Introducing Ruth (almost 2) and Esther (2 months). We consider our family "complete" now.

Visiting Family

For about two weeks we travelled around visiting family and friends. Pictures include dinner with two sets of aunts and uncles along with several cousins, Laura's cousin and children, Steve's brother and children and our youngest niece holding her cousin's baby (that's right, we're great uncle and aunt!).

Moving Back In

We have returned to our townhouse in smalltown USA. The renters took pretty decent care of it, only a few odd complaints which I am sure are normal.

We spent the month between arriving and moving back in staying at Laura's grandma's house (the picture is Laura with both grandma's. we stayed with the one in red), and traveling to see friends and family.

Back In The USA

We have arrived safely back in America with only minor jetlag. We are however feeling very uprooted right now, still semi living out of our suitcases. We are staying with a Grandma but plan to move back in our soon-to-be-vacated house after we have made some important visits to friends and family around the country.

Our Last Post From Here-For Now

We leave tomorrow, so we won't be making any more posts from Montenegro. We may continue to post from the States. At first anyway, our internet access may be spotty. Thanks for keeping up with us this year!

Conquering Lovćen

Back in January, we tried to reach the top of Mount Lovćen, were Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the most famous Montenegrin is buried. At the time, snow kept us from our goal. This time, we were able to get there. So after taking a taxi as far as we could, we climbed 300+ steep steps, with two pauses (there were outlooks with nice ledges to sit on, and Laura really needed to stop and sit).

Upon reaching the top, there is a small room with a large statue of Njegoš, as they call him, with an eagle behind him, and gold ceiling tiles. Below is the room where he is buried, then there is a place you can view most of Montenegro from (it's safe to say that Steve enjoyed that part much more than Laura).

A Doggy Of Our Own (for about a day)

Steve opened our door yesterday to find this funny dog laying on our welcome mat. The dog got up and went over to the neighbor's mat, but when we returned from our shopping trip, the puppy was back on our mat again. This time doggy didn't move, so we just stepped around.

Even funnier, when we went out later that evening, the dog followed us for several blocks, even through a construction site. We weren't sure what we would do if it followed us back home again. Six days to go is a little late to be adopting an animal.