2007 03-16 Q&A with Russian guests

What a fun and worthwhile evening. Thank you so much to the folks who answered our many questions about life in Russia.

2007 01-19 Kolobok Puppet Show & Other Activities

2007 11-17 Entertainment by Casey Day

Gavin and Jaime make us a family

On April 21, 2000 we became a family. It was in the nick of time as our adoption was the last one before the region shut down for accreditation.

Gavin Viktor and Jaime Irina were in the Baby Home in Ussuriisk and we finalized our adoption in Vladivostok.

This was back in the days of one trip, so we traveled from Madison to Chicago to San Francisco to Seoul to Vladivostok and stayed on the American floor at the Hotel Vladivostok for 2 weeks before returning home via Los Angeles.

We met Gavin Viktor first. He greeted us with a big smile and batted his beautiful blue eyes at us and we were lost. At 9 1/2 months, he was a very calm baby who watched everything closely. His favorite activity during our first meeting was to grab handfuls of Dad's cheek.

Next, we met Jaime Irina. Her very full head of dark hair was matted to her head, but was nonetheless impressive for being only 6 1/2 months old. She was a little feverish, but still managed to energetically play with most of the toys we brought. Think of a tiny windmill!

Today on January 20, 2007, almost 7 years later, we enjoy rollicking good times with our oh-so energetic children and couldn't imagine life without them.