See you again in India someday?

Last week or so Adam said farewell to one of his first students, Nitin, and also to some new friends, Malti and her son Akshay.

Malti had Adam as her progress check pilot and they bonded as she is both a great person and a great private pilot (congrats Malti!). Akshay is one of the coolest kids we know, and became an instant buddy to Dylan when we came to visit CFA.

We took Nitin to an Indian feast (or as we say in the good ol' USA, a buffet) to a place where even he thought some of the food was spicy. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to get to know some of the people Adam works with everyday, and it is fun to hear them joke with him and shower DT with attention.

They also extended an invitation to come visit them in India. . . little did they realize I am the kind of gal who would really like to take them up on that offer. . .

Birthday Bonanza

It is wild to think that just a year ago, Adam and I were just introduced to this amazing little creature that we made! And he has turned out to be so great so far!

The DT birthday showdown was hot and busy. We had our luncheon on the grass at Big Rock Park, at the base of Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Regional Park. It is an awesome park- and we apparently we not the only people to know this. . . there were at least two other birthday parties (complete with jump-o-fun's and pinatas and princesses) and a volleyball troop. We were casual and low-key, and Dylan got to check out all the other happenings too. Our lovely friends and neighbors came to celebrate and wish our little dude well. Gramps was in town for a visit and helped me in all my crazed preparations (thanks Pops). And while I tried to keep the secret, inner control freak part of myself at bay, I did get a touch silly with the preciseness of the table arrangement- unfortunately there is no picture to prove this detail. I think Dylan had fun- he passed out afterwards like a senior after graduation day!

I am so thankful we have some good people surrounding us out here in the land of perpetual sunshine.

I am also thankful we have family visitors on a regular basis. DT and I took Gramps to Ocean Beach and it was another beautiful day, the water even felt like it was getting warmer. Dylan lured a cute little miss with his beach toys and enjoyed watching her fill a bucket with sand. He was also in awe of her advanced vocabulary and ability to communicate things she wanted (more water). He is a chick magnet.

A dude of nature

We love getting outside, especially now that Dylan is cruising! He will make a break for it when I let him loose in the park. The first picture is from a couple of weeks ago at Lake Murray, where we watched ducks and geese as we ate lunch. The other pic is from today, at a playgroup date. The grass was calling. . . Notice the sportingly handsome sweater he is wearing? Props to Auntie Shay and her crazy knitting skills- we got lots of compliments on it and it kept DT nice and cozy on a windy day, so thank you Auntie! I think you could make it a small business. . .

Only two more days to the big first birthday! DT is anxious to party!

One small step for man

Actually, lots of steps for the little man! Dylan is officially walking as of this past Friday and I know I am late to write about it. . . but I wanted to post a video that we took, and have been unsuccessful at uploading said video. He is the coolest little walker- since he has caught on he is blazing around showing off and beaming exuberance! And there is a lot of expressive jabbering to go along with it. He is trying hard to say "doggie" and to sign "more" and "fish"- or he is trying to wave- it is hard to tell.
All the running around has made him pretty tired today and he may have his last "baby" cold (also hard to tell). I can't believe he is toddling his way to his first birthday!
So, he wants to party it up (he told me), have some milky cocktails and invite all his buddies. Then they are going to cruise the park looking for chicks. I will post pictures of the festivities.
Thanks to all of you who voted in the poll. I appreciate any comments (either directly to the post or to my email), it helps to know if y'all check it out, and keeps up the motivation factor!

So, again, I don't have a picture of this, but yesterday there was a plane crash at the flight school. Adam had the day off but we drove by to check out the scene. The student who was flying it is unharmed but the plane caught fire after he evacuated and is a total loss. It even made the local news. And luckily it wasn't one of Adams' students!