July Days

July...what fun!

Did somebody say we're packing? I'm ready!!!......................


What better way to start off then a birthday party? Uncle Nate's family was in Slovakia for the summer, so we took him to our favorite Mexican restaurant: La Napolera....cheap and good! Love the sombrero!
Nani-ma, Uncle Nate, me and mama... oh, and the cake...I think I'll kick it (it's round like a ball..)Nani says, "No, don't kick that."Uncle Nate says, "Eat your toes instead."
What to do? You can't kick your cake and have it to! Oh well...


So, that was July 2nd. On July 4th we made a surprise stop-over in Orlando to visit friends of Daddy's. Elvino, Preeti and Ethan. We went to their hotel in Disney and hung out all day. It was my first time in a swimming pool. Kicking!!!Delighted!!!


VACATION TIME!!!!!

We went to Burnsville, NC where dada and mama had their honeymoon! A friend from church lent us their cabin. It's in Mountain Air Country Club on top of a mountain (everything is mountain in NC!). The weather was pristine - not hot and humid like Florida! Here we are: I learned to crawl up stairs, throw and chase golf balls (indoors, not on the green!), and pull electrical cords. Mama and dada were always on the lookout for me!We swam at the pool, sat in the hot tub, I watched kids playing ping pong, air hockey and mama and dada play pool. We watched Toy Story II and Monk, ate out on the deck, went to a nature center, even had breakfast at the restaurant there. We took walks and rides on the golf trails, watched small planes take off and land, swung, sang, and entertained countless people!

A big highlight was our friends, Nag, Sheela, Anesh, Vikram, Misty (baby to be), and Vikram's mom visit us. Aunty loved me!Can hardly wait to meet baby Johanna!!!!!!!!

Vikram had a birthday, so we celebrated with a pistachio cake and wild flowers!


Here's Sheela feeding Anesh...

And other photos of Nag, Sheela and Anesh Sheela (and Misty)Anesh! You are one cute kid!


A highlight for all of us was to hear Vikram and Derick "jam"! They both played together in a band in college, then at each other's weddings! Simply wonderful.. maybe an album one day? (hint,hint!)

One night we drove into Asheville and met our friends, Daniel, Lynne, Adam, Sarah, and Dillan Pearson! They are from our church in Jacksonville and moved away after Dillan was born. We had a nice meal and time at the their house. I loved watching everyone try the hool-a-hoop! that's us in their backyard! Lynne and kids came up to our cabin one afternoon. Swimming, etc.. FUN!

We tried our hands (or clubs) at golf one day. I decided not to chase golfballs, just watch.too much fun!

Our last day we went into Burnsville to mama's favorite shop: D.K. Puttyroot. It's a card/handmade papers/calligraphy and tea shop. We ate in the Indian room (they have an Oriental and African room, too). Then we walked around downtown. Lots of the buildings had murals...

this must be the "yellow brick road"

We will never forget the beautiful sunrises and sunsets viewed from our deck. Amma and Misty were both inspired to paint watercolors of them (paintings not included here..)




See God's brushstrokes of color across the sky! Praise His matchless Name!!!


Well, as all good blogs must come to an end, let me leave you with some child-like wonder:

Raja, you make flowers seem more beautiful!!!

Laughter squealing..
golf balls racing across hardwood floors, walker whizzing across the deck, bits of red flowers picked and strewn, splashing and watching water fall, crawling on restaurant floors, discovering first book (on dinosaurs), countless attempts on climbing stairs, making friends with that endless smile, and giving parents a reason to sell the small car for a van (that's later...)

God is good. His big (mountains) creations and small (babies) never cease to give us wonder and a reason to praise Him.

You all have a wonder-full day and we'll be back real soon!

Derick, Sarah and baby Raja