Hey everyone! We are back! We got in Saturday late afternoon. It was a beautiful, sunny day, very warm for here...mild by Texas standards! We were so tired but wanted to stay awake so we took the metro to Arbat street and looked at souvenirs...and had a frappucino at Starbucks...nothin' like the Bucks to make you feel at home! We then crashed at the hotel.

On the trip over we sat near a real "Texas character". He had on a cowboy hat, western boots, wetern shirt, large belt buckle...you know what I mean. He even had a duster as his coat. He liked to talk alot and at first it was interesting but then Jim and I found ourselves trying to avoid talking with him. He is from Dennison and is a free lance photographer. He was on his way over to do train travel throughout Russia and take pictures. He said last year he was here and went to Red Square and Russians were coming up to him wanting their picture taken with a real cowboy. Haha! Anyway, we got off the plane and made our way to the hotel. We checked in and later were sitting in the bar having a glass of wine and guess who walks by? Yes, Mr. Tex himself! Small world sometimes. The guy is so over the top we wondered if he is some type of undercover agent pretending to be a Texas cowboy. Oh the fun we had with that one!

I was sad to find out that we couldn't go to the orphanage yesterday. There was a miscommunication, I thought we were going to get to see her on Sunday, but they don't allow us to come on Sundays. Jim and I kept reminding ourselves she will be with us permanently soon, so we made the best of the day. We decided to scope out hotels across town where we might stay with her on the next trip. We were feeleing brave enough to go all over the city on the metro...we even masterd changing lines. Thank God they are coded in color...it was the only way we could tell the difference. We like the Marriott Courtyard...there is a beautiful park nearby, and we like the Holiday Inn, we could afford a bigger room there. Either way it will be high season here so we will pay alot...but it is all worth it!

Last night we went to dinner at a wonderful place called Cafe Pushkin. It is one of the nicest restaurants in Moscow...we splurged to celebrate that today Ellie will be officially ours! It was in an old 19th century mansion, they had a lovely string quartet, the food was great and the atmosphere was one of the nicest we have ever dined in. It was an incredible experience.

Today we go to court and then to the orphanage. I can't wait to see her! I will write later tonight to let you know how it all goes. I will have some pictures to post too!

Much love to you!