2011 in Atyrau, Kazakhstan

every time we move, it’s different.

And with each move we have faced different challenges.  In fact each one has come with it’s own unique issues!! 

In all honesty when we started thinking about moving on from Bangkok, Thailand – Kazakhstan was not even in the picture.  In fact we had our minds set on South America.  We were ready Maracaibo.  But of course things change and you go with the flow.

So when we were finally told that Kazakhstan would be our next location – we thought, that’s cool!

I guess it really would not have mattered either way, cause we were ready.

Looking back,  I think that’s probably the reason why I have enjoyed this assignment/location and that things have really been great.  We came ready.  Either way, we were going to enjoy this stop.

And we have!!

Here are some photo’s of our first few months in Atyrau, KZ.  Actually it was the last 5 months of 2011.

Kazakhstan bound!

Our house, DV153 – all the houses are the same.

new friends

getting used to the local currency

evening view of the Ural – from inside our community camp.  Dostyk Village

local restaurant.

local fisherman

streets of Atyrau.  Russian Orthodox Church in the background.

DAIS – the school getting ready for 1st day of school

first day of school for Renee and Tanysha (Josh just wanted to be in the picture!!)

air shipment arrived

Saturday sports – a parent led activity for the children on the weekend.

our first snow ever!!

and I had one happy boy!!

and girls!

And we had a white Christmas that year and it was gorgeous!!

What can I say – our first 5 months in Atyrau were beautiful. 

We went with the flow…..we opened our hearts and were ready for anything.