Ieva turns TWO!

Tuesday, September 25th was Ieva's 2nd birthday, but this year the celebrations lasted for 4 days! They began on Sunday the 23rd with a fabulously crazy kid's party, hosted by Ieva's friend Charlotte who lives down the street from us. Charlotte's apartment was large enough to hold the 9 kids (all under the age of 7) who came. Her birthday poem invitation went along with this photo:

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom: My birthday’s almost here!
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom: It’s been another year!
I’m turning two and I’ve been told that even though it’s not that old,
I still can celebrate with friends and have a party that never ends!
So please come celebrate with me on Sunday, September twenty-three.
My good friend Charlotte is our host since her house can hold the most.
Her door code’s easy: x-x-9: and then you’ll be there right on time!
3:00, just up the stairs: Ramioji 8 – I’ll see you there!

More photos from her party:

The Queen of her table

Andrew & Ieva with Gina & Ema

Ieva & "baby Yarlotte"

Party Friends! l-r: Nike, Ema, Erik, Charlotte, Ieva, Heavenlee

Then on Tuesday - her actual birthday - we had a family celebration at home with Ieva, Mom & Dad and Grandma & Grandpa and opened a few presents together.

Busia & Papa (Ieva's Aunt Leslie's parents) sent this fabulous Noah's Ark!

The box Noah's Ark came in is almost as fun as the toy itself!

Then on Wednesday, September 26th, we had a special birthday dinner on the balcony for Ieva with Grandma & Grandpa, Rebecca & Pisey, Chad & Casey. Rebecca, Pisey, Casey & Chad are some of Ieva's favorite non-related adults! We always celebrate special Ieva-events with them since all but Chad have known her since her birth!Birthday dinner on the balcony!

Rebecca & Pisey gave Ieva this pretty Asian-style dress for her birthday!

Ieva & Uncle Casey

Thanks to the four days of celebrations, Ieva learned the phrases "birthday girl", "happy birthday to you" and when asked how old she is, she can now hold out 2 fingers & says proudly "two, two, two!" We're so thankful for all of Ieva's friends & family - far & near - who remembered her 2nd birthday!

Introducing...LCC International University

Today our campus hosted the celebration of LCC being in Klaipeda for 15 years, our new name and we had a ribbon-cutting & dedication ceremony for Neumann Hall - our first campus student residence hall!

If you haven't yet heard about LCC's name change from Lithuania Christian College to LCC International University, please be assured that the absence of the word 'Christian' in the name doesn't correlate with an absence of LCC's continued Christian mission. The decision was made due to the large spectrum of understanding of what that word means in this part of the world.

For me, the opening of Neumann Hall was the culmination of 4 year's worth of conceptual dreams, planning upon planning upon planning & a ton of stress & hard work to actually get the building open and ready for occupancy. I'm so proud of it & more importantly, students love living there!




Having the hall's namesakes, Dennis & Rene Neumann, present at the event was especially meaningful. We are very thankful for the significant contributions of time, finance & service they have given LCC since its' beginning.














It was a fantastic celebration that drew governmental officials like Klaipeda's mayor, different ambassadors, migration officials, and other university administrators. LCC's board of directors was also present, as well as the new presidential candidate & his wife (who were offered the position - let's pray they accept!) who will replace President Jim Mininger after his retirement in the summer of 2008.














The event also highlighted the international focus of our university by hosting an international food fair showcasing traditional foods from each of the countries our students represent (students from Moldova show their traditional costume & food above). The day concluded with a symbolic recognition of LCC's host country with a stellar performance of traditional Lithuanian folk dancing & music by the nationally-acclaimed "Lietuva."

The 1st day of school!

In Lithuania, September 1st is always the first day of school...even if it's on a weekend. It's also a national holiday & a pretty big deal! The square closest to our house hosts the big annual "first day of school" event & Ieva and I ran down to see a bit of it. There was everything from an official speech from the mayor to a pop band performance to clowns handing out balloons to a traditional children's dance troop. Kids were all decked out & most held flowers, as they would be going to their schools after the ceremony to be welcomed, give the flower to their teacher, reconnect with their friends & then go home. And since it was Saturday, we had all the time in the world to hang out & enjoy the festivities!