Goodbye Russia, Hello USA

I'm finally getting around to catching up here! And I'm writing from the USA! It's great to be back, visiting family & friends. First though, we need to back up to May, because we had some fun events happening before we left Russia. Get ready for LOTS of pictures again! First, a slide show from when our friends from PA came to visit.




Next, some pictures from Lydia's birthday party on May 17th. Lydia's "babushka" Svetlana came.
I made a cake of one of Lydia's favorite Russian cartoon characters: Luntik.

Quite a crowd!

After some cake & ice cream, we went to the park to play.

Here are some pictures from beautiful springtime in the park:

This was the morning of Lydia's last day of preschool.

On one of our last nights in St. Petersburg, we had Dasha come and watch the girls...

while we went to Teremok for one last blin!

And had one last walk through Palace Square!

Saying goodbye to friends...

On the long trip back to the USA. (Do we look a little tired?)

Back in our home church in PA: Lydia making a new friend.

Time with family: At Great Grandma & Grandpa's house.

Celebrating Birdie's 1st birthday!

Still a little too jet-lagged to act too happy, but the frosting was tasty!

Playing with second cousin, Micah.

Learning to hit the ball with Poppaw!

Family photo:

Mmmmm! Potluck fellowship meal at church!

Lots of little girls!

Lovin' time with Poppaw!

Fun ride!

Last shots of the "fang smile" before those front teeth came in!

Getting used to riding in the carseat: a new experience.

Picnic with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew.

Lydia and her cousin had so much fun getting to know each other!

Birdie (not sleeping) in the pack & play during our picnic. Love that smooshed face!

July 4th: Huge family reunion at my Aunt & Uncle's house. The kids loved riding on "The Jitney."

Birdie with Grandma.

Birdie in the garden at the reunion.

After a couple of weeks in PA, we hopped in our awesome mini-van, and headed to Arkansas. We camped 3 nights along the way. Here's a slide show of our adventures on the road and some time with Aaron's family in AR.



So, those are the highlights so far! Great memories being made!