Today we attended the wedding of a young couple from our church – Kolya and Lena. Unexpectedly I got roped into opening the door for the bride to come in for her wedding march. I am not sure that this young couple were listening a great deal the pastor as he spoke they keep looking at one another and smiling. We dropped off our kids at a friend’s house which was a blessing and made for a quiet enjoyment of this lovely event.

The cutest bride in the world. SMILE!

The kiss after the pronouncement of being man and wife.

The young couple proudly walking the aisle after having taken their vows.

The local ship building yard is holding a large exhibition in hopes to sign ship making deals. As one of the attractions the Russian navy is out this week flying in an air show. The actual show is on Sunday, but I believe today is there practice run. What an awesome show!! Timothy was especially excited to see all the planes flying overhead.

Flying in formation over the local container ship yard.

Formation of planes flying up to make a loop.

Ramona and I have the privilege to attend the professional soccer team of St. Petersburg’s game today. Yuri the son of our friend Sveta is playing for the opposing team today. It is a great joy to see him playing this game professionally. The excitement in the air is something unlike I have felt in any American stadium. There is one small section of the opposing team’s fans which have armed riot police surrounding them. There is another section of riot police standing above this section ready to join the other should a fight break out. St. Petersburg beat Nalchik today 4 to 3 in a close match that in which 4 goals were scored in the last 10 minutes of the match.

Instead of our custom of singing the national anthem, the Zenit fans are singing a long (could have been 7 minutes long) team hymn.

One of the first goals of the game when the Nalchik player off a corner kick headed the ball into Zenit’s goal. A beautiful goal!!

Ramona and our friend chatting during the half time. A beautiful 70 degree evening for a great soccer game!

Today our church is having a picnic on the Finnish Gulf. This is the first picnic in a long time when it hasn’t rained, but it is still chilly out today. Everybody has had a wonderful time. A large group of us played a long game of Frisbee football. All of us are exhausted by the end of the day, kids included.



Abby dirty after playing in the sand and sitting on the slide for the hundredth time.

A few of us even played some softball.

Artyom enjoying some bread during the picnic.

The sunrise this morning was spectacular. It got up for a few minutes at 4:30 am to catch these pictures. Ah, I love the summer in St. Petersburg.

Panorama shot

A view from our balcony

Some of our friends joined us for afternoon tea today. They moved to the states and we have not seen them for over a year. It was good to get together. Timothy and David have not seen each other since they were really little. Karina the latest addition to our friend’s family was such a doll.


David & Timothy just before our friend’s leave

Nina, Karina, Peter & David

Today we had Timothy’s good friend Kolya over for lunch. This will be the last Timothy gets to see of his friend for the summer. Every summer Kolya goes to his grandparents in the Crimea. Misha, Kolya’s grandfather, came over for lunch as well. This was our first opportunity to have him over. He loves kids very much and our kids feel in love with him. We hope to have him back again next year.

Kolya, Timothy and Abby playing with the train set.

Ramona, Misha, and Natasha (Kolya’s mom)

Today we are out in Pushkin visiting our friends who recently moved there. This city is the site of one of the great Palaces of St. Petersburg. We and our friends are taking a walk through the park adjacent to Catherine’s Palace. The boys all got ice cream at the end of our long walk through the park. The day was so relaxing and enjoyable.


Ramona and Sarah strolling by Catherine’s Palace

Boys waiting patiently for ice cream

Old broken down German church in the park

Our friend John from Seattle has come to Russia for a vacation and took this evening to be with us. What a blessing it is to fellowship with a friend from the US. The kids really enjoyed John as well. Thanks for visiting us John!

Today we are out at our friends for a bbq. The kids are having a ball playing in a new sandbox that my friend Kelly created for his boys. What a blast! I am also exploring a few of the flowers planted around the yard.


Abby playing in the sandbox

Boys getting down and dirty in the sand

Spring flowers

Our friend Alexey came to town for just over a day. We are so blessed to be hosting him. This afternoon we took him out for lunch and then walked around town. Timothy got his face painted at a Swedish holiday celebration taking place in downtown. What fun!

Alexey, Timothy and Abigail playing on the couch

Timothy’s face paint. Of course it had to be a red car.