Snapshots

I learned in Alaska that for the adoring Aunt, there's nothing like a blog for bragging.

So without further ado, here I go.

David:

Entering the ungainly years when soon pants and ankles will meet halfway, but still--beyond a doubt-- adorable. Terribly smart too. (And still cuddles his auntie!)

Dasha:

Can you see them in the picture? These freckles drive me nuts, they're so cute! And Dasha is a delightfully sunny, affectionate girlie.

Diana:

The loving, slender little princess who tells me "I will miss you when you go away. You are the joy giver." She is unbelievably sweet.

Dalina:

Loves to be called her baby nickname, the little burunduk (chipmunk). Fun-loving and bouncy and she still has that raspy voice. :)

Damara:

Quieter than her siblings... she loves to catch your eye and smile (just like she's doing in the picture). The littlest Sobie is a chubby package of cuteness!

Oksana and her amazing cooking...! She made us a delicious dinner of Russian soup and varieniky (Russian perogies). Sooo-ho-ho good!

I bought a tie-dye kit to make matching shirts with the kids! We had a lot of fun making them and they turned out great. I haven't taken a picture with everybody in it yet, but here's one of David and I in our groovy new duds:

The children do amazingly on the bells! They play both Russian and American songs beautifully. Many churches call to ask them to come and play for services. Here they are, practicing with Papa.

...But not all of them practice. Damara's not quite ready for bells so she cheers them on from the sidelines.

The is the wrapping job I got from Dr. Eyebrows.

For some reason I liked it so I took a picture.

For some reason I liked the picture so I'm sharing it with you.

It might have something to do with garnering sympathy but I'm not going to analyze.

My brother is a FIRST RATE teacher! I loved watching him teach English at a college in Zap. one evening. His students obviously adore him and even I enjoyed the lesson! As in everything else he does, he is a dynamic, energetic, wholehearted, and very personable teacher.

He also makes delicious all-you-can-eat blini.

Worth coming to Ukraine just for THAT.

Hope you enjoyed some snapshots of life in Ukraine! Thanks for stopping in. :)