Draudziba...

DRAUDZIBA: n: friendship (Latvian)

Cory served a mission for our church to the Baltic states. He spoke Latvian (and later learned Russian on his own...I can brag about how awesome he is!) While serving he met Janis. They had an immediate connection.  Janis has come to America now 4 times and loves every minute of it! He first came in 2006 and went to the temple for the first time, he came in 2007 for our wedding (this was quite the surprise when we found out!) and then in 2010.  We were pretty excited when we found out he was coming again this year. When he comes- we try to squeeze in as much "fun" as possible.  This time he was only with us for about 3 days- but I think we did pretty well at making it worth his while.

 

When he first came to our house (with another missionary companion who lives in Boise) we were in the back yard getting some things ready...he didn't even say hello- he just bee-lined it for the river behind our house.  He told me "You have no idea what I want to do right now..."

FISH! 

That was his number one goal for his Idaho Adventure and despite Cory telling him how poor the fishing was this time of year- he caught several!

 

We started off the fun with a backyard campfire and roasted porkchops (the best over a fire!) and s'mores. 

 

 

These little cuties got to have a little fun while we were together!

 

 

The next day we headed over to Nampa where Janis, Cory and Brig went for a little flight in this airplane...Janis actually drove the entire time- even taking off (I was very relieved to hear that the pilot did take the controls to land the plane)

 

 

(More on the flight later)

 

 

 

 

 

Then we took Janis to Tucanos.  They even sang happy birthday to him (even though his birthday is in September).

He really got into that...

He then told us as he lounged back in his chair that life was good, good food, good company, and good weather in Idaho.

We couldn't agree more!

 

 

One of the things on his list was to try "those round things that Policemen eat."

No better place for that than Krispy Kremes:)

 

 

There was lots of fish that were caught.

 

 

And we were able to tag along for most of the fun...here we are in the paddleboats that they used to fish around the pond.

 

 

More fishing...

 

 

And more fishing:)...

 

 

We finished the first night off with watching Top Gun (Janis' request).  The next day he went on a cattle drive on horseback  and got to be a real American Cowboy. (The kids and I stayed home for that little adventure). He watched an Eagle's concert while sitting in the hot tub at Roystone Hotsprings. Fished a lot more. Ate dinner at Taco Bell and visited Bi-Mart (this was a big request of his!) and the dollar store and then finished the night off with another movie.

The next day we headed down to Utah where we would say goodbye (after another fishing stop and steak dinner) for another 3 years .

It truly is a great experience to have such a good friend of Cory's come stay with us! We love you Jani!