Christmas Plays and Snowballs

I know in the States most of the Christmas decorations have been tucked away in attics, basements, and closets, to wait out another year; which inevitably will fly by as quickly as this last year did.  Children's Church leaders have already had a couple weeks worth of rest from their work involved in putting together successful Christmas programs.  In fact they are more than likely already looking at summer Vacation Bible School and all that is required in making it come together.  Most families have officially ended the Christmas break with the start of school and regular work weeks.
For all intents and purposes Christmas 2011 is finished.

Here in Ukraine however, it seems that the Christmas story continues to be played out.  As you may remember Ukraine celebrates Christmas on January 7th.  But Ty and I have continued to see the Christmas story told in play form several times since then.  In fact I think we have seen probably 6 Christmas play productions in all.  These productions rival any that we have seen in the US, with many talented singers/singing groups, elaborately made costumes and of course unsuspecting toddlers being included as cute little barn animals.

Our most favorite production took place this past Saturday and included many of the Father's House kids that we have come to know and love.  But even more exciting to us was that our girls were part of it and we got to see them perform their singing talents (many of you have probably heard the clips I posted on facebook).  So being the proud parents we took many pictures and want to share them with you.

The girls' singing group and teacher.

Some of the kids insisted that we take pictures with just them.

Hanging out in between scenes.

Beautiful Costumes!

Picture Perfect!

Incidentally, these same kids all left bright and early this morning to perform in front of the President of Ukraine!

After the production Saturday afternoon we left to find that it had starting snowing!  For us Floridians that is a treat!  Well, that snow continued off and on all of Sunday and we woke up to more of it this morning.  This was the view from our window on Sunday morning.

When we got out of church service it had picked up again, making me very glad that my great friend, Debbie Titus, had let me borrow her beautiful coat with a much needed, warm hood.  Thanks Deb!

The younger kids spent the entire day outside, pulling each other around the yard on sleds and having more snowball fights than I could count.

The big kids (including the Biggest) got in on the action after dinner.  The minute Ty stepped out of our apartment he became the target for every snowball made.  It was so cute hearing the kids yell, "Ty" in their Russian accents... only to be followed up with a snowball sailing through the air towards Ty's head.  He was a good sport and it seemed that the rougher he got, the more the boys loved it.  It was a great time!

An attempt at a pyramid.  Notice the biggest kid at the bottom.

Adoption news:  No news :(

PS... Yesterday was 4 weeks since we left our family at home.  We are hoping that we are more than half way through our stay in Ukraine.  So in honor of that I thought I would change up the look of the blog... hope you like it.