Casa Chornopeckyj

Marko's Early 50th Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:07:00 +0000

Shuckin' corn...

Ozzie decides to "help."

Izzie finds a suitable throne.

Zoe relaxes in a chair as well.

Izzie hits the 'burners as she frolics in the grass...

Zoe has some fun on the lawn too...

The family relaxes by the pool.

Izzie hangs out with her cousin Daniel.

Cousins Lydia and Daniel.

Bubbles! :-)

Zoe enjoys the pool with Mama.

Izzie was initially adamant about not going in the pool but was great once Driko convinced her to get in. Hopefully someone has pictures!

Zoe shows off "tricks." :-)

Zoe monopolizes the train table. ;-)

The girls really enjoyed the sandbox.

The kids got over their fear of "Tank" after playing with him for a while.

Happy (early) Birthday, Marko!

We get an all-too-rare family picture. :-)

A nice picture of the extended Koropeckyj family.

Thanksgiving 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:00:00 +0000

OK, I said that I would work backwards, but I'm flip-flopping. ;-p Here are some long-overdue photos from Thanksgiving 2010...

Izzie sported an up 'do for the festivities.

Zoe shows off her outfit.

Didyo spends some time with the girls.

Zoe enjoys some cranberry sauce, among the other Thanksgiving fare that she sampled.

Zoe was slightly, um, disheveled after her scrumptious Thanksgiving meal.

Zoe was initially less than pleased with her resulting hairdo...

...but was more appreciative of a variant 'do. :-)

Thanksgiving at the Koropeckyjs!

Yes, please! :-)

Izzie emerged in much better condition than Zoe after her meal, but then again, she doesn't share Zoe's inclination to eat just about everything given to her.

"Low Five!" :-)

Marko attempts to communicate with the girls through a serious of hand gestures and guttural clicking noises.

The girls didn't know what to make of this obviously hostile gesture.

However, Izzie soon reciprocated, and a cautious truce was reached.

Mama and Izzie share some nice smiles.

Izzie gets chased by Vuyko Marko.

All fall down!

[Insert hilarious caption here]

The girls loved chasing/being chased by Vuyko Marko...

I wish I had video to accompany this one... :-)

Izzie just barely makes the extra point, dashing any hopes of a last-minute comeback by the Cowboys.

Izzie is all about ball security as she looks for an open (?) Vuyko Marko under the entertainment center. In the meantime, Zoe provides excellent pass protection.

Wheeee! :-)

Everybody gets their own juice, including Driko. :-)

Twins at the Zoo!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:20:00 +0000

I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that it's going to take a little while to catch up on the almost three months of photos that haven't been posted yet. So, to at least appear current, I'm going to work backwards, although that will probably result in Christmas photos being posted in April. ;-)

Last week we had some beautiful weather, so we drove up to Baltimore and took the girls to the Zoo. Dido came along and was a big help in containing the girls' excitement in seeing some of their favorite animals in person. We'll definitely have to go back soon!

The girls really liked this huge turtle sculpture!

Dido shows Izzie some information on turtles.

The girls nest.

Izzie is surprisingly nonplussed by the menacing bat sculptures, although they were really hard to see in the dimly lit cave display until my flash illuminated them. Oops.

Ulana makes like a turtle.

Izzie checks out some chickens.

Dido and Izzie peer over a fence at a donkey.

The girls have a look at the donkey over the ubiquitous and extremely poorly-placed fence rungs that were right at eye level when the girls were riding in their strollers.

Ulana and Zoe are rapt in attention at one of the displays.

Dido relaxes with the girls.

Dido "helps" Izzie pet the donkey.

The girls really had a fun time in the petting zoo, in which they brushed goats' fur and attempted to chase them around (apparently a no-no).

Zoe helpfully cleaned off a stool.

Ulana, Dido, and the girls have a look at a bachelor elephant.

Zoe spots Driko taking pictures.

Zoe waves "Goodbye" to the elephants.

Dido spots Driko popping up in one of the displays.

A nice family photo at the Zoo! :-)

Nimble November Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 18:57:00 +0000

Zoe plays with some chalk at day care.

Zoe and some of her day care friends

Zoe is "gentle" with Ozzie.

Is Zoe destined for Clown College?

Izzie displays more restraint in her approach to dining. Yeah, right.

"Baby!"

Izzie's hair sprouts like a magical palm tree.

Two contemplative poses in the sun

Driko loves baby hugs!

Driko and Zoe have some fun.

Zoe hams it up for the camera.

Driko shoots.

Overdue October Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:26:00 +0000

Ulana and the Twins hang out and cuddle.

Zoe is mesmerized by the TV.

Izzie gives Driko some nice Baby Hugs.

Zoe is all smiles...

Driko and Izzie at the playground.

Izzie is driving already?!

The Twins try to tame a big rig.

Zoe steering

All smiles again...

The Twins play the piano at Dido and Babi's.

Dido holds Josie, the newest addition to the family.

Dido and Ivanochka with Josie

Izzie gets to meet her new cousin Josie.

Zoe playing the piano

Fixed Posts

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:05:00 +0000

It looks like somehow two previous posts' (here and here) pictures got removed. I just noticed this (despite a head's up from Toby months ago) and finally fixed them. Thanks for noticing, Toby!

Strapped-for-time September Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:23:00 +0000

Once again, we've fallen behind on family pictures, this time to the tune of over three months. We'll do our best to catch up soon...

Izzie has been doing this thing where she closes her eyes while in the midst of certain activities. Watching her walk like this can be, um, interesting...

I guess we'll know how she'll eat Oreos some day...

I think something is not to Izzie's liking.

Zoe sports a new look.

This level of cooperation has a very short half life...

The twins pose in the waning sunlight at a playground in Solomons Island.

The Chornopeckyjs, September 2010.

The Twins really enjoy the swings!

Izzie checks out one of the playground activities.

Matt and Zoe hang out at the Ukrainian Festival in Baltimore.

Babusia cuddles with Zoe at the Ukrainian Festival.

Toby shows Zoe some photos at Matt and Shelley's house.

Matt explains some toys to Izzie.

I'll have to let Toby comment on what's going on here... ;-)

Zoe has not yet mastered the use of her Cloak of Invisibility.

Shoe.

Mmm... Orange Juice.

Fighting over the light switch at Dido and Babi's...

Zoe shows off a "Legos" creation...

Don't hate me because I'm adorable.

"Light!"

The Twins conquer the stairs at Dido and Babi's.

The girls take a look at our wedding album.

Izzie cuddles with Driko.

All tuckered out...

Zoe's still raring to go, though!

Zoe meets a dog at ArtsFest.

The Twins had a ball at the kids' area at ArtsFest.

Izzie and Driko head back to the car after ArtsFest.

Izzie is quite the fashion plate. Here she reveals autumn's next fashion trend.

Zoe reads with HAHA, recently betrothed to the Burger King.

August August Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:38:00 +0000

Zoe poses nicely with her ball.

Ulana competes with the Twins in the cuteness category... ;-)

Zoe is liking the Ulana/teddy bear combo... :-)

Izzie and Ozzie! :-)

Izzie nesting

Zoe nesting

Izzie and Zoe nesting

Driko reads with Izzie and Zoe.

Izzie and Zoe show off their "hiding place."

Zoe poses.

The Twins don their Easter Helmets in preparation for battle.

Ulana sternly referees.

OK, maybe not so sternly. ;-)

Driko has some Morning Fun Time with the Twins.

Izzie poses.

Zoe and Izzie play on slides with Driko.

Dido reads to the Twins.

Zoe shares her "phone call" with Dido.

Zoe has a laugh with Dido.

Babi and Ulana read to Izzie.

Ulana and the Twins hang out in The Box.

The Twins pose just outside of The Box.

Zoe mocks those who fear The Box.

Zoe attempts to entrap Izzie in The Box.

Izzie and Zoe pose in the new baskets bought for their toys. Note Izzie "raising the roof."

Zoe attempts to outrun the setting sun.

Izzie practices her runway strut. (Just kidding; the show "Toddlers & Tiaras" is a disgusting blight on society.)

Izzie also basks in the rays of the setting sun.

Human-Powered Vehicle Technology Demonstrated at Casa Chornopeckyj

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Izzie rides in her Big Girl Car!

Zoe discovers her trunk.

Ta da!

Izzie also inspects her trunk.

Zoe stops crusin' long enough to pose for a picture.

Izzie indicates that she is about to come after the photographer.

Zoe demonstrates the widely discredited "Keep Away Method" of sharing.

Mmmm... Whipped Cream.

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Ulana lures the unsuspecting twins over to try some whipped cream.

Zoe gives it a try.

Izzie samples some too.

Everybody wants more whipped cream!

Izzie is quite happy with her decision to try whipped cream.

Izzie dives in for more.

Things start getting a little messy...

Izzie is undeterred.

Uh oh, that's whipped cream coming out of Izzie's nose!

Somehow we just knew that things wouldn't end well...

Jovial July Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:41:00 +0000

Izzie borrows Didyo's hat for a moment.

"Gimme five!" :-)

Babusia reads to Zoe.

Zoe hangs out with Didyo.

Zoe offers to share her bottle.

Big smiles! :-)

Izzie and Zoe momentarily play nicely together on the chair...

I'm not quite sure how we managed to get them to sit still for a nice picture together...

Ulana provides a nice lap for reading.

Izzie hangs out on the chair.

Still playing nicely! ;-)

A picture of Ulana taking a picture...

Izzie and Zoe play on their Bilibos. Thanks, Teta Tamar and Vuyko Andriy! :-)

Some nice poses from Izzie...

Driko shows Zoe some pictures he just took.

Zoe hangs out on her Bilibo.

The Twins inspect Driko's camera.

Izzie helps Driko take a picture.

All tuckered out...

Cheesy grins all around! :-)

They wear their hats sideways for street cred.

You should see her run like this. No, seriously.

DJ Zoe.

Synchronized Leaning

Zoe demonstrates her unorthodox method of holding a phone.

Ulana shows the Twins some pictures.

Ulana points out Izzie's belly button.

Zoe "hides."

Zoe has some fun with Dido.

Driko being photographer-like

Izzie getting ready to hurl her ball.

Twins' Pool Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:18:00 +0000

We broke out an inflatable wading pool over several weekends in the unseasonably hot July and August. Zoe loved it, but it took a while for Izzie to take to it. Videos to follow, hopefully...

Jocularity!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:54:00 +0000

Some rambunctious little girls play with Mama... :-)

A slightly higher resolution version of this video can be viewed at flickr.

Playground Puzzle

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:51:00 +0000

Zoe and Izzie try to figure out how the playground toy works.

A slightly higher resolution version of this video can be viewed at flickr.

Ducks!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:49:00 +0000

Izzie and Zoe spot some ducks from their wagon while riding on the boardwalk at
Solomons Island.

A slightly higher resolution version of this video can be viewed at flickr.

Joyous June Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:51:00 +0000

Sweet slumber...

Zoe fashionably sports her sun glasses on the boardwalk at Solomons Island.

Someone was kind enough to take a family picture of us on the Solomons Island boardwalk. Too bad Zoe turned away...

Izzie and Zoe gaze at the Patuxent River from their wagon.

Such fashion mavens...

Izzie looks at the world through rose-colored glasses. Too easy, I know... ;-p

Zoe is amused by this bush.

Izzie and Zoe at the playground on the waterfront at Solomons Island

Zoe is captivated by one of the playground toys...

The twins have taken to using their teddy bears as pillows during nap time.

Ulana enjoys the birthday cake that Izzie and Zoe baked.

The Twins help Ulana blow out the candles on her birthday cake.

A squinty Zoe poses with Ozzie.

A somewhat pensive Izzie models a summer dress.

Izzie and Zoe hang out at the bottom of the stairs. They've been really enjoying the bubbles they got as favors from Spencer's recent birthday party. Thanks! :-)

Izzie shows off her summer dress.

Zoe also models a summer dress, with Ozzie supervising. ;-)

Big smiles from Zoe! :-)

Some giggly girls play with Mama.

Uh oh, we're in trouble. Izzie tried coffee, and liked it...

I think we've posted pictures of this expression on Zoe before. We're still not sure what to make of it...

Izzie and Zoe love cameras. Driko shows them some recent pictures while valiantly attempting to prevent them from mashing buttons.

Izzie sees herself!

The Twins at Spencer's Third Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:39:00 +0000

Spencer turned three years old a couple of weeks ago, and the Twins had a lot of fun at his party!

Zoe beats the heat with the cool water table.

Mrs. English shows Zoe how the water table works.

Aunt Julie hangs out with the Twins.

A nice shot of Mrs. English enjoying herself.

The Twins munch on some yummy goldfish.

The Twins dazzle the crowds with their nü-rockabilly tunes.

Yay, balloons!

Zoe attempts to hack into The Pentagon.

Izzie, on the other hand, fuels up with a chicken nugget before practicing her cyberstalking skills.

Spencer shows Shelley how to blow out a birthday cake.

Sadie and Zoe gossip over some birthday cake.

A shot of Zoe just before she flips off a fellow driver.

Izzie practices non-violent resistance.

Zoe had a great time playing with Steven!

Baby Jail Laps

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 30 May 2010 15:59:00 +0000

Izzie and Zoe run around baby jail for no good reason. We think Zoe might have been imitating one of the Flashdance numbers judging from her outfit... ;-)

A slightly higher resolution video is available at Flickr.

Marginally Mondo May Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sat, 29 May 2010 21:49:00 +0000

"Hi!"

The longish exposure gives a nice sense of Zoe's running...

All tuckered out...

Zoe enjoys some juice.

Zoe shows off her sprout.

Zoe sports a cheesy grin while hanging out with Mama.

Having been felled by Mama in their wrestling match, Izzie prepares to play dirty by gouging her eye. ;-)

Zoe turns exhbitionist/Flashdance imitator. We're so proud. ;-p

Ozzie suddenly became very helpful when it became clear that food was involved.

The Twins enjoy some spinach white pizza. Ozzie gallantly offers his assistance in cleaning up any that might fall.

Izzie has gotten better at interacting with Ozzie; much less violence is involved... ;-)

Izzie relaxes on the couch.

Izzie decides that Tato's shoe is an ideal hiding place for a ball.

Mmm... Blackberries?

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sat, 08 May 2010 14:58:00 +0000

We introduced the twins to blackberries recently. Their faces made us think that they didn't like them, but they kept coming back for more...

Blackberries taste bad! Give me more...

Zoe is already opening her mouth for more blackberries as Izzie gets some.

Seconds later, Ulana's finger was devoured because it tasted too much like blackberries. ;-)

"Dude, those were some gnarly blackberries." We especially like the fruity soul patch... :-)

Izzie has a bit of a stoner look here too... ;-)

More blackberry soul patch action...

Twin Egyptian Princesses

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Tue, 04 May 2010 00:52:00 +0000

Today we received some beautiful dresses in the mail from Teta Tamar, Vuyko Andriy and family, who are stationed in Egypt. Despite being a bit big, the dresses look very pretty on the girls. Thanks!

The blue in the dress really brings out her blue eyes...

The Twins really seemed to like their new dresses!

The sprout in her hair is a new (and very cute) development...

Izzie knows how to ham it up for the camera.

Creating and harnessing this totem pole was quite a feat.

Surprisingly Understated April Update

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 02 May 2010 21:29:00 +0000

We haven't taken as many photos lately, although if you consider the Easter holidays, then I guess it isn't too much less...

Zoe plays with some of the presents she found in her Easter basket. Thanks, Babi and Dido! :-)

So sleepy...

Sleepy Head Izzie cuddles with her Teddy Bear...

Zoe is in quite a pensive mood here...

Baby Laughs

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:07:00 +0000

Turn this up if you can't hear it, because the Twins' laughs are priceless... :-)

The Twins' First Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Last year, we didn't make it up to Baltimore for Easter because Izzie wasn't feeling well, so technically this is the Twins' first Easter. We dressed them up nicely, and I have to admit they look pretty darn cute. :-)

The pictures taken during and after the blessing of the Easter baskets on Saturday were courtesy of my father, and the rest of the pictures from Easter Sunday were taken by Ulana and me.

Izzie and Zoe prove to be the center of attention during the blessing of the Easter baskets.

Izzie burns off some energy on the lawn in front of church after the blessing.

Little Blue Eyes poses nicely for the camera... :-)

Izzie makes a run for it...

The Happy Family in front of church; somewhat of a rarity to get us all in the same picture. Thanks Dido!

Zoe and Izzie play with their Easter basket gifts on Easter Sunday.

Zoe has discovered opening and closing doors...

Izzie helpfully attempts to assemble some notes that she recently destroyed. ;-)

Izzie practices her Roadie skills. ;-)

Zoe loves spending time with Vuyko Marko.

Zoe provides Izzie a demonstration on how the door works.

The Twins sample hard boiled eggs per the Ukrainian Easter tradition of sharing the Blessed Egg. They did surprisingly well; the same cannot be said for Driko, although he pushed through it... ;-)

Izzie is gracious enough to share her egg with Didyo.

Izzie and Zoe both enjoy borscht!

Izzie displays her narcissistic side... ;-)

Izzie decides to "hide" all of the borscht for herself and is caught red-handed. Sorry, too easy... ;-)

Izzie in profile.

I probably shouldn't make fun, but Zoe's Bed Head was hard to ignore... :-) Mama says it's just curly hair that can be difficult to tame. The sprout on top, though, certainly makes up for it.

Izzie and Zoe show off their Easter basket goodies to Baba.

Izzie. Ball. They get along well... :-)

Poor Nickie seeks solace between Vuyko Ostap's legs. :-)

Zoe admires a beautiful photo of Baba and Dido.

Izzie's rockin' da Easter party at Baba's house! :-)

Zoe has also learned to appreciate the amusing optical properties of mirrors.

March Madness Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew Chorney) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:23:00 +0000

Zoe's cheesy, I mean photogenic, grin strikes again! ;-)

Zoe looks like such a tough girl here! She just hit her head on something and got a cut over her left eye. The bloody jacket and jeans just makes me think that she got into some toddler bar brawl or something... ;-)

Vuyko Marko poses with the Twins.

Zoe has a fun time with Vuyko Marko.

Vuyko Marko tries to get just the right shot of the Twins.

Zoe has taken to opening and closing the door. And opening and closing the door. And opening and closing the door... Here she eyes her next conquest.

Izzie gives out kisses to Vuyko Marko.

Fun time with theTwins during Vuyko Marko's visit in March.

Driko challenges the twins to a wrestling match. Their tiny fists of fury proved to be indomitable... ;-)

Baby Feet (Izzie's)

Nice profile of Izzie.

Izzie hangs with Driko.

Zoe enjoys a french fry at the Ruddy Duck Bar & Grill. Mmm... french fries.

Izzie patiently awaits dinner outside at the Ruddy Duck Bar & Grill.

Hi, I'm Cheesy! Who are you?

Izzie cuddles with Ulana.

Ulana experimented with some pictures through one of the Twins' toys.

It will only be a matter of time before Lady Gaga steals Ulana's idea here.