Just kidding. We didn't really go ice fishing...but we most certainly saw some ice fishermen! That is a first for me - and very cool!

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Let me answer just a couple questions before I go on and post pictures from the day.

First, there has been some question as to whether we will be able to post info about the little guy here. The answer is no. We can't post any identifying info about him - it would violate Russian law and could put our adoption in jeopardy. Now, we can probably tell you a tiny bit of information about what he looks like and we will give details about our experience tomorrow, but we won't be able to post his name or pictures of him until he is ours, officially (which is the 2nd trip).

Second, Kay, yes we love the Vlad Inn!! If anyone wants to see where we are staying, go to this website and look around. I think it would be neat to stay in a hotel that is not quite so "Western" - but this is a really nice place and almost all of the staff speaks English.

I think that about wraps up the questions I've had. Feel free to ask me anything & I'll try to answer it as best as I can!!

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On to today...we've had a fairly lazy day today. We got up and went to breakfast this morning...I had the most fabulous stuffed french toast (stuffed w/ ham & cheese) and Nathan ate a Frittata w/ sauteed olives, peppers, tomatoes, onion, and cream cheese. He says his was delicious, too!

After breakfast, we asked for directions to the beach. It's about a quarter-mile from here...and I'm not quite sure what I was expecting. I knew (hoped) the ocean would still be frozen but other than that, the picture I had in my head was of the beaches on the Emerald Coast. It was a dumb idea to think that's what it would be like!

After walking down the road a piece, we came to a railway station. We had to cross some railroad tracks and practically iceskate down a path to the entrance to a park. This park must be a sort of amusement park and I'd be very interested to know whether or not it's still functional in warmer months. It looks like it might've once been (or may still be?) a fun place for kids but it was completely covered in ice & snow. There was an ice skating rink that was also completely snowed over. I do have pictures from this park, but there are only so many pictures I can post, AND y'all have to have a reason to want to come see us when we get home! So I'll save those pictures, but in my mind's eye, I tried to imagine what the park would be like on a beautiful, sunny day when the weather is warmer.

From there, we iceskated down another path to the beach. Right now, the beach is pretty much a small strip of rocky mud. And then the water starts. Well, the frozen water, that is. Looking out into the distance, you can see ice fishermen - some are a little closer, but most are so far out that they look like tiny specks in the distance -- just big enough to be able to tell they're people.

Just because it's an experience we may never have again, we both went out and stood on the iced-over ocean water. Never fear, we didn't go very far - probably where the water were shin or knee deep at best. But what an interesting experience!

From there, we explored the park a little more and then came back for lunch. After lunch, we've just been hanging out. Since we are quite far from the city, we have not done much actual exploring of Vladivostok. But when we come back from visiting the orphanage, we'll have a day or so to go out if we want to. We shall see!

Tomorrow is the big day! We meet with the MoE in the morning, and from there, we drive the 2 1/2 or 3 hours to the orphanage. We are both unusually calm about this - I can't explain it! I'm sure the nerves will kick in tomorrow, but you'll have to tune in later to find out!

We'll be staying in the orphanage city -- I'm quite positive that we'll have an internet connection of some kind, but I can't promise a very speedy update. We'll do what we can when we have the time, though!!!

In the meantime, enjoy these pictures: