Final Day at Sumy - First day at Kiev

Nothing More to Say!

Hannah Montana strikes again. We returned home late on Tuesday night and the kids showered and before I started on the blog, I was informed that the laptop was going to be used to watch the Hannah Montana movie. What could I say to this new found freedom and I knew we were going to be getting up at 4:30 to go to Kiev for our appointment with the US embassy, so I held up the white flag. Everything went well and tomorrow at 2:00 we have final interviews. That is the final, final, final hurdle to get home. Can't wait. I miss home and the rest of the family.

Lena has spent 7 summers in France and it shows

I cooked spaghetti for the kids tonight and Lena went to the store and came back with tomatoes and fresh mozarella in brine. SHe prepared it on her own and it was sooooo good.

Dads Big Dinner - almost like home

Spaghetti with sausage, mushrooms, peppers and some funky sauce that is kind of like home, but with a pound of sugar.

Kiev Temple

After going to the embassy today we went to the Kiev Temple open house. It was so beautiful and the people were so good to the kids and Natasha our translator. The chandelier in the celestial room was magnificent as always and the mirrors in the sealing room held the kids attention for about 10 minutes.

Kids and Shoe Protectors

They had kids place shoe protectors on Everybody’s shoes. They would not let you do it yourself. It was to show an act of kindness and respect. It was very cool.

Kiev Temple

Elder Monson

After the tour we were in the church next door eating a tart and some juice and in walks one of my sons good friends from Draper. I could tell that he was stunned to see me and then it finally sunk in. To his mom, Tina: He is happy and I took some video of him to show you next week. He had 3 baptismal interviews today and seems like he is really into the mission life. You can be proud of him.

Lena, Natasha, Pasha

This is in the central square in Kiev. The church in the background is over 1,000 years old and has only been maintained, not restored. The germans didn't bomb it becaue they used it for a luftwaffe landmark. Beautiful buildings in this city that was started in about 500 AD.

Had to get out of the heat

The thermometer on the care read 43c on Tuesday, which is something like 107 degrees. It was so hot and I knew the bowling alley was air conditioned. The is Lena's friend Tanya from the orphanage. The kids have this system that somehow they sneak out of the orphanage for about an hour an no one misses them. It reminds me of the old Hogans Heros shows where the americans came and went but always let the germans be in control. The day was non-stop visits by kids on the 1 hour filed trip. Pretty funny and lots of tears again.

More Orphans on the 1 hour unofficial visit

Two more 1 hour runaways " I know nothing"

We had some fun at the market by purchasing sunglasses for everybody. They all looked pretty cool.

Tears from Tanya ..another unofficial visit

Lena Sewing

I started to sew a button on Pashas shorts and Lena would have nothing of it. She said it was her job and she would take care if it and she did. Pretty cool!

Pasha - " Oh my Dad, Ipod is cool"

Well, my Ipod gets used every night by the kids. They love music and movies. It is kind of like fast sunday and it has been a long fast, so everything is great, fun and looks good. Fun to watch.

As Pasha said upon his first bite of peanut butter and honey, "OOOO La La" I guess that is how you spell it. Any way this has become a daily ritual now. It's that fast sunday syndrome.

Ok, we should finish up tomorrow and will be on a plane Saturday. We are suppose to arrive on Delta Airlines form JFK about 10:50 PM on Saturday night. If we can fly out friday, we may try. Will update tommorow. Temple was cool and to watch the kids gaze motionless into the sealing rooms mirrors was worth the entire trip to the Temple. What a great day.

2 more days! Oooo la la!!!!!!!!!

Ciao!