Return to Angarsk Hill - A time to celebrate!

Red cheeks from being outside, faces that clearly show the sleep depravation, and "hat hair" for all, but still, one word comes to mind: FAMILY.

As planned we went out to celebrate with Irina and her family last night. I exaggerate not when I tell you this family is likely the most selfless, loving, thoughtful, and amazing one ever! We have said it many times, but without Irina and her family's help, we would never be eating pelmeni as a family right now!

pelmeni - they're meat filled dumplings that are to die for!

What she had done, and most importantly, HOW she got it done, just leaves us humbled! We can never repay her, but hope that she knows how much we love and care for her family, and that there is NOTHING we won't do for them. We plan to visit them as often as we can (strangely, we've decided our first trip back will be in winter - it's just way too much fun here this time of year!) and hope to get them to the US for a visit as well. We consider them family now!

We were also thrilled to find out Brian & Debbie were meeting us for dinner as well. Their court date is friday, so they are right behind us! Hopefully two will be enough court hearings for them and their adoption of Nathan (Genya) will be approved!

The boys throwing snow, while waiting for our ride last nite...

Considering we had both kids, Irina wisely suggested places that were informal, and had activities for them. We love Angarsk Hill, and jumped at the suggestion. We all arrived there around 5, and immediately went inside to look at the menu (well Irina looked at it, and translated). Debbie, Ksusha & I had the same chicken with tomatoes, mayonaise & cheese I had last weekend, Brian and Mike had traditional shashlik Irina had some fish dish, and I couldn't tell you what Vova had :( He was at the opposite end of the table! The boys split a baked chicken patty plate, that came with fried potatoes and coleslaw.

Once ordered, we went outside to play. In stark contrast to last weekend, the place was a ghost town. Very few people were there - which wasn't necessarily a problem - it was just the first time I'd been there when it wasn't packed with activity!

Skip & his new friend "Mr. Brian"

Mike rented some tubes and we all took turns going down the 1000' hills. The first time, it was Mike & I and the two boys, on three tubes tied together. I have to tell you, hearing the utter joy in Harry's voice, made that VERY long walk back up the hill again SO worth it. He just laughed the entire ride down, and was beaming when we finally got to the bottom! For the first time yesterday, I got cold being outside - my hands and my feet were VERY cold, so I went inside after just about a half-hour of tubing. Irina & Debbie followed, and eventually everyone came inside, red face, and cold hands and feet!

Man of the Hour - beaming!

Harry was a bit shy, but clearly happy to be there. He was PERFECT throughout the meal, and thoroughly enjoyed the special treatment. He ate all his food, AND all his dessert - ice cream (what else?). Irina and Vova gave us a gift - a shaslik grill just like theirs! They said they couldn't promise us winters of -25 weather, but, they knew we'd use it during the summer on the boat. They were SO right about that! The thing comes in a canvas carrying bag, and is flat, since all the pieces come apart. It is PERFECT for the boat!

Not shy about the ice cream!

For appetizers and dessert we also had a VERY special treat: Custom Printed M&M's. Not sure you can see it well, but some have Harry's picture, some say "Harry Holmes" some say "Thank You". Harry thought they were great. He kept looking at the pictures of himself, and at one point, declared "Neto, Skip" meaning "None of Skip"...

So much alike yet SO different!

We talked through dinner, reliving the joys and the disappointments along this adoption journey. Mike & I have spent more than 2/3 of our married life pursuing the adoptions of these two boys, and its clear, we need to just be a family now. There are SThe night passed very quickly and all too soon we had to head back home. One the way home, there is a spot where you can see the city of Angarsk and all its lights, etc. since its the highest point with the best unobstructed view. Irina explained to Harry what we were looking at. He took a deep breath, exhaled, then told her something in a very excited voice. I asked her what he said, and she said he said simply, "How beautiful!" I again fought back tears it was so touching! This four year old boy truly mesmerized by a sight he had never even imagined!

The rest of the 15 - 20 minute ride home, both boys gave new meaning to the term "Verbal Diarreah". One talked in Russian, one in English - ALL the way home. I told Irina that if there was ever any doubt these two boys were biological brother, tonite proved otherwise! She laughed and told me she thought the same thing!

Both boys got into pjs quickly, and while Skip seemed more tired than Harry, they both stayed awake for some time, just talking and playing with toy. Eventually I NEEDED to sleep, so I convinced Skip to sleep on the bed we made on the floor for one of them (lost the cover for the air mattress) so Harry could have the bed. Skip fell asleep quickly, but Harry kept trying to come into our bed. Finally he looked at me with such a sweet face and said (in Russian) that he wanted to sleep with Poppa. So, of course, we let him climb up on the pull-out sofa that serves as our bed. He snuggled right up near Mike and was asleep in minutes. Mike carried him to bed, and the two of them slept til 7ish.

I was awake, but Mike was asleep, when at 7:25 both of them came in. As is the custom, Skip came in saying "Good Morning Sleepyheads". Harry, right behind him, simply smiled from ear to ear. I looked at Harry and said slowly, "Good Morning". He thought about it a second smiled and then held up a bag of candy Vova game him yesterday and responded "Good Can-Deee".... Oh, the fun is just beginning....




NOTE: Uploading pictures is difficult today, again, so I'll have to put the rest up later...sorry! And I promise to get the court day details on here soon. I know all the waiting families especially are anxious. In truth, I started, but just typing the words gets me crying again, so...gimme another day or two!