They are coming home!. All the visa work and medical exams are complete.

They arrive home at 6:31pm Jan. 1st. They fly in on United flight #6360.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through out this whole process. Both of our employers have been very good and understanding.

We really appreciate all the love and concern shown to us by our friends and family. Many prayers have been said. Our names have been submitted to many prayer rolls. We can't thank you enough for all that you have done.

Well today it became official. Our family has grown from 4 to 6. We are all excited. They were able to get the new birth certificates and passports today. When David went to pick up the kids there were a few tears shed. Luckily lots of the kids have left the orphanage for the holidays. I think that made it a little easier on the kids. David thought it was a good thing I was not there. He thought I would have shed a few tears myself. I think he is probably correct. It was hard enough to leave when I did.

The clan has arrived in Kiev. David called me at 4:00 this afternoon to say that they had arrived. I would imagine they are all very tired.

The bus stop in front of McDonalds. It was always full of people.
The little old ladies were selling cigarettes. They were selling the cigarettes individually not by the pack.

More crowds.

Our apartment in Kiev

The sign at the entrance to the orphanage.

Stained glass windows in the main building at the orphanage.

Pictures in the orphanage.
Street sign to the orphanage.

The front entrance to the orphanage.

Murals in the main building of the orphanage.

The opposite side.

Parking in Kiev

David in front of the church.

David shopping at the market

We spent one morning taking pictures of the monuments. All these monuments are within walking distance of each other.

This park has the monument pictured below.

This monument is the aviator the orphanage is named after.

David was enthralled with the old cars, trucks and buses.

The New Year's tree all decorated.
Instead of Christmas trees they put up New Year's trees. This tree was in the town center. They cut section of trees and put them in slots.

Marina and the kids after court.
Waiting for court

After court we went to dinner. As an appetizer they served this toast that was coated in oil. We then put this stuff in the bowl on top of the toast. After we ate it we found out this is pig fat with salt and garlic added to it. It was really good but we nearly got sick thinking about how much fat we ate.

The kids classroom.

And more Tania pictures

More of Tania's pictures

The day before court the boys had a competition. It was mostly relay races and then tug of war. We had Tania take some pictures because she was sitting in a better position than we were. She then asked if she could use the camera over night. She was able to get some good pictures of her friends. Dosha went to France the day after we had court. So I think Tania wanted to get plenty of pictures of her friends.

Sasha2, Victor and Sasha at the concert where Tania danced.

Victor and Sasha

Posha played his flute at the concert also.

The dance teacher getting the girls ready for the program.

Tania and Dosha are having a great time.