Tuesday..day two....Stickers and bubbles and hugs

Today we took Daniel a book of stickers - all types of stickers that he had to peel off and placeover the correct silhoutte. He loves cars and big trucks and airplanes, and he was able to place them all in the correct locations. What we originally thought would be just one set of stickers, cars, turned into two more sets. Heloves stickers. We spent over an hour with airplanes, and big trunks, and "machinaca", AKA in America as cars.

He also enjoyed the bottle of blow bubbles. He made lots of bubbles and giggled a lot when he caught them or smashed 'emwith his hands. we also played kick ball and catch with a bouncy ball. He loved playing with the ball and was proud of his abilities to kick and catch. He did very good and never seemed to run out of energy.

We did take a snack for him and us - a banana. They are a special treat here, and many of our new adoptivefamily friends recommended that we take some to the orphanage. He loved that too. And we loved getting a couple of hugs when weleft him each time today.

Oh yes, there at the top...that's our first photo of the three of us. Daniel in fact says "we" when he looks at the pictures of the three of us.

Editor's note....fortunately I had a chance us some of this blogspot stuff from America...where it all appeared in English. Yet, now all I see are Kazakh letters. The format is the same, but the words sure aren't. If there are any savy world travelers reading this, please let us know if we can turn the English back on. TIA

Our first visit to the Orphanage

Monday evening here in Oskemen, Kazakhstan. What a day...first we had some documents notarized, then to a government agency, and then finally to the orphanage to meet the director and were introduced to three boys.

Then we went back in the afternoon to visit one on one with Daniel. He is five and has lots of energy and seems very active, polite, and courteous. Tho' we were not speaking Russian, nor was he understanding English, we were able to communicate - thanks in big part to our translator, Ilena. We played frisbee and climbed up and down the playground equipment. Daniel was very proud of his ability to climb up and around and over and jump...wore us out just watching him....LOL LOL.

We also sat down and looked at book that had some pictures. It was amazing how he came up with a story for each one....the bear in the cage, the people left at the dock by the big boat, and the like. Starting on Tuesday, we will be visiting with him twice a day...10-12 in the AM, and then 4-5 in the afternoon. This is our schedule for each day, except Sunday...that is only one morning visit.

We are very excited to have found Daniel and look forward to the days and weeks ahead to see him and bond more and more everyday.

Thanks for all your posts and prayers.

Becky and Steve.....pinching ourselves that in Kaz' we can.

Sunday Noon in Oskemen...aka Ust

After four airport...Ohare...Frankfurt....Almaty....Oskemen....We have arrived.

We made it without a hitch...and without much sleep either...probably like 10 hours total between us for the three days. We are still alive and kicking...We are at Shiny River...very nice hotel. Not the Isrtsych as we originally planned.

Beautiful day...fall leaves...a lot Chicago and the Heartland should be at this time of year.

Becky and Steve

October 12... Kaz bound today

Greetings one and all,

We can hardly believe it...in a matter of hours (approx. 36 hours from now as we are still home...last minute stuff - like this blogspot) we will be in Kaz, and Monday we'll be at the orphanage in Oskemen. We are excited and ready to go.

Please check in from time to time. We'll try to get on daily and post some information on our adventure....of a life time.

Love, Becky and Steve