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Here are photos from Dave and Yulya's wedding reception at our mom's house in Ballard. After moving to Seattle from Moscow, Russia, in July, they had 90 days to get married before Yulya's spousal visa would expire. In August they went to our friend, Pat's house and he and his wife Nadia put on a little ceremony for them, but because there were no family or friends there, they threw a party about a month later so everyone could celebrate with them. It was nice and intimate with about 40 friends and family. Mom and Dad sprung for some catering and a bunch of beer and wine. They put up several strings of Christmas lights and tiki torches and together with Dad's fire pit, they turned the yard into a warm, festive scene. Intead of doing some kind of ceremony (because they were already married), Dave and Yulya put on a Russian trivia game. After all the prizes were distributed, Aaron got up to give a toast and much to everyone's pleasure, he read a poem he wrote for them. By this time it was getting pretty late and the cool September night settled on the party. People began trickling out and among those who stayed, the women headed inside and the boys hung out outside by the fire until closing time at Mom's.

FROM RUSSIA WITH HEART
    by Aaron Riensche

There once was a man named Dave
Who captured the world in colorful paint
He painted people and faces, ostriches and giraffes
A girl with life saver, and Baby Dave just for laughs

But for Davy, it seemed, something wasn't quite right
He was moody and edgy, and lost cash in bar fights
So he packed up his eisel and flew o'er the North Pole
And landed in Moscow to search for his soul

And there he met a girl by the name of Yulya
Who didn't mind if he kept her up while he drank his vodka
And he fell right in love, he couldn't disguise
With her movie star smile and her patient sad eyes

A Russian with a talent for graphic design
An American who paints things, it seemed like a sign
So one day Dave said, "Yulya, be my girl."
And she said, "Okay, Dave, take me to the New World."

So now we admire, like a fine piece of art
This couple who came from Russia with heart
Forever united, like perestroika and glasnost
So hold up your glasses, and we'll give them a toast