Going Home!!!

We got an email from the American Embassy saying that they would make an exception and conduct our exit interview on Wednesday...Tomorrow.  Meaning...we will be leaving on Thursday in the middle of the night and arrive in LA on Thursday afternoon.  I really really cannot believe it's all finally over!  Once that plane touches down in LA we can finally let out a deep breath for the first time in a whole year!  Praise God!  

Above are some photos from our days here in Almaty and below are our captions.  

 

Photo 1: Ava and Daddy looking at a map of Kazakhstan

Photo 2: Ava pointing to America as we explain our upcoming flight home

Photo 3: Ava loved this fountain in the Mega center in Almaty!  Between the fountain and ridding up and down the escalators, she could have been entertained all day.

Photo 4: We played in a little arcade for about an hour today.  It was a little mature for Ava but by the end she was enjoying it.  I think the indoor play grounds suit her better right now.

Photo 5: We got a real treat...PIZZA HUT!  Real Pizza at last!

Photo 6: Since our first trip I told James that I wanted to buy one special book for Ava in Russian.  Nothing struck us until today!  We found a Little Mermaid book that was just perfect for her.  Little Mermaid is Ava's new obsession.  I wish we had started a tally of how many times we've watched it this week.  It would be on all day if it was up to her.

Photo 7: That sippie cup is stuck to her like glue.  Now that she has the freedom to ask for a drink whenever she is thirsty, she takes full advantage!

Photo 8: Happy! 

Photo 9: The playgrounds here in Almaty are a little nicer than in Pavlodar

Photo 10: She's becoming a wonderful climber

Photo 11: It's finally warm enough to retire the pink coat and hat!

Photo 12: America get ready for Ava D.  She's coming Home!!!

 

We have much to share about our time here but we literally found out about our new travel plans an hour ago and are now trying to connect with our driver, email my parents who will be picking us up, and put Ava to bed.  We will share more later...from home!  Again, prayers for our long flight are appreciated mucho!