last week, part 1: gifts, ice, goodbyes

well, now that i'm home i should try to catch up on the last few days in kaz, and also post more photos of Toby, now that he's "out"! ;-p

so the last few days in Ust were busy with court, final goodbyes, gift-giving, and of course our last visits with all our kids.

as our gift to the the baby home, we went in together with the fleggetts on a new TV for Rasul's and Sultan's room. the caregivers were absolutely ecstatic, saying how now they can let the kids watch DVDs sometimes (we're just hoping they aren't planning on watching soaps on it!) i love this photo because a few of the kids from his room are on it. the little guy on the bottom just really won my heart and i wished i could have adopted him too as an older brother for Toby. he was three, and he was such a little caretaker for the other little kids in Toby's room. my favorite of Toby's caretakers is also on this photo, to my right. she was kind and seemed to really know what she was doing.

 that same day we were given permission to bundle up Rasul and take him outside. he was so trusting --didn't freak out at all, and he seemed to really enjoy the adventure. it's a good thing we took him out that day because it got reeeeeaally cold the next couple days; i'm sure we could not have taken him out. i wish we had asked earlier. notice the little foot muffs on his hands. ;-) 

 rasul's locker, right next to sultan's. 

so glad they'll grow up knowing each other and living only a couple hours apart! 

these next photos are from one day when karen wasn't able to come to the baby home,and i got to have both little boys on my lap. it was so nice! it was obvious they knew and were comfortable with each other. what could better than two warm little toddlers on your lap! 

at one point while i had them both on my lap Toby just kinda looked up at me as if to say "but, i'm your baby, right?" i flatter myself, i'm sure, but it was sooo sweet! 

sam has to be THE most expressive kid you will ever see - he is SO CUTE!

monday night was our final supper with the Fleggetts at the Chinese restaurant, of course. it was so sad to see them go, but we were happy they got to spend christmas at home with family, especially for max's sake; the poor guy's sleep patterns were so messed up the whole trip! none-the-less, he was such a trooper!

 all these great ice sculptures started going up all around the last couple weeks we were there.

 recognize this corner, anyone?

guess i'll save the rest for another post!