We didn't make it to the Ball!

Mothers Day celebrations started on Saturday night. We were meant to be going to a Ball, then at the last minute our excitement was taken away from us. We still decided to have some fun, so we put on our dresses and hit the town for dinner and a movie. Out of all of us, Bella was the only one who scored a compliment from this young man.

Sunday started with flowers, breakfast and presents. Becky received some amazing home made cards, home made brownies from Nik, and a plant from Bella... and from Valera an iPod. Don't anyone tell him I'm not his mother in case he asks for it back.

In the evening we had a Hollywood theatrical by Bella and Anna, with lots of kind words to their Mums, singing and dancing. Anna even showed us how to shake our bottoms!!!!!!!!

The Reunion

It was a wonderful surprise to see Jessica walk back into Nik's class this week. She had been away for a year but now she is again with her friends.

This means we will have the chance to see more of Mohammed and Homeria, which makes us very happy.

And to top the week off, Nik received another merit certificate.

Wow What a Week! What's next?

Oganovs arrive

We knew that our friends the Oganovs were arriving in Perth from Sydney any moment. For Nik that moment couldn't come soon enough. He sat waiting...waiting by our front window. They had driven across the Nullabor to Perth.

All good things come to those who wait, and then they finally arrived. They had their first dinner in Perth with us. We hope God will bless their move to the West.

Anzac Day at Yanchep

For ANZAC Day we made our way to Yanchep National Park. It was only thirty minutes away but thanks to Google Maps it took twice that long. It directed us up the part of Marmion Avenue that has not quite completed its way to Yanchep yet. Nik loved the dirt road and wanted to keep going. We reminded him that we didn't have a 4WD.

Once we arrived it was just so peaceful, even with all the other people who had the same idea as us.

We visited the sleepy koalas.

We had a lovely hiked around the lake, and saw many big and small wonders.

We couldn't go on the boats because the water level of the lake was too low. So Bella and Papa sat and quietly thought of how good this moment was...

...half an hour later they we still dreaming!

Celebrating 17 years in Australia

Valeri didn't know it, but he had a busy day ahead of him. After arriving home early from work, Becky enticed him to Yum Cha in Northbridge with Babu and the kids, before her meeting at the State Library.

In the evening, the Pascoes and Moukines arrived for a surprise dinner! We are all a Russian - Aussie mix. We met Julia (holding Elliot) here in Australia, only to find out that she used to live in Minsk on Angaskaya, the same as Valera. Genna arrived in Australia to go to Bible College. All three arrivals married Aussies.

Here are our kids having their own dinner party.

Then Valera went to volleyball!

Remembering 17 years in Australia

Seventeen years ago, on this day, a young Valera arrived in Australia, to following an adventure of a new life in the land Down Under, and of course a young girl - Becky!

He arrived with feelings of excitement and exhaustion. Many people were at the airport to meet him. The above photo includes Uncle Victor (now Dad) and Frank (who helped Valera get a Visa).

Little did he know that the adventure hadn't really started yet!

We climbed into Uncle Victor's Combi and Becky and Valera quietly held hands. Half way home in Gnangara the Combi came to a stop. We had run out of petrol!!!!!! At this point Becky was wondering if she would ever forgive her father for such an embarrassing start to his arrival. Next thing we had flagged down a panel van and were lying in the back together, with the luggage and Grandma.

We can now laugh about it!

A very young Valeri and Becky in Freo.

First holiday to Rotto.

Joondalup Festival 2008

This year Isa had a chance to represent her school in the Joondalup Parade. Each student decorated a vest and hat to wear on the day. The theme was a rainbow of colour, and she chose the colour orange.
The children had to be very patient as we gathered an hour before the parade started, practicing again the moves and songs. It was interesting to see the other participants, particularly the Brazilian drummer's and their dancers.

Here they are hitting the streets - singing and dancing. The two day festival was a success and there were record numbers this year watching the parade.