Three siblings finally reunited

First of all..........BRAYDEN GOT A BATH..........YAY!!!!!!! :)  And he was in fresh clean clothes!!!!

Saturday we got all 3 of our kids together for the first time.  They played really well together!  So far there has been no fighting, but I know that will come in time. All 3 children are completely different in the way they act, but they all look so much alike. We have had them together 2 times now and so far they pretty much do their own thing.  Except for when we do things like play chase, or kicking a soccer ball around.  Hey, at the rate we're going, we'll have enough for our own soccer team in a few years :) JUST KIDDING!!!!

Yesterday, Abigail fell down and she was trying so hard not to cry.  She was fighting itback with all that she had, but when Chris picked her up and cuddled with her, she let it out a little.  It was so sad, but it was neat to see Brayden's reaction to her getting hurt......you could tell it bothered him really bad.  Oh, and Brayden is calling Dina, Abigail now :)  Well, most times, but we have noticed that when he doesn't call her Abigail, he calls her "Dinka" I think it is sortof like a pet name?  Alyssa is still calling Abigail "Dina".  She says she likes it better :)  It is cute how Abigail and Brayden pronounce Alyssa's name. Brayden calls her "Aleesa" and Abby calls her"Ally-Issa" It is just their accents. Their accents are very cute...........Brayden calls himself "Brayden" but rolls the "R" in his name :)  I also noticed that instead of Sergey, his friends and caretakers call him:"Sarosha"??  Maybe another pet name??

Alyssa has mastered a few things since we have been in Ukraine.  She has learned to play the gameboy VERY WELL and can beat boards on Donkey Kong that I can't even beat.  She is pullup free now! Hallelujiah!!!! I will still put them on her on the overnight train and the airplane though (just in case). And most importantly, she has learned to tie her shoes!!!!!!!  She is so proud of herself, and we are so proud of her as well :)  She has been such a trooper while here and has not complained about the 400 miles that we walk each day. Well, she complained the first day until Mommy had a long talk with her telling her that basically she had no choice and this is how it was going to be for a while.  Since then, pretty much the only thing she used to complain about is sitting in the internet cafe for so long...........that is when the mastering of the gameboy took place :)  Now, she looks forward to the internet cafe :) 

As far as court, we will have court on Thursday at 2pm.  Please pray that it goes smoothly and again, that we'll be able to get Abigail and Brayden for the 10 day wait. 

I almost forgot..........2 days ago, we climbed a mountian that is in the middle of the city.  There are steps that go all the way to the top. We has themost beautiful view from up there looking down on the town and at the sea.  We are posting pictures of that along with apicture of Chris and Alyssa riding a horse, Alyssa riding a power wheel 4-wheeler, Alyssa riding on Papa's backpack, and a few of the children. 

We are having fun, but we are VERY ready to come home!

Let me say to 2 little girls out there.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! Kylee and Madison, I hope you had wonderful birthdays and I am sorry that we missed them.  Alyssa had a great birthday, we asked her on that day, if she could do anything for her birthday what would it be, and she said "Eat ice cream"  :) LOL!! So, we walked to the store and bought her an ice cream and she was very happy :)  Also, Sveta,our translator, got her a gift. She bought her some cute hair clips and bows and a card.  That was very thoughtful of her.  On my birthday, Sveta got me a very pretty red wallet and nail polish. 

OK, I gotta go now, need to check our comments and e-mails.

Only 3 more visits to the orphanage to go!!! YAY!!!!!

Love,

Chris, Julie, Brayden, Abigail and Alyssa