18 Sept 2011

Well one of the fun things in the past few weeks was watching the children start back to school.  It is a very big event here.  Every child brings beautiful bouquets of flowers for the teacher and the whole family comes to see them start school.  We went right down to the school and acted like we were grandparents (which did not take much acting) and enjoyed watching all the children. The flowers here are so beautiful. 
It has turned to fall here. We have had a lot of rain.  But the last few days we have had some sunshine so that has been nice.
Our Cody will go through the Temple on Saturday in St. George to take out his endowments to go on his mission in a few weeks.  We are so proud of him.  It is so hard  to be far away and not participate and be a part of this event with him, but he will know we are thinking of him.  Our children have taken care of each other so good while we have been gone.  Mitch and Michelle's families are going to St. George on Saturday to go through the Temple with him.  We are so greatful for all of our wonderful children.
O.K. if you have an hour of spare time start looking at all these pictures.  Or if you just have a few minutes then look at a few.


1st day of school



Looking out the kitchen window as the first day begins.



The little boys all bring flowers and they all had on suits.






So many beautiful flowers.

Another cute little girl.  Look at her pretty long hair and pretty
white bow.

This little guy was so cute.  He waved and said hi to us.

Rain, rain.  But that doesn't stop the party.

You can see the whole family with this little girl



Big white bows and flowers and white tights were almost on every little girl



This little guy was not to sure about his flowers.
Aren't they so cute in their little suits holding the flowers?



I loved her tights and shoes. 



More cute little girls with beautiful flowers abd white tights
and white bows.  And most of the girls either had on
blue skirts or jumpers.

This is so blurry because they were moving, but I just loved this little girl
in her big plaid skirt and sweater and hat.

The whole family

Most of the schools have big iron rod fences around them.

All dressed up, but I don't know where his flowers were.

Everyone was taking pictures.



Another favorite.  A little girl tired of the party and just
wants to push her toy.  Parents hold on to their childrens hands
most of the time in Russia.  And if they are not holding on they
are walking right with them.



More pretty flowers.

Looking out the kitchen window at the office as the
children were walking home from school.

They are making a subway station right on our corner.  The metro
does not come this far yet.  So we watch them working
everyday as we walk to and from the office.

And yes it does rain hard.  We were waiting for
the bus in this rain storm.

I call this our seasons tree.  It is right outside
the office window and we can look at it all day.
It looks like fall is in the air.

We said goodby to out dear friends Elder and Sister
Budd.  We loved them so much and hope to see them
when we get home.

And good by also to Elder Bogdanov.  One of our very
favorite missionaries.  He lives cloe to the city of Vladavostok
on the other end of Russia.  He served in Z-Grad for a long
time so became good friend.

Look who turned 4.  Our precious little Courtnee.

And look who I think turned 11.  Our precious little Sadie.  Her dads
hunting buddy.



Sadie went hunting for her birthday.  Her dad says she loves it.  And
this is with a broken arm. 



Who needs a son for a hunting buddy?

I took these pictures from pictures that Mat sent me.  So that is
why they are a little blurry.  But oh so cute.

Whats a camp without marshmellows?

Sandhill cranes.  And 2 hunting buddies.  Callie and Sadie.

What a good dad.  Do you think he loves his girls?  They love him?
A favorite picture of mine.



Elder Zwick a member of the seventies had been in Russia to teach
at a Presidents conference.  Our ward in Z-Grad got to have him speak.
In the picture is Sister Schwitzer, a sister in our ward, whose name is much
to hard to spell, Sister Zwick and then another Sister



Elder Zwick talking with Elder Palmer and Elder Hayes.

Not to sure what he was telling them, but he was looking at their nametags. For
my boys the elder with the red hair and big smile is a crazy mad hunter.  Elder
Gronning talks alot with him about hunting and I think it makes them both happy.

Another fun district meeting at the office.   Elder Ayers at the front of the
table is a beautiful piano player.

Oh, I think I am getting fat.  We do eat a lot.

Elder Spoerrys grandmother had sent him some root beer extract.  So he
made root beer and we got some ice cream and had root beer floats.
They were so yummy.  They have very good ice cream here and I do
love ice cream.  Especially vanilla.

Morgan and Karlees new puppy went to dog heaven.  I think she only
lived about a week.  But they were very sad.  So just a few days later they
had a new puppy and they love her just as much.  She is Lou Lou and
Karlee says she is a girl.

Elder Gronning is always entertaining.  President, the AP'S,
and the office elders.  I think they were on google earth looking
at their houses and seeing where they all lived.

Say cheese.  You have to love the elders.  Not to much longer and
our Cody will be one of them.