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!

 

Janis' Idahoan Adventure- Part 1

Ok...so this post is a bit overdue and I have severely neglected this blog...but- better late than never! 

A couple weeks ago we had a visitor and this handsome fella played full time tour guide...

To this one-of-a kind fella.  Say hello to Janis...(pronounced Yawn-iss) :)

  He is from Latvia (where Cory served his mission).  Latvia is near Sweeden...it is former Soviet Union but Jani insists we say it is near Sweeden. Cory and two of his very close friends taught and baptized Janis.  He had been investigating the church for years and three Idaho missionaries had what it takes...ok the spirit is what really got him but these guys did help things along:)  Cory has done his best to keep in touch with Janis since he has been home and Janis has come to America 2 times prior to this.  Once to go through the temple for the first time and a second time for our wedding.  He LOVES America.
So we did a little sightseeing...Idaho style!

To start things off we went on a great day hike up to a lake.  I can't really recall the name however.  Like I said...I am a little late getting this up.  One of the top things on Janis' to-do list was to catch a fish (and go see the Boise Ballet- only one of two came about though).  He caught several fish while he was here- and loved every minute of it!

Now this next picture may seem like a normal 4 wheeling trip photo- however- what this picture does not tell you is that Latvians do not show a ton of emotion...especially by big cheesy grins.  BUT...this was Janis' first time on an ATV (they walk everywhere in Latvia so he doesn't even have a licence).  He said this about his trip...and I quote.... "I have never used these words in English before.  It was . UN- BELIEVABLE!!!!!" He absolutely loved it and we were quite nervous the whole trip because he went as fast as he could.  In fact the man and his dog walking up the trail shook his finger quite vigourously at me because of Janis' need for speed! 

Like I said...he thought it was pretty cool...

The view from the top.  We squeezed in a couple other activities that I didn't get pictures with...swimming at Roystone Hotsprings, steak dinner, all that fishing, but we had a lot of fun...

...and Brig and I got to tag along with all the fun...even though we couldn't understand the conversation.  Brig loved getting to spend so much time with Dad and being outside all day everyday.

To end the first week we headed up to Idaho Guest Ranch to ride some horses...and Idaho favorite for Janis.  He was only sad he didn't get to ride Black Jack this year:) While riding horses Janis saddle became loose and he slipped right off...he even loved that...he felt like "8 Seconds."

Here is Janis with the three mission companions all cowboyed up.  Janis is only missing his cowboy hat...which he wears all the time while he is here- he even wore it to church!

While the men folk were off riding horses, Brig was finding himself a lady friend. He likes the older gals.  In fact, he likes her so much that he stole her shoes and her brothers shoes!!! Sorry about that Scott and Meredith- we need to get them back!

Here is Janis with "The owner's of the establishment" aka some real cowboys and cowgirls! Thanks Bryan & Jess for the fun time- you guys are so great and have an awesome thing going! 

He got a few pointers here as well...like "never ask a cowboy the size of his spread..."  I still don't really get why... We also ate hard  delicious potatoes and 7 up chicken in a HUGE dutch oven and really good peach cobbler.  It was a great way to finish off week one! 

A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to help us make Jani's trip a success.  And thank you to Janis- we are so glad you make the sacrafices to come and visit us!  We will post more of week 2 soon.