Da Sveedanya Papa

We said goodbye to Papa this morning. Tatiana and I helped Papa pack for his trip home yesterday and then we had lunch together at a restauraunt. We ordered by pointing at the photo's on the menu...an adventerous way to eat! Today is another rainy day in Irkutsk and Tatiana is missing her daily trip to the playground. We plan to meet up with the Salvatories, who are here for their first trip to visit a child. We will show them around a little and help them to get to know the area. It is just Tatiana and I here now ( the Ramsey's are still here too) and we already miss Kevin...but we are so happy that he will be home with Caleb and Jared and that we will be going home in a few weeks too! It will be such a wonderful homecoming!--Melanie

Today is Kevin's last day in Irkutsk. He will fly to Moscow tomorrow and then home via Zurich and Chicago. It is a rainy day here today. Yesterday was beautiful and we enjoyed time by the river last night. We even bought a little ice cream and sat outside to eat. Tatiana's Pake will be excited to hear that yesterday we took Tatiana into a book store...she was thrilled. She opened every book she could get her hands on! We found two small souveniers yesterday also, for those of you who know of our little "Strawberry", Anneke, we found two little boxes with strawberries on them. Anneke is always on our hearts and minds and she has definately been prominent in our minds as we look forward to introducing Tatiana to her family and remember that someday, in Heaven, our two daughters will meet. As for Tatiana, she continues to do well, she is talking up a storm...in Russian...we smile and nod and try to understand. I think she understands the english words "Are you hungry?". She responds appropriately each time I ask her with a "da" or " nyet"! She also loves her baths and would take two or three each day if allowed! That is all for today...I will contine to post after Kevin leaves and hopefuly I can keep Tatiana occupied while I type. ---Melanie