Getting Ready for Bed...

Gideon, ME, and Scooby-Do!!!

Mary Elizabeth

M.E. is enjoying a gorgeous day outside! Her advice, "Take a minute to stop and smell the flowers---just don't eat them!"

Need Water?

Not everyone has the "modern" convenience of indoor, running water. Some people in Russia must go to a public water well to get water and carry it in buckets to the house. Jill and Anna Skinner get water to wash the dishes. Thanks guys for being such servants!!!

A Day at the Docha

Our team spent the day at the docha, or cabin. Many Russians have family dochas were they spend weekends and summers and grow big vegetable gardens. We had a fabulous time of fun, fellowship, and lots of food!!! The kids really had a great time being together and playing outside. The Team Golden Ring Missionary Kids (MKs) are Sarah Skinner (15), Christian (9), Gideon (4), Mary Elizabeth (1), and Anna Skinner (12).

Yaroslavl City Day

Yaroslavl celebrated 997 years this past weekend. We really enjoyed the festivities. We joined the crowds walking along the Volga River, listening to singers, watching people play games. The funniest was one guys attempt at riding a mechanical bull---he held on to the bull's ears! We love Yaroslavl!!! Check-out our online photo album at www.the4sullivans.photosite.com to see more pictures.

Bath Time...

More Fun on the Playground

This week, we have made frequent visits to the playground. The weather has been wonderful and everyone is outside. Even though, we have been to the playground many times, no one has spoken to us---stared at us, but not spoken to us. I did notice, however, no one really speaks to others. At one point, there were 8 families at the playground and no one was talking! Occasionally, groups will gather, but they seem to be long time friends, not merely acquaintances. Please pray that we would be able to meet our neighbors and share the love of Christ with them.

A Day in the Lives of the Sullivans...

All of our guests have gone (16 days out of 21 days we have had guests), so now there is not much to write about. This week life for the Sullivan family returned to normal. Gideon returned to preschool and has had a difficult time saying good-bye to mommy. He says he likes playing outside and is learning new Russian words everyday. M.E. usually spends the mornings with her nanny, but she got to join the family on Tuesday, when Era had to cancel at the last minute. She enjoyed playing on the playground at Gideon's school and having lunch with mommy and daddy. Kristie and Keith are enjoying working out and watching the TV seris 24. This picture was taken at our apartment's playground.

The Crash...

Progress is being made...

Yesterday, I (Kristie) ran a 5 K in 35 minutes!!! It was the first time I ran the whole way!!! I was so excited!!! Today, Keith ran it in 32 minutes---also a first for him.

I also drove our car down our street and parked! The majority of the cars in Russia are standards and I have never driven a stick shift before, but have attempted several times! I am on my way to driving independence!!!

Gideon went to preschool (after a 3 week break) and did not cry when we said our good-byes!!! I was really proud of him. Gideon is doing better on his bicycle, but has a hard time focusing and staying up right! We are always giving him a push or helping him back up.

M.E. is on the move! She has mastered walking and works hard to keep up with her big brother. She loves her tricycle and has been on two family bike outings.

A Family Biking Adventure

Congratulation Kyle Doss!!!

Kyle Doss, Keith's nephew, is graduating from Onate High School today in Las Cruses, New Mexico! Congratulations Kyle! We are proud of you! We wish we could be there!!!

Meet Era

Era is Mary Elizabeth's nanny. She is wonderful! She takes M.E. on walks, make her yummy meals, gives her baths and massages (she is also a professional massagist!) and helps mommy with the ironing and cleaning. She ia a wonderful blessing to our family!

Good-bye Nastiya!

This week, our friend Nastiya came to visit us. Nastiya is from Ivanovo, but is studying in Moscow at RACU, Russian American Christian University. We had a great time sight-seeing, catching-up, and eating!!! Thanks Nastiya for coming to visit us and playing with Gideon!!! This picture was taken on the Yaroslavl beach.

Family Fun

This week, we went walking along the bank of the Volga. Gideon had a fun time walking with his sister.

Mary Elizabeth's New Tricycle!

Mary Elizabeth finally got a tricycle. We looked for over a month for a good pink tricycle and found one with a canopy, music and toys. Gideon has enjoyed pushing her around the living room in it and can't wait to go bike riding with his sister! M.E. wants to say "Thanks Granny for my tricycle!!! I love it!"

4 Hours Later...

4 hours later there is already trash again!

The Entrance to Our Apartment

This is the entrance to our apartment. I was so shocked when we left this morning to see it clean!!! On both sides of the door, for months, there has been piles of trash. Every time we came home, I would be so annoyed by the trash. I am so excited it is clean!!!

Uglich

Uglich is about 1 ½ hours west of Yaroslavl and is the home to around 35,000 people. Uglich is located on the Volga River, where the river makes a sharp turn or ugol, in Russian. We enjoyed touring the Kremlin with our friend, Dima, who is a native to Uglich. M.E. especially enjoyed being a part of our fun family outing and loved the doll museum we were able to tour.