough for everyone, my sister Emily passed away unexpectedly three months ago. Thank you all for your condolences and support. Since Emily was divorced and her husband didn't want the two girls she had, they came to us. The elder girl; Marina Ashlyn, is five like Yanni. Marina's younger sister; Xenia Jordyn, is barely two years old. They understand that their mommy died and know that now they live with 'Auntie Britt and Uncle Nik'. Marina and Xenia are adjusting pretty well; all things considered.
On top of moving and adopting the girls, Yanni has decided that he wants a puppy. Nik said no to the puppy. After we move, however, we plan to surprise Yanni with a dog for his sixth birthday. We're going to the animal shelter next week to pick a dog out. Then the shelter will keep it until Yanni's birthday (in two weeks). Our children are all doing wonderfully. Yanni is five and will be starting Kindergarten after we move. Marina balked at the idea of Kindergarten, so we'll give her a chance to adjust then perhaps she'll feel better about going to school. It's only a half day, after all. Roman is four. He is very active, so Nik and I are contemplating enrolling him in a pre-school program just so he can burn off some of his abundant energy. Yuliya, Kolya, and Evgeni are two, as is Xenia. It's rough; having four two year olds, but we manage all right. Yanni shares his room with Roman. Marina and Xenia share a room with Yuliya (who wants her own room). Kolya and Evgeni get the other bedroom.
We all send our love,
Brittany Lou, Nik, Yanni, Marina, Roman, Yuliya, Kolya, Evgeni, and Xenia.
Round Five
Dear Family and Friends,
Another year has passed and we have added three more members to our already large family! Once again, we adopted siblings from Russia. Nik and I were only looking to adopt a girl, but when we saw these three it was clear that we were the ones for them. The oldest is four years old. Her name is Arina Pelageya. Arina is just as motherly as could be. She takes great care of her little brothers; three year old Luka Prokhor and one year old Ilya Afanasiy. Arina, Luka, and Ilya have settled into our family quite nicely. However, since there are three of them, Nik decided that we had to find a bigger house.
Two months after the three of them arrived, we moved to a large house with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a basement. It has a great yard and plenty of room for the kids to play with the dog (a Golden Retriever mix named Marfa). Now, even though the kids all share their rooms, it isn't quite so crowded as before. Yanni (now six) shares his room with Roman (who's five). Marina (also six) has offered to share her room with Arina. Luka shares with his little brother Ilya. Yuliya and Xenia (both three) and Kolya and Evgeni (also both three) share seperate rooms. And, of course, that leaves a room for Nik and I.
We love you all and can't wait to see you this summer!
Love,
Brittany Lou and Nik
Yanni, Marina, Roman, Arina, Luka, Yuliya, Xenia, Kolya, Evgeni, and Ilya.
Round Six
Dear Family and Friends,
Twenty years ago, Nik and I were in the midst of raising ten children under the age of seven. It wasn't easy, but here we are now and we wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like to give you an update on all of us.
First, I am back to working part-time. Now I work at a bookstore and I love my job! Nik retired six and a half years ago from playing professional hockey. It was a hard decision for him to make because he loved playing so much. Now, he does still play in an informal league and does great. Nik was also just hired to be a talent scout for his former team. I know he'll do great!
Yanni (who prefers to be called by his full name now) is a whole twenty six years old! All of our children grew up playing hockey (even the girls). So, it is no surprise that Yannick made it to the pros. He plays for the team in Los Angeles now, but there is talk of him being traded to New Jersey or Phoenix. Yannick isn't married and doesn't have any prospects at the moment. If you asked him, he'd say that he was married to his job; which is partly true. Yannick eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey. He has since the age of ten, when Nik let him join a travelling team.
Marina adjusted well to living with us (though she still calls us by our first names like we arranged when she first came to us). She is now twenty six years old. Marina loves hockey almost as much as Yannick, but she has made a career for herself as a musician. She writes, plays, and sings in a band called 'One Step Higher'. Marina is married to the band's lead male vocalist, Andrew Avery. Marina and Drew have two small children. Violet Marianne is two and her brother Sebastian Pierce is 7 months.
Roman is twenty five. He loved growing up with so many other kids close in age. Roman, like Yannick, plays with the pros. He plays in Canada (on Ottawa's team) and is one of the top scorers in the league. Roman, who married a woman named Rachel Annalise last year, signed a six year contract with a no-trade clause that virtually ensures him a place in Ottawa for several years. Roman and Rachel can't wait to have their first child.
Arina is twenty four. She had a hidden artistic talent that flourished after we adopted her and her brothers. Arina is working part time at a florist as a flower arranger. Her job just supplements her preferred job of painting landscapes and scenes that she remembers from her native Russia. Arina recently returned from a five month sabbatical in Russia and surprised us by saying that she was engaged to a man named Pavel Maxim. Pavel apparently has a steady job and can provide for Arina. We know that Arina's dream has always been to return to Russia. We hope things work out between her and Pavel.
Luka is one of our five twenty three year olds. He is in his first year of graduate school. After that, Luka plans to move on to med school and become a doctor! Luka is very smart and is at the top of his class. He lives off campus with his Great Pyrenees named Sheena.
Yuliya is twenty three as well. She married at the age of seventeen. At first, we thought the marriage couldn't last, but Yuliya and her husband Mark Henry have proved us wrong. Yuliya does not work, but stays at home with her four children. Her eldest are 6 year old twin girls named Serafina Gabrielle and Sabrina Nicole. Her son; Franklin Giovanni, is four. Her youngest is another girl. She is named Winona Raine and is three years old. Yuliya wants to have more children, but Mark isn't so sure about it.
Xenia is another of our twenty-three year olds. She too is married, but she holds a degree in elementary education. Her husband, Chad Benjamin, is very loving and provides well for Xenia. They are expecting their first child in March. If it is a boy, he will be Chad Benjamin Jr.. If it is a girl, she will be Zara Jordyn.
Kolya is twenty three too. He is playing hockey in Los Angeles with Yannick. Kolya is a rookie this year, but Yannick is taking good care of him. The pair rooms together and has an apartment downtown. At first, Kolya wanted to be an actor and even took a semester of acting school. Then, he decided that hockey was what he was born to play. He's having a decent rookie season and hopes to get even better in the coming years.
Evgeni is twenty three and looks exactly like Kolya. This can be confusing--especially since Evegeni also plays professional hockey. Hm...seems like Nik left a legacy for his boys. Evgeni plays on the Detroit hockey team and fits in surprisingly well. At first, Evgeni wasn't sure he could live up to the expectations of 'Hockey Town', but after a year playing there, has found that the team plays a style that suits him. Evgeni is dating a Detroit girl named Chelsey Anne.
Ilya is our youngest. He is twenty one. Ilya is going to college and plans to become a sports analyst (hopefully in the realm of hockey). Barring delays, Ilya will graduate this spring. He is very excited and is already looking for open job positions. Like his brothers, Ilya plays hockey on the collegiate team. He has been a member of the team since sophomore year and holds captaincy. Ilya is the most decisive of our children and knows just how to get what he wants. He isn't dating right now, but lives off campus so that he can keep his two dogs with him. They are both female Greyhounds named Daisy and Petra.
((Yay! All done. That was fun!))
------------------------------------------------------------------
My lovely PPs!
!!! Phoenix and Zachary (twins) and Katya
(My name is Brittany Louise, by the way. My husband is Nikita Vassily.)
Dear Family and Friends;
You will be excited to learn that Nik and I have just purchased our first house! It is one side of a duplex. The other side is rented out by an older couple who live just down the road. Our little house is just beautiful! The outside has pretty sage green siding and great landscaping! We have three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, the living room, laundry room, and a basement. It is an unfinished basement, but Nik has decided that he'll finish it up and maybe turn it into a rec room/study/home gym. We chose the duplex because it was less upkeep than a normal house, the neighbors seemed friendly, and there were lots of kids around. The schools looked excellent as well-even though Nik and I will probably send our kids to a private school.
I thought you might also be interested to hear my take on our wedding. Nik and I dated for two years. Before that, we had known each other for about five years after meeting our freshman year in college. It was really no surprise that Nik proposed; we had talked about marriage before. In the months before the wedding, I chose a wedding dress that was pale, pale blue. It had diamonds sewn onto the lower part of the dress and glittered when the light hit it. I chose a complimentary color for the bridesmaids--they wore light peach. As you all know, my sister Emily, cousins Clara and Erica, and best friend Nicolette were bridesmaids. As for Nik, he chose a pure black tuxedo for him and his best man (his brother Aleksandr). We are so glad that all of you attended our wedding! I would especially like to thank my parents, Emily, Ryan (Nik's friend), and Nik's parents for decorating the church and organizing all the things we couldn't. I loved the three-tiered wedding cake! My favorite part of the wedding was when I joined Nik at the altar and he took my hand. I knew right then that we would be together forever. I think Nik felt the same way. Thank you Daddy for giving me to Nik.
Well, that's about all that's going on here. Can't wait to hear from you all!
Love,
Brittany Lou and Nik Petrov
Round Two
Dear Family and Friends,
Nik and I are excited to announce the birth of our first child! Baby Yannick Maxim waltzed into the world on October 19th at 11:05 pm. He was 7 lb. 9 oz. and 15 1/4 in. long. "Yanni" is healthy and looks just like Nik! When we found out I was pregnant, the decision was made that I would quit my part-time job at the library and raise Yanni and any other babies that might come along. Since Nik's work is as a professional hockey player, he can't exactly quit. He currently has a four year contract with his team. Yanni not only looks like his daddy, he behaves like him too. This is probably a compliment to Nik though. A few months before Yanni was born, Nik painted the nursery light green with yellow accents. I had the feeling that Yanni was a boy, but we didn't want to know for sure.
Thank you all for your baby shower presents. They were much needed in the days after Yanni was born! Also, thank you all for being so supportive. Yanni is the first grandchild either my parents or Nik's parents have and we are thankful he is healthy. Pretty soon though, Yanni will have a cousin. Emily got married last year and is expecting her first child in a few months. I was surprised that the pregnancy was relatively easy. I don't know that I experienced any side effects other than being a little more fatigued than usual.
Love always,
Brittany Lou, Nik, and baby Yanni!
Round Three
Dear Family and Friends,
3 year old Yanni would like to announce the arrival of four brothers and sisters! Needless to say, we are all a bit overwhelmed right now, but we are happy. Two years ago, Nik and I decided that we would like to try and adopt a child from Russia. Ten months ago, we found out that we were selected to adopt siblings! Roman Zinoviy (2) and Yuliya Galina (5 mo) are adorable! They have dark brown hair and ice blue eyes. Roman knows Russian and is a little chatterbox. Yuliya is still cooing, but trying to say English words now. Then, eight months ago, Nik and I found out that we were expecting again. Turns out, we had twins! They are identical boys named Kolya Anatoli and Evgeni Pasha. Kolya and Evgeni were born two hours apart on January 20th. They are both healthy and seem to enjoy all the activity at home.
It's a good thing Nik finished the basement a few months before all of this transpired. Now it is a world class rec room with plenty for everyone to do. Our house is a bit cramped, but okay for now. Yanni and Roman are sharing a room while Yuliya, Kolya, and Evgeni share the old nursery. Nik and I are househunting right now, but so far we haven't found anything.
Love,
Brittany Lou, Nik, Yanni, Roman, Yuliya, Kolya, and Evgeni!
Round Four
Dear Family and Friends,
It has been a busy two years for us. We are sad to say that Nik's contract with his hockey team has expired and he was traded to another team. While we are only moving a few hours away, it seems like a lot farther. We found a house with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two stories. It's a beautiful house, but we will miss our side of the duplex. If moving was not enough for everyone, my sister Emily passed away unexpectedly three months ago. Thank you all for your condolences and support. Since Emily was divorced and her husband didn't want the two girls she had, they came to us. The elder girl; Marina Ashlyn, is five like Yanni. Marina's younger sister; Xenia Jordyn, is barely two years old. They understand that their mommy died and know that now they live with 'Auntie Britt and Uncle Nik'. Marina and Xenia are adjusting pretty well; all things considered.
On top of moving and adopting the girls, Yanni has decided that he wants a puppy. Nik said no to the puppy. After we move, however, we plan to surprise Yanni with a dog for his sixth birthday. We're going to the animal shelter next week to pick a dog out. Then the shelter will keep it until Yanni's birthday (in two weeks). Our children are all doing wonderfully. Yanni is five and will be starting Kindergarten after we move. Marina balked at the idea of Kindergarten, so we'll give her a chance to adjust then perhaps she'll feel better about going to school. It's only a half day, after all. Roman is four. He is very active, so Nik and I are contemplating enrolling him in a pre-school program just so he can burn off some of his abundant energy. Yuliya, Kolya, and Evgeni are two, as is Xenia. It's rough; having four two year olds, but we manage all right. Yanni shares his room with Roman. Marina and Xenia share a room with Yuliya (who wants her own room). Kolya and Evgeni get the other bedroom.
We all send our love,
Brittany Lou, Nik, Yanni, Marina, Roman, Yuliya, Kolya, Evgeni, and Xenia.
Round Five
Dear Family and Friends,
Another year has passed and we have added three more members to our already large family! Once again, we adopted siblings from Russia. Nik and I were only looking to adopt a girl, but when we saw these three it was clear that we were the ones for them. The oldest is four years old. Her name is Arina Pelageya. Arina is just as motherly as could be. She takes great care of her little brothers; three year old Luka Prokhor and one year old Ilya Afanasiy. Arina, Luka, and Ilya have settled into our family quite nicely. However, since there are three of them, Nik decided that we had to find a bigger house.
Two months after the three of them arrived, we moved to a large house with six bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a basement. It has a great yard and plenty of room for the kids to play with the dog (a Golden Retriever mix named Marfa). Now, even though the kids all share their rooms, it isn't quite so crowded as before. Yanni (now six) shares his room with Roman (who's five). Marina (also six) has offered to share her room with Arina. Luka shares with his little brother Ilya. Yuliya and Xenia (both three) and Kolya and Evgeni (also both three) share seperate rooms. And, of course, that leaves a room for Nik and I.
We love you all and can't wait to see you this summer!
Love,
Brittany Lou and Nik
Yanni, Marina, Roman, Arina, Luka, Yuliya, Xenia, Kolya, Evgeni, and Ilya.
Round Six
Dear Family and Friends,
Twenty years ago, Nik and I were in the midst of raising ten children under the age of seven. It wasn't easy, but here we are now and we wouldn't have it any other way. I'd like to give you an update on all of us.
First, I am back to working part-time. Now I work at a bookstore and I love my job! Nik retired six and a half years ago from playing professional hockey. It was a hard decision for him to make because he loved playing so much. Now, he does still play in an informal league and does great. Nik was also just hired to be a talent scout for his former team. I know he'll do great!
Yanni (who prefers to be called by his full name now) is a whole twenty six years old! All of our children grew up playing hockey (even the girls). So, it is no surprise that Yannick made it to the pros. He plays for the team in Los Angeles now, but there is talk of him being traded to New Jersey or Phoenix. Yannick isn't married and doesn't have any prospects at the moment. If you asked him, he'd say that he was married to his job; which is partly true. Yannick eats, sleeps, and breathes hockey. He has since the age of ten, when Nik let him join a travelling team.
Marina adjusted well to living with us (though she still calls us by our first names like we arranged when she first came to us). She is now twenty six years old. Marina loves hockey almost as much as Yannick, but she has made a career for herself as a musician. She writes, plays, and sings in a band called 'One Step Higher'. Marina is married to the band's lead male vocalist, Andrew Avery. Marina and Drew have two small children. Violet Marianne is two and her brother Sebastian Pierce is 7 months.
Roman is twenty five. He loved growing up with so many other kids close in age. Roman, like Yannick, plays with the pros. He plays in Canada (on Ottawa's team) and is one of the top scorers in the league. Roman, who married a woman named Rachel Annalise last year, signed a six year contract with a no-trade clause that virtually ensures him a place in Ottawa for several years. Roman and Rachel can't wait to have their first child.
Arina is twenty four. She had a hidden artistic talent that flourished after we adopted her and her brothers. Arina is working part time at a florist as a flower arranger. Her job just supplements her preferred job of painting landscapes and scenes that she remembers from her native Russia. Arina recently returned from a five month sabbatical in Russia and surprised us by saying that she was engaged to a man named Pavel Maxim. Pavel apparently has a steady job and can provide for Arina. We know that Arina's dream has always been to return to Russia. We hope things work out between her and Pavel.
Luka is one of our five twenty three year olds. He is in his first year of graduate school. After that, Luka plans to move on to med school and become a doctor! Luka is very smart and is at the top of his class. He lives off campus with his Great Pyrenees named Sheena.
Yuliya is twenty three as well. She married at the age of seventeen. At first, we thought the marriage couldn't last, but Yuliya and her husband Mark Henry have proved us wrong. Yuliya does not work, but stays at home with her four children. Her eldest are 6 year old twin girls named Serafina Gabrielle and Sabrina Nicole. Her son; Franklin Giovanni, is four. Her youngest is another girl. She is named Winona Raine and is three years old. Yuliya wants to have more children, but Mark isn't so sure about it.
Xenia is another of our twenty-three year olds. She too is married, but she holds a degree in elementary education. Her husband, Chad Benjamin, is very loving and provides well for Xenia. They are expecting their first child in March. If it is a boy, he will be Chad Benjamin Jr.. If it is a girl, she will be Zara Jordyn.
Kolya is twenty three too. He is playing hockey in Los Angeles with Yannick. Kolya is a rookie this year, but Yannick is taking good care of him. The pair rooms together and has an apartment downtown. At first, Kolya wanted to be an actor and even took a semester of acting school. Then, he decided that hockey was what he was born to play. He's having a decent rookie season and hopes to get even better in the coming years.
Evgeni is twenty three and looks exactly like Kolya. This can be confusing--especially since Evegeni also plays professional hockey. Hm...seems like Nik left a legacy for his boys. Evgeni plays on the Detroit hockey team and fits in surprisingly well. At first, Evgeni wasn't sure he could live up to the expectations of 'Hockey Town', but after a year playing there, has found that the team plays a style that suits him. Evgeni is dating a Detroit girl named Chelsey Anne.
Ilya is our youngest. He is twenty one. Ilya is going to college and plans to become a sports analyst (hopefully in the realm of hockey). Barring delays, Ilya will graduate this spring. He is very excited and is already looking for open job positions. Like his brothers, Ilya plays hockey on the collegiate team. He has been a member of the team since sophomore year and holds captaincy. Ilya is the most decisive of our children and knows just how to get what he wants. He isn't dating right now, but lives off campus so that he can keep his two dogs with him. They are both female Greyhounds named Daisy and Petra.
((Yay! All done. That was fun!))
My lovely PPs!
!!! Phoenix and Zachary (twins) and Katya
This message was edited 4/24/2006, 2:18 PM