Happy Anniversary

Twelve months ago this week, Bo and Ellie became brother and sister. Mike and Michelle became Mommy and Daddy. And the whole crazy lot of us became a family. We celebrated our family day anniversary by having dinner at the Russia House (of course) on Thursday. The kids feasted on Olivie Salad, Russian Pork Lion and Beef Stroganoff. They also tried Sprite for the first time. The food was a big hit, but the fizz in the soda failed to impress.

Last night, we continued the party by taking the kids to Sesame Street Live at the Murat Theatre. We thought they'd be too young to really enjoy this kind of thing, but a friend gave us the tickets, so we gave it a go. Elmo got the party started at 7 p.m. and the kids didn't stop smiling and bouncing around until the curtain dropped a few hours later. You have to question the wisdom of having a 15 minute intermission with a bunch of two year olds in the audience, but the show was a big hit overall.

Be well.

Family Day Dinner

Going for a Walk

Slim Shady

Road Rage

Good Kids

At this time last year, we were in Russia becoming a family. There are lots of ways to describe our experience, but the phrase we use most often is, "we hit the jackpot." That rings true on so many levels.

For starters, Bohdan Sergei and Eliana Inna both have birthmothers who cared about them and brought them into the world. The kids also had orphanage directors and nurses who took care of them. These special people...Stas, Claudia, Svetlana and many more we'll never know by name...all made sure Bo and Ellie had the love and attention they needed at an early age. And it was clear that they all had a deep affection for the kids. From the pictures that follow, you can just tell that Bo and Ellie were loved while living in their orphanages.

Then, Bo and Ellie came into our lives and blessed us in so many ways. Sure, they are little rascals lots of the time, but they are also two of the sweetest and most loving kids you'll find anywhere on the planet. They are the joy of our lives and as Forest Gump would say, "we go together like peas and carrots".

All Smiles Before

All Smiles After

All Smiles Before

All Smiles After