Today was definitely different from our normal routine. The gym has started their holiday hours which seriously conflict with our non-sleeping schedule! I was able to handle most of my business and had time to catch up with a few friends this morning.


     Irene and Yuri picked us up and we headed to the Paralegals to remove Lena from the adoption database! This is the only step that we could take prior to the end of the 10 day appeal period. I'm sure that Irene has grown weary of my constant prodding on things that I can do to speed up the process:-)

     Next, we head to the grocery mart to pick up a variety of bland foods for our daughter. Even the grocery stores here are architectural feats with crown moldings and marble columns. I think that we bought 2 of everything so that we can give our princess exactly what she wants!

     We head for a late lunch with Yuri and Irene at a Georgian barbecue restaurant. Christy had Noodle, Egg & Chicken soup with Chicken and Vegetable Kabobs. I had a Spicy Veal and cabbage soup with Lamb Kabobs. The food was excellent and they even have a greeter dressed in authentic Georgian attire. (I'm thinking that I could start a new trend in clothing!)

     We couldn't do anything more for the adoption so we headed back to Red Square and the Kremlin to get a better look.

     They have a giant Ice rink right in the middle of Red Square. I tried to get Christy to skate with me but she reminded me that a broken hip wouldn't fair well with all of the running around we have ahead of us.

    
     We bought tickets to go inside the walls of the Kremlin and saw this huge cannon that weighs 40 Tons and was made in 1586. The cannon balls weigh 1000 Kilograms each.

     Next we get to see the Tsar Bell which is the largest Bell in the world. It was cast in 1735 and weighs 200 Tons.

     The Assumption Cathedral was built in 1479 and has beautiful Christian murals on the entry and throughout. On major religious feast days, services are still held here.

      
     The Archangel Cathedral was built in 1505 and contains 45 crypts of princes and Tsars including Ivan the terrible.

     The Annunciation Cathedral was built in 1489 by masters from Pskov as a home church of the Great Moscow Princes and later the Russian Tsars. This has painted scenes from the Bible and carved woodwork that has been gilded in bronze. The paintings are on every wall and continue up though the inside of the onion domes. This is where most of the royal weddings and christening's happened.

     Next we went into the Armoury.  It is Russia's oldest museum and contains 9 centuries of precious objects. We saw amazing icons, weapons, art, clothing and carriages.  It seemed like everything was covered in gold and precious gems, even the horse accessories. Christy's favorites were the crowns, Catherine the Great's coronation gown and of course the Faberge eggs. I really admired the horse carriages and as I was pointing close to one to show Christy something on it;I became aware that motion detectors were guarding it. The curators did not have a sense of humor about me setting off the alarms, no Russian jail but Christy was really embarrassed :-)

      It was really nice to get outside today and we were even blessed with a little sunshine. Once again God letting us know that he is with us on this journey!