ONE YEAR!!!!

It's hard to believe, but it's been one year since the Lord blessed our family with Yulia Nicole Barry! Saturday, September 6th, was the one year anniversary of our courtdate. She officially became a U.S. Citizen September 20th when the plane touched down in Chicago, but we decided we'd pick one date and stick with it.






First visit to Russia, August 2006.














Second trip to Russia, September 2007.














September 2008, with our friend "Bud", the Clydesdale.
















July 2008 with Jon and his fiancee, Ashley.















With Big Sis, Colyn, in June 2008.













Yulia will never realize how much prayer and heartache went into the two years of trying to get her here. It's amazing how quickly she's picking up on Americanisms. She told me today she wants Rock Star for Christmas, along with a Nintendo Game Boy. She's riding the bus everyday and is doing well in the 5th grade.

Her comprehension is about 80%. We are going to Disney World in October. We went to Disney on Ice today for the one year celebration. On the way to today's performance, she asked me if there were going to be roller coasters there.(At Disney on Ice) I told her no, there would be ice skating. She said, "But Mom, I can't ice skate." The fun never ends.

GRANT'S FARM - Part 1

It was a gorgeous day here in St. Louey today, with highs in the 80s. So, we headed out to Grant's Farm, owned by Anheiser Busch(like everything else in the city. Word is all the free stuff will be closing down now that AB has been bought out, so we thought we best take advantage.


The day starts with a tram ride through the farm. It is beautiful land. This is where they film many of the Bud commercials with the Clydesdales. Grant received this land as a wedding gift before he was president and later sold it to the Busch family.





We had heard this place was better than the zoo. You can get really close to the animals.

Later in the day, we saw these turtles mating! That was a sight. We have pictures if anyone's interested.










They have 3 bald eagles. They are unable to fly anymore and are kept here for safety.













Dad(yes, we've gone from Pop to Dad) told Yulia not to get too close to the camels or they might spit on her.

GRANT'S FARM - The Clydesdales

The second part of the day we crossed the parking lot to where they keep the Clydesdales. This is the facility where they're' actually bred and trained. Horses here range in age from 3-12 years.











We've seen the Clydesdales at the Budweiser Brewery in downtown St. Louis before, but never up so close.

These horses loved being petted. Even looked like they were posing for pictures!











Yulia's not afraid of horses, like her Mom!















Have a great Labor Day!

Arturo Visits!

We had a wonderful surprise this weekend. Arturo C. came by for a visit.

The C. Family is relocating to the Rochester area and he was driving the family van up north before they all make the flight next weekend.











We only had about 12 hours with him, but were able to introduce him to some Missouri wines and fruit pies. Yum!





Yulia has been back to school since August 13 so we're officially into the swing of things. Hope everyone's having a great fall!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Back to school Wednesday for Ms. Yulia. She'll be repeating the 5th grade at a new school. This is the school she should have attended last year, but didn't because of a clerical error.

We're not complaining, though. Last year's teacher was awesome!.

Yulia and our neighbor waiting for the first-ever bus ride!!







Yulia could not believe I was actually taking a picture of her boarding the bus. She refused to face the camera and smile.



















Before Paul's Mom died, we went to the St. Louis Children's Science Center.

I thought I had posted these pictures, but never did.




































This was so cool. A lasar harp! We both had a
good time playing it.











Hope everyone's doing well. The weather's great here. Lows in the upper 50s-lower 60s. Today's high was 82. Very nice.

Are we the only ones, or are the Olympics killing you guys? We're really enjoying the games and can't go to sleep for watching. Oh well, just a few more days. Go USA!!!

BLESSINGS

As most of you know, Paul's mom, Kitty died July 26th. The services were held in Texas. For those of you who've been through the death of a parent, it's very hard. But, there are always blessings.



It was awesome to see how Kitty's six children came together. The family spent several days sitting around the house, visiting and reminiscing about the old days. What a blessing to have such great memories!

We got a chance to spend a lot of time with Paul's sister and brother in law from California. We had a wonderful time visiting with them. Yulia had never met either one of them. It was also a great chance to visit with all of Kitty's grandchildren(our nieces and nephews).

Although it was hard to say goodbye to Kitty, she had been suffering so since her hospital admission in early June. She had been struggling with her breathing and just seemed to feel miserable. Several days before she died she told one of her children, "I don't know why I'm fighting this so hard. I know where I'm going when I die. I'll get to see Hank(her husband) and all my other family when I get to Heaven." What a wonderful blessing and legacy to leave for one's children.

Lake

On the way back from Texas, we stopped in Oklahoma to visit with my sister's family at the lake.

Here's Skipper Pablo!









Debbie's stepson Troy in the middle, with his girlfriend.













Yulia with Aunt Debbie's dogs.