Addi and Maddox Visit the Farm!

On December 24, Grandad couldn't wait to take Addi and
Maddox to visit the animals at the farm where he works.
So Gran went along to enjoy the fun.

The first part of the fun was to show Addi and Maddox the
caboose that belongs to Mr. Orton at the farm. They loved
this!

Inside, Addi and Maddox enjoyed climbing up to the
window seats.

Maddox didn't want to come down until I reminded him
that we couldn't open up his birthday presents at the house
if he didn't come down. He also realized that if he didn't
home down, he couldn't help feed the horses!

Addi and Grandad in the barn. The horses came running
to be fed. Addi and Maddox were really interested in
Legend, Lady and her colt, Cody.

Maddox loved getting the hay and giving it to the horses
to eat. He wasn't scared of them at all.

Maddox feeding the horses.

Addi and Baby posing for a picture in the barn.

Maddox and Addi feeding the horses hay.

Maddox outside watching the horses eat. He brough the
Noah's Ark set with him to the farm!

Addi and Maddox really enjoyed feeding the horses and
also watching them. They returned to the farm with
Grandad several times while they were in the States.
At other times, they rode the Green Gator and loved it!

Riding Grandad's Tractor

Another treat for Addi and Maddox was riding with Grandad on his lawn-mowing tractor. Maddox loved asking if they could ride the "green tractor" (Gator down at the farm) or the yellow tractor (the one here for mowing).

Addi, Maddox and Grandad

The sun was really bright this day. It was a treat for both

children to be able to go outside without having to bundle

up, put on boots, hats, scarves and hats. Our big yard

provided a great place for them to play. Jenny and Matt

could let them go outside to play by themselves, checking

on them periodically. What a difference from where they

live in Russia with the high-rise apartments. Of course,

Addi and Maddox love the playgrounds that are there!

Grandad and Maddox on the "yellow tractor."

Grandad and Maddox take off for a ride around the house!

Addi wearing Gran's sunglasses!

Addi's turn to ride the tractor with Grandad.

Jenny and I found two riding toys at a consignment shop.

Addi and Maddox had a great time riding on the driveway,

sidewalk and in the yard.

The one that Addi is riding made all kinds of motorcycle

noises. This is the one that they both preferred to ride.

So it was always a rush to see who could get to it first!

Maddox struggled with the pedaling at first, but then

once he caught on, he was all over the place riding!

The Depp Kids in action!

We had so much fun playing with Addi and

Maddox while they were visiting our home.

We hope that they enjoyed it just as much!

The Depps Arrive from Russia!!!

The months of December and January were more than full with family, fun and events. On December 23, Jenny, Matt, Addi and Maddox arrived in the States for a monthly visit! Adam, Matt, Kristen, Turner, Kit and I were at the RDU airport to greet them. Addi came running to me and I picked her up for a big hug. Maddox was busy helping his Dad push the cart loaded down with all the luggage. All of us had smiles and some tears as we were so happy to see them. Aunt Jenny was thrilled to finally see her new nephew, Turner. Here are a few pictures of that special evening as we went to Matt and Kristen's home for an American pizza dinner, requested by Jenny!

Jenny feeding Turner as Matt D.
Kit and Maddox are nearby.

Aunt Jenny loved holding Turner.

Uncle Matt enjoyed meeting
Turner too.

Uncle Matt took his turn
at holding and feeding
Turner too.

Turner was happy to meet his
Aunt Jenny, Uncle Matt and
his cousins who live in Russia. He
watched Addi and Maddox as
they played in his house!

Maddox is such a happy
little 3 year old boy.

Addi was so proud that she
is now four years old! The kids
were wide awake and you'd
never guess that they had
been flying for many hours
to get to the States!

Uncle Adam enjoyed the family
fun of being together once again.

Gran and Turner

Grandad and Turner

We had a great time eating pizza, laughing, talking
and sharing love for one another. And this was
just the beginning of the month-long visit for The Depps.

Playing around with Addi. Uncle Adam shows
Maddox a video on his cell phone. The pizza
was great and it was wonderful to have all of our
family together. God has blessed us richly.