A Special Opportunity

      Our friends who own a hostel on Lake Baikal invited us out as guests AGAIN to their place!  I ran into Ira at the grocery store, when she happened to be in town just for a couple of hours.  She was so warm and sweet and invited us out.  We, of course, were happy to have the opportunity to get more time with them... and in a beautiful place!  Before we went, we spent a couple of hours to celebrate Leif for Father's Day.  He's such a good Papa for our kids!!



      Even though our friends are very busy with their businesses (they own a store, too!), they took time to be with us and were so hospitable!

     Alexei even took us for a boat ride.  Normally it would have been very cold, but it was PERFECT during the time we were on the water.  Soon after, it turned quite cold.  We felt blessed by this window of time and how it all worked out!

 

        We ate meals together.   Alexei's friend from 1st grade was with us, too.  We had great discussion and enjoyed the time together.  Our kids played with two of the kids there, too.



     Before heading back the next day, we spent a few hours as a family on the beach.  It was quite a bit cooler this day!

     Anneka and I stayed on the beach and read a book together while Leif, Ella, and Ike went exploring.  They found a guy who worked in the lighthouse who let them go up to the top!  Of course, this was quite special!

     Then we headed back, as we had an exam to prepare for the next day- Russian language, history, and law.  The kids all slept while I quizzed Leif and learned along with him.  =)  More on that soon...