Bri is the oldest in his family and his parents had four daughters before his younger brother Gord was born twelve years later. So when Bri's sister Lisa met and married a great guy named Rich, Bri really bonded with his new brother-in-law both at BYU when they were all there together and later when Bri was in grad school in Champaign and Lisa and Rich lived in Chicago. We lived close to each other in Utah for several years as well, and my kids absolutely adore Rich and Lisa and their kids. So when Rich told Bri that they would be coming to Riga for a few days on the tail end of a trip to England where Rich's family is from, we were all very excited to have them.
Lisa and Rich made it through the airport on a Tuesday night in just under an hour (what is with that processing time!!!) after Lisa borrowed a phone and Bri was able to explain in Russian to the intake officer who he was and that these were his guests. Bri took the next day off, and after getting the kids off to school, Lisa and Rich woke up, we ate breakfast together, and we all headed into Riga to explore. We took them on our "greatest hits" tour from the presidential palace through the Dome Square, on to the Convent Yard and St. John's church.
We also stopped by the statue of the Bremen Town Singers (animals) and St. Peter's cathedral.
Amazing stain glass!
Lunch at Province, Latvian Cuisine.
And lastly, the House of the Blackheads.
We then pushed on to the Central Market's zeppelin hangers, and Rich and Lisa enjoyed some pastries and donuts along with the pre-war vibe and heavy Russian presence there. We had fun trying to figure out what the meats were in the meat hanger as well. ;) We made it back to the car and home to pick up the kids from school, who were overjoyed to see Rich and Lisa for their first time. Rich and Lisa were good to humor us, playing games and hanging out with the kids as Bri made dinner and we caught up.
And lastly, the House of the Blackheads.
We then pushed on to the Central Market's zeppelin hangers, and Rich and Lisa enjoyed some pastries and donuts along with the pre-war vibe and heavy Russian presence there. We had fun trying to figure out what the meats were in the meat hanger as well. ;) We made it back to the car and home to pick up the kids from school, who were overjoyed to see Rich and Lisa for their first time. Rich and Lisa were good to humor us, playing games and hanging out with the kids as Bri made dinner and we caught up.
Next morning Rich slept in a bit (late night conference call – hard to be nine hours ahead of Utah), and I caught up with Rich and Lisa at home in the morning before we all headed to the embassy for lunch with Bri. Bri gave them the tour and introduced them to his staff in consular, and we had a nice lunch. After lunch, we said goodbye to Bri, Lisa and Rich dropped me off at the house, and the two of them took the van and went exploring at the beach in Jurmala and up the coast for a few hours. That night, we again caught up and played games (including "what would you rather--this or that?") and enjoyed having our family close to us.
Rhea snuck out of bed for one last "goodbye" and "I love you" before going to bed.
Friday morning, Bri got up early with Rich and Lisa and prepared to go to the airport. The kids all wanted to say goodbye and got up and gave hugs and kisses before they left for the airport. The visit was great and we loved catching up with Rich and Lisa. We're trying to talk them into coming back when it's warm and there's green again – we're so glad they came and saw us!
Rhea snuck out of bed for one last "goodbye" and "I love you" before going to bed.
Friday morning, Bri got up early with Rich and Lisa and prepared to go to the airport. The kids all wanted to say goodbye and got up and gave hugs and kisses before they left for the airport. The visit was great and we loved catching up with Rich and Lisa. We're trying to talk them into coming back when it's warm and there's green again – we're so glad they came and saw us!
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