Visitors!

Our teammates, the Wickers, made the long drive down from Alberta to see us and meet baby Ella. It was so wonderful to see them and to connect on this side of the world. It was nice, too, for them to get to know my family more and for my family to know them better. Anneka and I decorated the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk to welcome them properly. Anneka wanted me to trace her body and for her to trace me. Apparently she recently did this with my mom. =)




The first day the guys and Anneka went to the park while us girls went shopping. Clothing prices are a lot cheaper here than in Canada. This is a special goat that works like a vacuum cleaner and eats garbage. On a side note, Ella's social security card came in the mail that day, so Leif and I were able to send off for her passport that morning. We're praying for speedy processing so that we can begin on her other paperwork to get to Russia.








John and Anneka went down the big slide at Riverfront park that looks like a wagon.



What fun!



Ella likes her new friends.



Anneka has been talking about Heidi all summer. At last they were reunited!




Sisters dressed like twins. A little bit of a forced smile here. =)


My dad made a dinner in the dutch oven outside and we hung out in lawn chairs, camping-style.



I asked Sharon to take Ella into the evening light (it was already past 8:00pm, so the rays weren't strong) for just a few minutes to help with some of her jaundice. I think she was happy to help!



Group picture! Notice that Anneka, Ella and I were dressed as triplets. =)





Heather Ann cuddling with Ella. I love it when she has the forehead wrinkles.




Anneka was SO happy to play with Matthew!



We had fun playing bocce ball. It was so great to enjoy this time together. Thanks for making the big trek here, John, Sharon, Heather Ann, Matthew, and Heidi! We love you!