Thursday, November 20, 2008

Because I can

Here are some pictures! How wonderful it is to be able to upload pictures quickly! Enjoy!
Our first family photo together! We need to get some professional pictures taken soon.
Mama and her adorable kids!
Grandpa ("Pa-Pa") and Daddy with the kids.
Mama & the kids at the McDonald's in Kiev, Ukraine.
The kids with their Aunt Tisha and grandparents.
Keith and his chicken nuggets and french fries which Kristina shared with him. Neither child enjoyed the food at all and were ready to eat as soon as we got home.



Keith has trouble drinking so we opted for a bottle which works really well. Kristina can drink from a cup but I prefer sippy cups when we're out of the kitchen.

What cuties!
Keith was tired of pictures at this point.

Sleeping beauty!Sleeping boy!
Spending time in the apartment in Kiev, Ukraine.
Mama Bigoon gave Keith a haircut - isn't it adorable? I was tired of that 1 inch hair only in the front - I heard that the long hair only in the front is a traditional haircut for Russian boys.
I put some gel in his hair to help it stick up in the front - I've waited so long to do that on a boy!
There were several balloons in the apartment when we arrived - Kristina LOVED it!






Above is a picture of Keith in the overnight train from Donets'k to Kiev, Ukraine.



When Keith gets excited he moves his arms up and down and makes this expression on his face. So funny!
When Keith gets excited or scared he puts his hand over his nose and mouth.


Mama Bigoon with her Ukrainian "grandchildren". She loved playing the part of "Babushka" (Grandma) while I stayed with her in Mariupol.


Galia had fun playing with the kids.





This is the room where Kristina slept in her orphanage (internat).
Keith loves playing with cords, especially black ones.
Below is Galia feeding Borscht to Kristina.
Below is one of the rooms from Kristina's orphanage.
Above is Kristina's bed - the one on the right and below is the main "living room".
Kristina all ready to leave the orphanage with her Mama! Below is Sister Glenn & me after the concert at Mariupol University. Sister Glenn is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Donets'k, Ukraine. She graduated from Arizona State with a degree in music composition.
Sister Glenn & I with our accompanists.
My accompanist - she was amazing. I sang a Russian piece by Rachmaniov and I was touched by the way the accompanist played the piece by a composer from her country. She played with such emotion. I hope to experience something like that again in the future.
Keith & I in the cab on our way from Keith's orphanage!
Keith getting dressed to leave his orphanage in Artemovsk.
Rooms from Keith's orphanage.
Keith eating before we left.

Keith in his crib the morning of his leaving the orphanage FOREVER!!!
It's dark, but that is his crib in the corner next to the changing table.
Outside Keith's orphanage.
A "pizza" that I had in Donets'k. It was more like an expensive tortilla with sliced tomatoes and cheese on top.
The missionaries and I in Mama Bigoon's living room. We baked an apple pie that night and watched I LOVE LUCY. Fun times.
Br. Igor - a member of the church in Mariupol. He's an engineer and has been taking care of his mom who has severe arthritis for the past 13 years. He's one of the most giving and kind people I've ever met. He's very dedicated to the church and to his mom. He's planning to move to Montreal, Canada, in a month to work there and hopefully find some relief to his mom's suffering.
Mama Bigoon, a sister from the branch who sings/teaches opera, me, Sister Glenn - after our concert that Mama Bigoon organized after church on Sunday.
A group of members who went to see "The taming of the schrew" at the theatre. It was in Russian and I enjoyed seeing it.
Galia eating the brownie sundaes that we made.

Sister Glenn & Yulia.

15 comments:

Drew said...

We are so happy for you guys. You have been working hard to get to a spot where you can have your family here at home together, and after such a long time, you got it. We are looking forward to meeting the new ones.

Diana said...

I love all the pictures!! I'm amazed at how much our kids have changed since our first family photo!

Melisa said...

Yeah! What adorable kids! How does the mom of 3 feel? :) Glad to have you back!

Joseph and Kamber said...

Wow, what an adventure. I'm glad you were able to get so many photos of inside the orphanages. I didn't really think about it and have been regreting it ever since. Good luck on the next few months of adjustment. Remember it's okay to cry and remember to laugh.

Heather said...

One big happy family! Yay!

MamaPoRuski said...

Wow, that was a lot of pictures you've been wanting to post! They look GREAT!
Welcome home to technology, modern conveniences, your own bed and English! God Bless!

Ticklemedana said...

I love how close Keith and Kristina seem and how they already seem to feel like siblings! they look so happy jill and I'm so excited for you and your family and the new adventures you'll have! when is the temple sealing?

Sarah C said...

Your family looks so cute. I love the pictures. I can't wait to meet Keith and Kristina. They are adorable.

Conethia and Jim Bob said...

What beautiful pictures of your babies. Oh, the memories you have. I'm sure this will be the happiest Thanksgiving you will ever have!!

Courtney said...

I can't wait to see how much Keith and Kristina grow with some good nutrition and LOTS of LOVE!! :)

Winnie said...

I knew I recognized Keith!! He was in the same groupa as my guy. I even have a picture where you can kinda see him in his crib.

Good luck
Winnie

MoserUpdates said...

I've really enjoyed hearing your story, and I'm so excited to see you and your family reunited. How FUN!!!

Carina said...

Yay family! Such adorable pictures. I'm so glad to hear that things are going well!

That picture of Keith with the black cord makes me laugh. Joshua looooves cords, which makes things interesting around our house because of all the electronic equipment...

Valerie said...

I ran straight to the computer to check your blog as soon as I got home from Philadelphia this afternoon!!! I am so happy that you arrived home safe and sound! The family pictures brought tears to my eyes! It is so good to see the 5 of you together! I told Evan that Keith was coming home this week and it is all he has talked about! We are just elated for you and your family! I am sorry to hear that the kids are sick. Praying that they are all well soon and that you are able to catch up on some much-needed rest. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call. Once things have settled down at bit for you, we would love to get together!!!

schoolmother said...

Wow! Thanks so much for all of the pictures and the update.
Joy,RR