Our trip in photos, Part 1

As you know, we went to Odessa to celebrate Thanksgiving with Will's sister. First we had a long train ride to get there. Usually we have done night trains; this was day AND night. It was fun, though. We spent the time. . .

Coloring Thanksgiving pictures

Making Thanksgiving crafts

Eating
running off that food, and finally sleeping.

Then we got to Tyotya Anna. We had a nice quiet day with her.

She painted Raia's fingernails.

The next day we celebrated Thanksgiving.

We had a wonderful meal and time of fellowship, hosted by a couple Anna serves with.

Story time with our host

Raia was covering her nose, because John was holding his nose to make a funny voice. I took the photo just a moment too late to catch that.

A real sword!

Tyotya Anna with our girls

Zhenya with Jaan

Zhenya used to come to Russia to work at summer camps with us. I really don't think Jaan could remember him from that, but Jaan sure likes Zhenya!

Memories of my childhood

I had to take this photo, because my grandmother always had olives at special meals, and we always put them on our fingers.

Sweet baby Misha

Raia and Asya and I were thrilled that there was a baby at the Thanksgiving celebration! We all enjoyed him, and I loved talking to his mother, too. (I don't know what Raia was doing to Misha when I took this photo. Looking for teeth in his mouth?)

Most of the group

This was after Misha and his parents left. We celebrated Thanksgiving with most of Anna's team, plus a visiting teacher and his wife.

And that's just the beginning of our visit! We had a great Thanksgiving, and then there were a few more days of fun with Anna. That will be Part 2. . . .