The warm weather is about to end here in STL, it has been awesome. Rain tomorrow.. ugh!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Vika's pics from singing in church..
We hired Jen Peterson to shoot pics at church for us. She did awesome. She also did our pics when we cam home from the airport.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Justin's fouth flying lesson KSET N35079
Great weekend..
Got lots completed around the house. The little shed is coming right along. Hope to have it under roof this coming weekend. YEAH
Justin had a great football game with one interception and a touchdown.
Happy Birthday to Miss Caroline.. turned 11 Sunday. Vika, Justin & I atteneded the party while Dr. Amy did some packing and had girl time.
Got lots completed around the house. The little shed is coming right along. Hope to have it under roof this coming weekend. YEAH
Justin had a great football game with one interception and a touchdown.
Happy Birthday to Miss Caroline.. turned 11 Sunday. Vika, Justin & I atteneded the party while Dr. Amy did some packing and had girl time.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Vika went with Aunt Mel & the girls to a volleyball game
First Caroline and the ILS Eagles won!!!
Justin had a make up football game and we had to find something fun for Vika to do. So she went with Aunt Mel..
Justin had a make up football game and we had to find something fun for Vika to do. So she went with Aunt Mel..
A plug for Justin's favorite vacation...
Disney Cruise Line
They were just awarded #1. That’s right, No. 1! Disney Cruise Line was named the top cruise line by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine last night at the 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards ceremony in New York City. Samantha Brown, renowned travel expert and television host on The Travel Channel, presented the award to Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz at the gala.
They were just awarded #1. That’s right, No. 1! Disney Cruise Line was named the top cruise line by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine last night at the 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards ceremony in New York City. Samantha Brown, renowned travel expert and television host on The Travel Channel, presented the award to Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz at the gala.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Vika adjusting well...
People are always curious if Vika is adjusting well..
With God's grace and lots of love from family and friends..
I can say yes she is...
With God's grace and lots of love from family and friends..
I can say yes she is...
Friday, October 8, 2010
Vika Gotcha Trip Part 1
These qlips are are from the last CD I shot while living in the Holiday Inn Moscow. The place was HUGE!!! It was a convention center. I guess the funniest convention that was there while we were was the Mary Kay cosmetic. The woman were a military type uniform with skirt bottom and super HIGH heels. There had to be at least 500 women easily. Across the street was a mall that was anchored on the lower floor with a grocery store. THANK GOD We were able to go buy food and juice to keep our sanity. Across the other street was a McDonalds.. it was fine dining for us. Although Vika didn't think to much of it.
It was everything we could do to keep our sanity. FLAT OUT it was a rough time. Emotional overload with the joy of our little girl. The location of being so far from home. It was freaking COLD! We were living in a 200sq ft room for 10 days..
The flight home was HORRIBLE... It was packed full. There were tons of drunks everywhere. The United flight attendants could not control the crowd. When we hit the ground in Washington DC I could have kissed the ground. We had a layover which allowed us to get some Ameerican junk food before our quick flight home.
We landed in St. Louis after 20 hours of travel. No sleep... But we were home. About 30 people meet us at the airport. Talk about an emaotional time..
It was everything we could do to keep our sanity. FLAT OUT it was a rough time. Emotional overload with the joy of our little girl. The location of being so far from home. It was freaking COLD! We were living in a 200sq ft room for 10 days..
The flight home was HORRIBLE... It was packed full. There were tons of drunks everywhere. The United flight attendants could not control the crowd. When we hit the ground in Washington DC I could have kissed the ground. We had a layover which allowed us to get some Ameerican junk food before our quick flight home.
We landed in St. Louis after 20 hours of travel. No sleep... But we were home. About 30 people meet us at the airport. Talk about an emaotional time..
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Vika Second Trip Day 2 Part 1
Our second trip to see Vika took place in February of 2010. This trip was all about court. We had to see Vika twice before court. Like we were going to change our mind or something... LOL. Durring this trip the jet lag bug hit Amy hard... The first trip it was me. Thank God it was the week of the Winter Olympics. We would watch them all night long live from Canada when we couldn't sleep. I don't think I have ever watched that much figure skating EVER! LOL
Our court appt was a Thursday and went very quick.. I was the only male in the room. The judge and all of her staff were female. I did get asked most of the questions pretty basic questions. The big favorite of the proceeding was the huge book of pics I brought along from the first trip that we took of Vika. They passed it from person to person; starting with the judge.
Our court appt was a Thursday and went very quick.. I was the only male in the room. The judge and all of her staff were female. I did get asked most of the questions pretty basic questions. The big favorite of the proceeding was the huge book of pics I brought along from the first trip that we took of Vika. They passed it from person to person; starting with the judge.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Vika Second Trip Day 1 Part 1
This was our second trip in February of 2010. This trip was alot of paper once we got to Moscow. We landed on a Friday morning and hit the ground running. We had to go sign papers for Vika at the passport office. The bummer part of the trip was we did not get to see her until Tuesday. Monday was a holiday and no visits are allowed over the weeekend.
This trip we stayed at the Sheraton. Thanks to Amys cousin we had vouchers for free meals. Which was a HUGE help, becuase it was very common for meals to be $100. Thankfully the hotel had a excercise facility, so we would spend hours there working out. The 2010 Winter Olympics were also on. That was a huge help. Amy had the jet lag this time. We would fall asleep about 6pm and wake up around 1am. The Olympics were on live from Canada which helped out a bunch though. Durring this trip, Russia had the most snow they ever recieved at one time, it was almost 27 inches. It didn't faze them a bit.
This trip we stayed at the Sheraton. Thanks to Amys cousin we had vouchers for free meals. Which was a HUGE help, becuase it was very common for meals to be $100. Thankfully the hotel had a excercise facility, so we would spend hours there working out. The 2010 Winter Olympics were also on. That was a huge help. Amy had the jet lag this time. We would fall asleep about 6pm and wake up around 1am. The Olympics were on live from Canada which helped out a bunch though. Durring this trip, Russia had the most snow they ever recieved at one time, it was almost 27 inches. It didn't faze them a bit.
Vika air guitar
Nothing like a little air guitar before bed!!
Amy got Justin the new Trans Siberian Orchestra CD.. Vika thought it rocked!
Amy got Justin the new Trans Siberian Orchestra CD.. Vika thought it rocked!
Monday, October 4, 2010
October weekend...
Wow was it chilly over the weekend! UGH.. I miss summer!
Justin lost the football game. Darn!! But he and I got in some great fly time on Sunday morning. Had the airport to ourselves. Did some touch goes in the Daimond.
Got all of the walls built on the new little shed. Hope to have it up complete this weekend.
Another busy week. Lord give us strength.
:-)
Justin lost the football game. Darn!! But he and I got in some great fly time on Sunday morning. Had the airport to ourselves. Did some touch goes in the Daimond.
Got all of the walls built on the new little shed. Hope to have it up complete this weekend.
Another busy week. Lord give us strength.
:-)
Vika First Trip Third Day Part 1
This was our third visit on our first trip to see Vika. Just some things that I remember... We had to pay extra for our thrid visit. IT WAS SO WORTH IT. The 3rd day everything clicked! Praise God. We were coming off a kinda so so visit with Vika on day 2. Still to this day Vika needs a nap. She naps for roughly an hour and a half each day. So in day 2 visit with her being hungry and needing a nap wow.. we were lucky she was functional. LOL As you will see from the video Vika played and played with Amy. They were momma and daughter.
I still can't watch these videos.. Not sure why... Oh well my daughter is home. On a funny note. This was a Thursday. On Friday we were supposed to leave to come home. Friday morning we loaded up on our 767 to fly home and it broke. Flight canceled. UGH United put us up in a CRAPPY Moscow hotel next to the airport. Amy & I sat up al night and txt'd people via Facebook. What a night.
I still can't watch these videos.. Not sure why... Oh well my daughter is home. On a funny note. This was a Thursday. On Friday we were supposed to leave to come home. Friday morning we loaded up on our 767 to fly home and it broke. Flight canceled. UGH United put us up in a CRAPPY Moscow hotel next to the airport. Amy & I sat up al night and txt'd people via Facebook. What a night.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Vika first trip Second day part 1
This was the second visit we ever had with Vika.
It was not too good. Vika had just finished a muscial - fall festival party and was missing a snack with her friends if I remember correctly. I have said it many times and will say it again. We owe so much t Vika's music teacher. Vika had run out of the room. The director of the orphanage's #2 person came in and said Vika was not happy and the visit was over. UGH! The music teacher then stepped in, went and got Vika and calmed Vika down. All in all the visit was ok. The third visit which I will post Monday was wonderful.
Keep in mind this entire time we were trying to communicate with a western trained DR about Vika's health, emotions were on overload.
Olga our translator is the lady in the video that is talking with Vika... BTW.. Vika does not speak any Russian anymore. This was NOT something we tried to do. She basically little by little refused to speak it anymore. I still try to speak it with her but she looks at me like what are you talking about Pappa.. LOL From what wee have heard this is not so uncommon. Who knows, maybe when she is older she will study it.
This weekend.. Justin has a football game on Saturday. Him and I are flying Sunday in the Diamond Star. Amy has DR meetings today. All is well the weather was beautiful all week. Cooling off, even down to 40's over night this weekend.
Thx for listening...
It was not too good. Vika had just finished a muscial - fall festival party and was missing a snack with her friends if I remember correctly. I have said it many times and will say it again. We owe so much t Vika's music teacher. Vika had run out of the room. The director of the orphanage's #2 person came in and said Vika was not happy and the visit was over. UGH! The music teacher then stepped in, went and got Vika and calmed Vika down. All in all the visit was ok. The third visit which I will post Monday was wonderful.
Keep in mind this entire time we were trying to communicate with a western trained DR about Vika's health, emotions were on overload.
Olga our translator is the lady in the video that is talking with Vika... BTW.. Vika does not speak any Russian anymore. This was NOT something we tried to do. She basically little by little refused to speak it anymore. I still try to speak it with her but she looks at me like what are you talking about Pappa.. LOL From what wee have heard this is not so uncommon. Who knows, maybe when she is older she will study it.
This weekend.. Justin has a football game on Saturday. Him and I are flying Sunday in the Diamond Star. Amy has DR meetings today. All is well the weather was beautiful all week. Cooling off, even down to 40's over night this weekend.
Thx for listening...
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