I realized that I'm feeling hindered in writing updated blogs because I still haven't finished writing about our summer. I fear I have already forgotten important things, but I went and searched through pictures to trigger my memory. Of course, there are many things I didn't capture in photos, but all the same, I will officially call our summer "documented" after this one. =) Then I can begin to write more about the present.
We enjoyed celebrating the Buryat "Noch Yohora". Many people from all over Buryatia came in their traditional clothes and performed danced and songs in native Buryat.
There were other native people groups represented, too, like this lady from the Evenki (reindeer herding) people. She led everyone in a national dance.
cute little boys with their ice cream
We ate local foods from little stands
We always enjoy occasions to learn more about Buryat culture and to grow in our appreciation and in prayer for these beautiful people.
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While they were here, the younger of the girls went "mushroom hunting". Yulia taught Ella this summer which mushrooms are safe to pick, and it became a bit of a hobby for her. These girls were sure proud of their finds!
Ella and her friend have been wanting me to meet her friend's mom for a long time. Her mom works long hours and is often not home. But when she had a week off from work, we took an afternoon to take the girls to the local industrial pond and get to know one another.
Us moms enjoyed the time as well as the girls! Hopefully it will be the start of a friendship for our families!
The night before the Idaho/Montana team arrived, we had a flood! Poor Irene. The water was pouring down into the room where she and the kids were staying. Thankfully when it happened, the kids were in the room but still awake. We had a second flood the morning we left for English Club on Baikal (from another source) and another (from another source!) while we were gone! Thankfully everyone worked together and we got things fixed. Shawn, from Idaho, helped Leif fix one of the big leaks after the camping trip. He helped us with other needed tasks around the house, too. What a blessing!!
Summers here are short, so we try to maximize opportunities to be outside! Our small group continued to meet throughout the summer, but we also had times (like this day) where we invited friends and neighbors to come and hang out with us. We enjoyed a picnic by the river with roasted meat.
Anneka loved watching after her little buddy. I think his mom appreciated it!
We sang songs of praise to God. This was interesting for some who weren't Christians, but I think they enjoyed it all the same.
This wasn't our entire group, but it shows the beautiful view of the river with Ulan-Ude in the background.
Ella and this friend were practically inseparable all summer. They were the resident bakers and my kitchen helpers.
Our new friend, Nastia, invited Irene and me to a night that was put on by her dance school. It was fun to get out together. This is the orthodox church all lit up in the background.
We arrived kind of late, so we missed people from the dance school performing with live music. But we still enjoyed the evening, and Irene and Nastia both danced.
Ike's yellow shoes looked like this almost every day.
an afternoon with my friend, Ira
Father's Day
Puppies, puppies,everywhere!!
These are neighbor dogs, but they follow us wherever we go (both walking and in the car). Once two dogs ran all the way to the airport with Nettie and ran INSIDE! Another time, one of the dogs ran onto the bus after me. So embarrassing!!
Ella, teaching her pupils (all boys!)
Ike on a hike
(with a new missing tooth!!)
sweet sisters by the fountain
The neighbor kids were always in our yard and always doing something creative. I liked to look out the window at their antics.
Leif, working up to get the campsite prepared .
And lots of continued work in our house. This day they made baseboards. I'm very happy about this because things used to always fall from the second floor to the first floor, but now there is a bit of a barrier. =)
Leif also did work on two neighborhood playgrounds. This one is half a block from our house and won't be completed until next spring.
This one is about 1.5 blocks away and is completed now. The kids love playing here, and it's a place where neighbors come together. I love how it was a neighborhood project from the start, to put it together, and it is a gathering place that continues.
The finished new playground!
Some neighbors set up a volleyball net, and we joined in several impromptu games in the late evening.
We love how Andrew encouraged music in our home. We sang many songs of praise with him here and it's something we try to continue, as it's good for our souls!
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| singing late at night |
One day it rained so hard that our car literally sank into the ground and wouldn't budge! Thankfully, a neighbor came by and helped Leif to get it out!!
We met Masha and her son on that rainy day at an indoor play place. It was nice for Irene to connect with her, as they have met before.
Anneka and her friend, Christina, opened up their very own spa this summer. They have a price list (very resonable!) and take clients.
Here, they were giving Gramma Irene a manicure and pedicure.
We completed insulating our foundation for winter.
We said goodbye to sweet Naomi, as she flew off to Romania for college.
These little boys saw us walking with corn that Yulia had given us one day. They went to Yulia's house to ask for corn (they'd never tried it!) and then brought it to me to ask them to prepare it for them. So funny and cute!
