SHYBOO--- GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went to the hockey game, and we learned one word- Shyboo means GOAL! It was unquestionably the most fun $1.60 we have ever had. The rink is a part of a huge sports complex here in Astana. The Astana team (some kind of tiger) played a team from Russia. Our translator, Gulsana, explained to us that the teams are both competing for a spot in the Russian League. This is the first time that the Russian League is allowing teams from Kazakhstan to have a chance at being in their league. The Astana team, despite losing last night 4-2, is still in second place in the league. Whoever wins the league, which will be decided sometime in January or February, will have a place in the Russian League. Our translator also explained that many of the talented Kazakh players have already gone to play for Russian teams- for two reasons. First, the scouts from the NHL only go to see the players in the Russian League. And second, the NHL pays its players the most, followed closely behind by the Russian League. The Kazakh League, while the players get paid nice salaries, apparently pay the hockey players around the same as well paid professionals- what a concept, huh?

We also noticed that in addition to the goalies, some of the players had the full facemask on their helmets, not just the plastic covering. Gulsana explained that there is a law here that all players under 18 must have the full facemask on when playing.

One thing we did pick up on quickly- hockey fans are hockey fans, no matter where you are. Within the crowd, there was a good mix of beligerent, drunk fans and cute little kids wearing oversized hockey jerseys. The one thing you normally won't see at home was the large number of women wearing fur coats to hockey games. Also, the meat pies probably aren't so popular at hockey games back home. And of course, the smoking in the bathroom is definitely more of a Kazakh thing. Here are a few pictures from the game. This is the outside of the ice rink.

Some shots from the game, and of course the Astana team's mascot.

Now for the Rylie Update. During Friday's visit we could tell that she was starting to feel a little bit better, so that was definitely a good thing. She played for much of the visit, which was a good sign. As usual, Rylie and Sara played in the bin of balls.

Then Rylie ventured over to one of her other favorite hangouts- the dial on the side of the slide. This is a dial that moves in a circle, like you have on old phones. Rylie loves this dial, and the fact that it is next to the mirror doesn't hurt!

Lastly, we got another family picture. Rylie was not very happy during this one. She had just been playing with our coordinator's cell phone, which was now being used to get her to look at the camera (as you can see in the bottom corner.) Rylie was much happier after the picture when we put her back down and she could play with the cell phone- the ring is a baby crying, which we have figured out confuses Rylie. Whenever it goes off initially, she looks around to the other babies in the room to see who is crying. Then when we show her the cell phone she starts to crawl to it. In any event, here is family picture #2.

As far as Saturday's visit goes- same story every week. Rylie doesn't really like it. She has moments where she enjoys the craziness in the room, but those moments were few and far between yesterday.

At the beginning of the visit, Rylie had fun playing in the little plastic house that she loves. The Belgian family, who is adopting a little girl in Rylie's room, also has an adorable 5 year old boy (also adopted from Kazakhstan about 4 years ago.) Rylie is very intrigued by Mickey, who is all boy! Mickey came into the house to play with Rylie yesterday- of course he climbed through the window! He had a very cool kid's MP3 player toy with music, games, and a camera on it. At first, Rylie was rocking back and forth to the music. Then she was trying to grab it. Mickey was really patient with Rylie at first.

Until of course, she tried to put it in her mouth. That didn't go over so well!

Rylie had a few minutes of smiles playing on the ball with her friend, Aitugan.

And for a very few minutes, Rylie played contently with the three babies from the afternoon group.

But most of all, we think Rylie missed her buddy Quinn for the past two days. Quinn left the Baby House on Thursday, for a very special Thanksgiving, and will soon be heading home! Rylie spent much of Friday morning looking to the door every time there was a little noise- we think she misses Quinn!
So that's the story from Astana. We hope you are all well and having a nice holiday weekend.
Love to everyone----