More things in Ukraine that make you go hmmmm.

We are in a routine now for the next 10 days of visiting everyday for two hours in the AM and two hours in the afternoon, so there won`t be much new stuff to report. Thought it may be a good time to show some more of the things here that are just plain different than we are used to. Briley is warming up a little more each day with us. She is young enough that we are sure she doesn`t grasp the whole adoption thing, but nevertheless she is starting to like being around us. It probably doesn`t hurt that she knows she can expect a cookie and some crackers everytime she sees us. We brought her a juice box today without even thinking that she might have never seen such a thing. She struggled at first but after a few dribbles she caught right on. Her given name is Oxanna which isn`t actually too bad, even sorta catchy. But we figured if she turns out to be heavier set that the "ox" part was a joke waiting to happen. Just kidding, we decided on Briley over a year ago.





This is Tory-age 6, one of the two main reasons we are ready to be back home. .





This is Tory with his head down, ready to race!!This is Collin our oldest boy, age 9. Reason #2 we want to get home.Collin also eats, sleeps and breathes racing all summer long. He is our Mr. Smooth.This is Babushcka Judy and the boys. Without Grandma Judy and Grandpa Kenny taking care of the boys, we wouldn`t have been able to come to UkraineWe were at a mall with John and Charlene from Kentucky when all of a sudden music was blaring, people were crowding around the red carpet, and red ropes were getting strung up with a lot of security looking guys. We thought great, we are going to see some dignitaries or some celebrities. The music reached a crescendo, the crowd was going wild and then.............OUT MARCHED OF ALL THINGS............DUCKS!!!!!!! I thought I had led a sheltered life but sheesh, give me a break!Charlie Brown lives in Ukraine and heres the proof- his Christmas treeIn Ukraine the cars are so small they don`t use a tow truck in our sense. They just pull up alongside with a little crane and hoist away. No bull, this is how they do it.They do value their meats here. Notice the anti-theft thingy on the sausage.Fish is really popular at the markets here. Here`s the fresh cleaned fish.Fresh carp, and Gail thought it was walleye she had been eating. Notice the price-25 gryivna (about $3.00). I could retire if I sold the carp in Geneva Lake at that price.Don`t like the whole fish?- not a problem, just buy the heads.Pick out the milk to drink. Took us three tries before we found one to drink.Good selection of fruit juices here. Mostly boxed and non -refridgerated.Like your fish fresh? Not a problem- take your pick, carp or catfish.Bagged ice cream. (we think :) )Wonderful selection of beer!!!I thought 9000 miles away from home would stop the antique bug. WRONG!!Elvis Lives!!!!And last but not least. Our new little one!!!!!And one more with Mama Gail. HOPE YOU ENJOYED!! Thanks for checking in. Gail and Craig