Hanging out...

Priviet everyone! (That means hello).

Yesterday we got to go to the orphanage and have a “party” with the kids from Masha’s group. It wasn’t much of a party, we brought 2 cakes and a bunch of grapes and strawberries for the kids. All of the kids were really quiet, there were about 14 of them. But they enjoyed the cake and fruit. Then, we went off to a puppet show that had come to the orphanage to put on a show for the kids. It was fun for the kids, I even understood 3 or 4 words during the hour-long show! I did a quick head-count of the kids too, there were 55 kids who need a mama and papa waiting at the orphanage.

All of the ladies were very nice and gave Masha a hug when it was time to go. Her care-giver gave her some money that was apparently given to the orphanage by a “sponsor” who rewards the kids for good grades. It was nice because in reality, her care-giver could have just pocketed the money and we would have never known. It was about $40US. As we were leaving, Masha said good bye to the director and her secretary, they all shed a few tears.

Once we got back, we just hung out and twiddled our thumbs, and goofed off so that we could pass the time. Oh, and I so kicked Masha’s butt in another pillow fight! I am the champion of the world! (well, room).

Anyway, today (Friday) we don’t have anything to do, so even though the weather is not that great, we are going to walk down to the sea and just bum around for a bit.

Love you all!

Brent & Chris – and Masha!

For Auntie Sam!

This picture is for Auntie Sam!

Brent has done a good job keeping up with the blog so far but I thought I would take a turn! We had a raining day and we spent most of it relaxing, watching T.V., napping, and playing games.

We did have our interview at the Consulate Office today. Our paper work is on it’s way to Moscow.

Brent also got Masha’s plane ticket changed. We could not do that here but we could change the date on Brent’s and mine. We had to email our travel agent to change Masha’s. We will arrive home on June 4^th! A full 10 days early!

Of course at this point we are bored and going crazy! There are now 7 other American couples here and we meet up stairs in a room called “The While Rabbit” and call it “7:00 Sanity check”. Trust me we all need it! Five of us have our kids and the other 3 couples are here for their first visit!

We love talking to the kids each day and seeing them with the computer camera’s Brent has set up. I was worried she would run!

It makes me fell good to know Grandma is still there! I know Logan is bored now that he is out of school and Alex has a few days left! Of course Rae is always busy!

Thank you for all your prayers and please keep them coming!

Need Some Prayers!

Today is the day that we were supposed to go to the American Consulate office and take care of the final paperwork before it was shipped off to Moscow.

Well, things don’t always work out the way that we would hope. I guess the Consulate is stuck in China and trying very hard to get a flight back to Vladivostok, but so far – no luck. So, we now need PRAYERS that the Consulate can make it back very soon so that we can still go there first thing in the morning and that our courier can still make her flight to Moscow without any further delays.

So, basically, we just hung out today and waited for our phone call so that we could go to the Consulate. We walked down to the East Sea again. I actually stepped into it a little bit to get a cool-looking shell. We also went to the motel playground a bit. Nothing much, but we have to keep busy – or go crazy.

Please keep praying for us, we really need some right now so that our courier is not delayed!

Love you all!

Brent

More Photos - Frisbee

Just a quick post.

Today we went to get Masha's passport and also to the doctor.

We also got our plane tickets changed. We are coming in on the same flight number at 23:55 on June 4th. We had originally been scheduled for the 14th.

Played some frisbee today, so here are some photos.

Love you all!

Brent

Walking around Vladivostok

Yesterday, Sunday, we got to go to downtown Vladivostok with 2 other American couples. We went down to the submarine so that Masha could go in it and just see something that she probably has never seen.

We spent about 5 hours walking around and checking things out. We went to the beach, along the East Sea, and walked a bit.

One thing we were on the hunt for was Mt. Dew, but we did not find any in cans with Russian words on them, so we will still be hunting for some. One thing that we did find was a little shop that we purchased a “Disney” DVD from. It has 7 full length movies on it, and several short films. It only cost about $7.00! Amazing!

Oh, we also went and got the plane tickets for our courier also. When we started out, we were told that the tickets started at 25,000 rubles ($1075). But, the tourist season just started, so we were then quoted 41,000 rubles ($1775), but when we got to the travel agency, it ended up being 36,500 rubles ($1560). So, still more than we hoped, but less than we had been quoted.

We also found out that we would be coming home on Wed June 4^th(?). We don’t know the time yet, but will post it when we know. We had hoped to come home on Saturday the (31^st), but Memorial Day the American Consulate office is closed, so that throws us off by a day – and the next flight that we can get on is Wednesday instead of Saturday. Chris is more upset than me, she is really bored and wants to get home, but I figure we are still getting out 9 or 10 days early – so whatever.

Today we go to the doctor and do a few other things, so we will post more later.

We love and miss you all!!!!

Brent

Pillow Fight!

So, yesterday Masha kicked my butt in a pillow fight!

She has really started to get more comfortable with us. We are having a good time with her.

We are going to head to town in a few minutes to purchase the tickets for our courier. We found out that they are going to cost almost twice as much as we were hoping, but since our 10 days was waived, we are not going to worry too much about it.

We are video-chatting every day with our kids and Margaret (grandma). It is pretty cool, and much cheaper than calling on the phone.

We cannot wait to get home! Love you all!

Brent

Day 1 with Masha

Ok, we walked around bit today. This is our first day that we have been able to spend with Masha. She has a lot of energy and is awesome.

We walked down to the sea and picked up some seashells today. We also went to the store and got a treat.

We still don't know exactly when we will be home, but it will definitely be before the 14th!

We love and miss you all, tons and cannot wait to get home!