Dear Benjamin

It has been almost two weeks since we last saw your cute chubby checks or heard you babble. I know you will be home with us soon. I look at your pictures daily and talk about you to everyone. I dream of the moment that I see you again in the airport, and get to hold you and introduce you to your big brother Nolan. Daddy and I miss you a lot, and we know in the end this time apart will be worth it.

Finally home again

We are home!!!!!! We got in last night after 48 hours and 4 flights!

I have posted more pictures in a couple of different albums on Kodak Gallery. I still have more to upload in the next couple of days.

www.kodakgallery.com/littlefamily

Embassy Visit Complete

Today we went to the US Embassy to completed some paperwork , so that Ben will be able to come home . He estimated arrival date into the US is either the end of Feb. or the first week of March. Security at the Embassy was very tight and we were escorted everywhere, never left alone. It was wonderful to be able to speak to an American.

To celebrate having completed all of our paperwork we went to the biggest mall here in Almaty called the MEGA, were we found real American food. There was a sabaro pizza and a KFC. We ate pizza and KFC (chicken only). KFC of course did not have the great biscuts, or any of the wonderful sides, but it was a taste of home.

We are currently in the Almaty Kazakhstan airport waiting for our flight. We should be home Tuesday at 6pm. Mike and I are discussing who gets to hug Nolan first! I have told Mike I will push him down to get to Nolan first.

In talking with our translator today that people usually only go out to eat a couple of times a year. Which explains why the resturants are never busy, she said they are just to expensive for people.

Okay this really is my last post from Kazakhstan, see you all back in the states!

Last Day in Kazakhstan!

Last night we went to the other "American " resturant. Everyone in Kazakhstan thinks Americans are all cowboys, this place was also a cowboy theme. It did have American type food, and was outragous priced. Serious a T-bone stake was $75, and no Mike did not eat it. They did have cheese sticks and we at those and some chicken fingers, it was all really good. For an American place they still did not serve ice or cold drinks. Mike did order lemonade and after he took the first slip the look on his face was priceless. It was made with tonic water and not what he expected.

We did almost try another place to eat they had an English menu. We review all menu's before sitting down and this place offered horse meat. While I am sure we have unknowing eaten horse in the last 3 weeks, it is not something we were interested in again.

This afternoon we are headed to the Embassy and then to the airport.

We need everyone's good thoughts for a safe trip home and on time flights.

See y'all soon.

Saw a lot today

We went the mountains today, which are very similar to the mountain in Utah and Colorado. They were snow capped and amzaing. We saw the ice rink were hockey and ice skating competitions took place in Soviet times. Then we went to independence statue, just amazing. Then we went to the history meusum (only $1 to get in), we saw the bottom two floors and tomorrow we will see the top two floors.

For lunch we did find an american resturant with an english menu. I ordered chicken fingers ( not cooked in the American way) with fries. The food came out and some dipping sauses came as well. There was a red one that we thought was similar to BBQ, so Mike asked for his favorite Katcup and it was the stuff we thought was BBQ sause. Opps. Live and Learn.

The cowboy resturant from last night was great. Mike had steak and I had chicken the portions were huge. I ordered a side of "baked potato covered in cheese". What I got was a layer of potato, pickles and then melted cheese. Where did the pickle come from, not that great.

Tomorrow afternoon we go the US Embassy, then ate and hang out for a while and then head back to the airport. Our flight leaves Tuesday at 4AM (Kazakhstan time). This will most likley be my last post until we get back in the states.

Amazing Race Fans

Well amazing race fans, Mike and I did the amazing race pit stops today. We walked to the bazar and found where they picked up their flag. It was great, they even posed for pictures for us. Then we made our way to the check in point.

We saw the most interesting chuch today and a wedding.

By the way at the supermarket (their version) Mike got excited when he saw a bag of American beef jerky (brand he has bought before). He was thrilled , until he noticed the bag ( a small bag) was $30.00. Yes, you read that correctly $30 for beef jerky, needless to say it is still at the store.

We found a fast food place called "Burger House", we ate chicken nuggets. They were different but ok. The fries were good. The pictures showed coke (fountain drink) with ice. I got all excited just to find out the ice is only for pictures.

Here in Almaty were do not stand out as much. We have learned why we get so many looks, our coats are North Face and Columbia , which we found out are $300 plus coats here . Even though everyone wears fur we still get looks.
Quote of the trip - Ice is slippery when frozen

Almaty

It is Saturday afternoon here in Almaty. We have changed our airline tickets and we will head home on Tuesday morning arrived back in WONDERFUL Asheville at 6pm.

Our hotel is right in front of the Ballet house, very beautiful. We are going to walk to the bazar this afternoon. This morning Mike hit me with a snow ball when we found the Kazakhstan "pitstop" (amazing race watchers will understand), I have pictures do not worry.

We found an American resturant "Stetson" , yes just like the hat, it is a cowboy themed place....this should be interesting.

Tomorrow we are going to see the mountains and Monday we go to the Embassy.

Yes, we slept in the box spring bed but it is horrible!!! Expensive and horrible. Can I come home now.