The Russians are Coming

Nick served a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Yekaterinburg Russia. While he was there he had the opportunity to teach many. This September Nick received and email from 2 of his converts. Stepan, and Mikhail. They were both coming to America and wanted to stay with us during general conference. Stepan was coming out to go on a church history tour, and Mikhail was coming for business. Both ended up staying with us for about a week. (Needless to say, there was a severe lack of English at my house! haha!) We had a lot of fun though, and it was fun getting to know them.

This is Stepan.

Stepan arrived the day before Mikhail. The first thing he wanted to do was go shopping. So, off to the mall we went. He HAD to get a BYU hoodie, and he also picked up and Obama t-shirt. (He is a huge fan.....) I took advantage of that to start fights with him about politics...that Nick had to translate. LOL Too funny.

He did NOT like American restaurant food/candy/sweets. He thought everything was fatty, greasy, and just strange. :D He did like the home cooked meals that I made (Thank Heaven!)

Mikhail was out to experience everything. He flew in the next day.
They were both able to get tickets to all four sessions of conference. That was a lot of fun for them. While they were here they toured all around Salt Lake, and spent some time at BYU, and the surrounding temples. They were also here during Nick's mission reunion.

Mikhail, Stepan, and Nick at the Salt Lake Temple
Mikhail, Jade Walter (Mission Companion), Stepan, and Nick, at the mission Reunion

Stepan and Nick

After Stepan left Mikhail was still here for a few more days. We took him up on a drive around the alpine loop, and up to the natural springs to see some nature. On the way there we stopped and hiked bridal veil falls. It was really pretty (sadly, my camera died right after the hike back down).

The waterfall

Me & Nick at the falls
Mikhail & Nick
At the topHow cute is he? :)

Once we were at the top Mikhail asked Nick if it was clean water. Not knowing Mikhails intentions he said, "yeah, its probably pretty clean." Next thing we knew he was over drinking the water.......(probably isnt THAT clean, but he lived, and didn't get sick, whew.)
He said it was fresh, cold, and tasted really good. I am just going to have to take his word on that. :)Everything was so pretty with all the trees changing colors. It was also a lot of fun having the
Russians here. Maybe one day we will get to go visit them, and I will get to see Russia, and see some of the things and people in the stories Nick tells me.