Snow

The other night we were headed to the Ministry Center and then to the Whitney's for dinner. We took the girls in the sled and set out around 5:00pm...did you know it is already getting dark? (side note: In the morning the sun doesn't come up until 9:30-10am!) There is a school next to the bus stop close to our house. As we were heading to the bus stop, we encountered a group of students from the school...on cross country skies! They were having lessons for school. Talk about a fun physical education class, right?! Sorry the picture is blurry, but I was trying to discreetly take the picture, while holding Adalynn, while having the camera in night vision setting (if I had the other camera it would have been better, but I don't think I could have taken a picture very discreetly!)
We got off at the second bus stop and found that the Christmas/New Year lights were still up! (picture above) Adalynn loved the lights and kept saying, "It's like at Grandpa and Grandma's house!"

Below is a picture of Gwen in the stroller our field directors let us borrow. This is a little more of a winter stroller than ours. The wheels are a little better at plowing through the snow, though it is still hard if the snow is too deep.

She looks warm and cozy, right?

Adalynn's friend Sophia has returned!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Snow

Looks like someone is actually enjoying the snow!

This morning we took a walk to the place where we can put money on our phones. Phones here are like the pay and go phones in America. We just put 100rubles ($3) on our phone and we are set to go for about a week, sometimes more if one of us gets chatty talking on the phone. Anyway, my phone had no money, so I could not send or receive any calls or messages. We bundled the girls up, retrieved the sled out of the closet, and away we went!

On our way home, we stopped by the playground and Adalynn actually got out of the sled and walked in the snow! I think she liked that the snow was just fluffy and crunchy as apposed to slippery and wet like the other day. Adalynn played on the swing, went down the slide, and threw snow up in the air...and in her face...accidentally of course!

Our family is feeling back to normal. Everyone is better and nights are getting better...Gwen is still not quite adjusted, but Adalynn is going to bed at 7:30pm and sleeping until 8:30am without waking up!

Thanks for you prayers! We hope to begin language lessons again in a week! We better get reviewing!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

The Outdoors

We ventured outside today...just to get out...and to have a good reason to get dressed for the day! (kidding...I think)

It hasn't been too cold here yet. Still in the 30's F, which has been nice, though the ground is slushy and wet!

We also saw someone cleaning/beating their rug outside...I just remember this picture from a book I read when I was little. I suppose it is a good way to clean your rug without a sweeper...or a good way to get tension out from too much family over the holidays. I am not sure which reason this guys was outside... (picture below)

We just went to the store across the street. The whole family went. We bundled every up, Russian style, and headed out. Yesterday (Christmas here in Russia), Philip went out for the afternoon to join our church for a Christmas dinner with all the small "churches". He said it was a good time. He also had a chance to meet some new people who have been coming. I stayed home with the very tired children:)

Here is Gwen dress warmly for the outside. When we got inside, I took her hat off and she was sweating. Poor girl.

This girl did NOT like walking in the snow/slush. DID NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT. I was sorry to inform her that this her new life. We had some crying break downs on the way to and from the store because of the snow...it ended up being kind of a long trip. But we did get some butter for what we needed, which of course was one of the most important things of the day...a birthday cake for later!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen