April things just continued to get more COVID crazy. School was remaining in remote learning which was beyond hard. The oil and gas market was starting to collapse so we were as a company looking to save every penny and we started reducing our activity levels which meant we no longer needed as many expats - so the families started leaving. Its never easy to say goodbye, especially for the kids but of course expat kids get really used to it. Due to the rising COVID situation many families decided to leave and ride out the COVID times in the USA with better medical care. This is hard for the working spouse that remains without his/her family. Justin and I thought about it but at the end of the day we thought staying put and keeping our family was the best option for us.
Easter came and went and unfortunately we couldn't celebrate at our church due to COVID but we did our best to celebrate and keep things as normal as we could. Unfortunately we couldn't import Easter gifts with travelers and rotators so I had to piece together baskets from the Russian stores that delivered. It wasn't easy but they didn't notice. I was able to get a few things from others on the compound so it all worked out.
Dying Easter egg Fun
Decorating Eggs
Riley made us a chocolate cake for desert
The Community at times was able to get together social distance style to just socialize and try to have some normal engagement
Riley had to say goodbye to one of her good girlfriends Hannah. The Sleighs left us in the middle of the pandemic to move to a new opportunity in Beaumont Texas. Riley, Hailey and Hannah were great friends and were lucky enough to enjoy a sleepover the weekend before Hannah left.
Home learning has been an extreme challenge. Learning coupled with full time jobs are really tough for Justin and I to manage but the kids have been troopers. We are getting into somewhat of a crazy rhythm/routine but I know for certain that I am not meant to be a teacher!
Riley has become quite the fashionista. She loves picking out and matching outfits and then she models them. One of her outfits... why does she look so big here?
Riley and Dad working on math while dad simultaneously running his SHE business in Sakhalin. Not the best picture but wanted to capture the sweet moment
Justin was not pleased I submitted that picture in the global Shell Newsletter
Riley working on her chocolate science experiment for school
Riley and dad melting chocolate for her IPC project
Carter in his class zoom meeting - really fun to be working and have my conference calls, Carter on Zoom meeting and Riley on a zoom meeting.... complete Chaos! 
Carter working hard on his school work
Carter had to interview his paw paw - he loved that
All smiles working on his interview
Recess time with friends
Getting outside for some playtime
Sometimes they get along and work together
Carter can learn anywhere - even under the kitchen table
Hailey came over to help Riley make her cake for school
Riley- focused on her math learning
Carter was so excited his grandparents sent him a personalized letter. Rileys unfortunately didn't make it but at least Carter got one!
Friends over for online dance classes to help with PE
Snow is melting but still visible. This place is just so pretty dusted with white snow
Just a normal day... Justin working and Carter on his neck! This is our reality!
Making breakfast with my sweet boy
Movie time with these two cuties
Playing outside
Riley baking again for home learning - you can see some days she wants to just hang in her PJ's
Gym is closed so I have to get my workouts running outside. Good thing I have this cutie with me!
We had a neighbor take some quarantine family pictures in the neighborhood of all the families. I thought he did a great job capturing our beautiful family!
Our townhome in Russia covered in snow
This is one of my neighbors Russian Banya - people around here will go into the Banya and then lay in the snow....
A banya is originally an Eastern Slavic steam bath with a wood stove. It is considered an important part of Russian culture with Slavic roots. The bath takes place in a small room or building designed for dry or wet heat sessions. The steam and high heat make the bathers perspire.
Beautiful Sakhalin sunset
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