Note from Alyssa....she sneaked it into our suitcase!
Frankfurt Airport, Look its snow!
Hmmm?
Excuse me, any care to sell us a ticket?
Wow, I'm in Germany!
On our way to Latvia
Hey that lake is frozen to where there are tire tracks on it!
Ahh, the Hotel Domina
New Bridge in Riga
Old Bridge in Riga
On our way to Daugavpils!
Natasha, Laura, Vanda at the Orphan Court
We are in the HOTE - Might want to fix that letter...
The stuffed Panda, a great hit!!
Gift from Vanda - she made it.
Look, the Panda can talk!
Our Grocery store
View from Hotel in Daugavpils
Vanda in her "room" with her music
Laughter at Cili Pica
Bring on the pizza !
View from hotel
View from top floor of hotel
Connections with a frog
Just a simple walk in the park 19 degrees
Mom making friends
Park near hotel
Building by park
Daugava River
Kirk & Vanda ready to go back
Papa & Vanda playing Cafe Life
Our "Kitchen"
Cafe Life Queen
Our new favorite place for dinner, Cili Pica
Playful
Smile for mama!
Central Park
Staring into the bright sun, just so my wife can get a picture of the skating hall
One of many churches within blocks of our hotel
Vanda Skyping with her foster sister Laura
Road to children's home
Homes along the way
Tram ride through Daugavpils
Latvian coin worth about $2
View from front of children's home...the lake (now frozen) is through the trees
Vanda & Santa in the entrance to the orphanage! God placed Santa, our only connection, right there as we walked in!!
Laura and Vanda
Mom and Vanda had fun with skating
Beth and Vanda doing math
Beth was facinated eith the insulated baby carraiges
Walking street
Old Railroad Station
Now this is style
Such form :-)
A brief snow shower
In room dining at its best
Dining Room
Vanda's Room
Computer Room
The laundry room
Game Room
Kirk's Room
Beth's Room
Dusk in Daugavpils
Daugava River in Kraslava
House - Kraslava
Kraslava from the bridge
Walk to the Palace 88 steps rte
Kraslava Palace
Palace Queen
Overlooking Kraslava
Kraslava
Anita, Artem, Ilsa, Natasha, Vanda
Painting of Kraslava in Museum
Vanda's Art School in the background
Catholic Church Kraslava
Flower Shop Kraslava
Beautiful feast at Mama Gertruda's
Vanda's and Laura's bedroom
Kitchen
Artem, Vanda's half brother
Mama Gertruda & Vanda
View from Mama Gertruda's apartment
Anita, Natasha, Gertruda, Beth
Cleo & Vanda
Launday Day
Vanda reading 100 letters from her new school friends
So many fun letters!
After an hour and 15 min.
Our new daughter!
Our daily breakfast place
Womens day in Latvia, Flowers everywhere
Vanda and Zarina, a special meal before leaving
Vanda and Mama Gertruda
Friends Saying good bye
Sunset in Daugavpils, We've said our Goodbyes, on to Riga
Signing the document saying she wants to be our daughter!
Our Latvian Attorney, Daina Roze (L) and the Orphan Court Director, Ms Inga (R)
It's official! Vanda said "yes"!
More Joy!
The Largest Cathedral in the Baltic States, Aglona! Latvians WALK here August 14th from all over the country!
Just enjoying another winter day in Latvia! :)
Ah, the beauty of Riga!
Riga!
The park in Riga....signs of Spring coming, the ice is melting!
Riga's Statue of Freedom
A Father-Daughter moment
Riga
Skyping with the Community School of Davidson!
Vendor selling Russian stackable dolls
Dessert at her favorite restaurant
Beth and her Latte
Mom and Daughter!
Cat on a tin roof?
USA plate in Riga with Russian flag !?!
Edward, Vanda, Kirk
Another family adopting from Latvia
Our new "Friends", Joe, Brenna, Leigah Friend
Brotherly advice, Edward & Vanda
Leaving Latvia, there is a light snow falling
Vanda's room. Her first room to cal her own.
A wonderful welcome for Vanda on our door!
