Sunday, December 2, 2007

Baby, it's cold outside!

We woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of snow and absolutely frigid air! It is KHOLODNA (cold)! I didn't think I could adequately describe the picturesque appearance of Artemovsk in the winter, so I decided to let it speak for itself. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

I always notice these pine trees when we walk by. . probably because they are in a group of 3 and I always take note of things in 3's



Rich enjoying the snow


This is one of my favorite market scenes. . . fresh flowers surrounded by snow and people bundled in their winter wear! It remind me that there is always a bright spot. . even on a seemingly dreary day!


The produce section of the open-air market


The entrance of the open-air market

Did I mention that it is cold!?!

The sign outside the baby house


Snow often gives a haunting effect to some of the old buildings and scenery


The "bones" of the market at the end of the day (taken yesterday, hence the absence of snow)

We had another wonderful day that included two more wonderful visits with Evan! He continues to make amazing progress with each and every visit. It really is incredible to witness the radical transformation that has occurred over the past two days. He is interacting with us so much more and we spend our entire visit laughing, smiling, singing, playing and giving lots of hugs and kisses. He has even learned a handful of English words! Before we left this evening he had learned the English word for his favorite thing in the world. . . .cookie! I cannot wait to get him home and watch him bloom!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the great photos -- brrr - we're having wintry weather here in Va, too, - rain with a little sleet -- maybe snow by mid week -- so I enjoyed your snow tour. And happy, happy news about Evan's rapport with you -- I'm so sorry that you must leave him for a little bit before returning to take him back to Ohio. does he know that you are his new Mommy and Daddy?

Love,Grandma DD

liesel said...

I hope you will post a video of Evan saying "cookie". How sweet. I would love to hear his sweet little voice. So you'll probably have all your kiddos HOME for Christmas...Yes? What a Christmas it will be!!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures Valerie! Not only is this going to bring you home a baby boy, it's also allowing you to explore another part of the world! I say this again, Evan is such a lucky little boy to be going home with you all very soon! Stay safe! Dawn

M said...

Those pictures are so pretty...thank you for sharing.

As for the progress with Evan...HOOORAY!!! You guys are going to be amazing parents to him.

Shelley said...

Wow...what a different scene from when we were there in the hot, hot, hot summer!!! Will you take a picture of the Lenin statue with the snow & post it for me???? I don't know why, but I was looking at your pictures and wondering what that big statue in the middle of the park looks like in the snow.
I'm glad Evan is making progress. "Cookie" is an important word....next he's going to have to learn
"more"....because "more cookie" is VERY important :)

Valerie said...

Shelley- I thought you might enjoy seeing Artemovsk in the winter (I would've loved to see it in the summer). I tried to post a picture of the Lenin statue last night, but for some reason it didn't upload right. We take a picture of that statue every time we walk by it! We have joked that we have more pictures of Lenin than we do of Evan! I will definitely post some of them for you!!!

adoptedthree said...

BRRR making me cold just thinking about the chilly Ukraine air!! You must have recognized Lenin on your own because every statue we would ask Masha about she would always shrug and say -oh I don't know!! She is awful at history- LOL!!