trip South

Last Sunday we took a trip to Southern Trinidad to go to the water park and visit our friend Reshma's family home, where they were hosting a 7 day Hindu prayer/celebration for 300 friends/family members.

It rained all day but we had fun at the water park anyway. We didn't take pictures but flashback about 6 months ago: http://lifeofadiplocat.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html. Coincidentally, we are also eating food off of leaves in that blog too (see below). Imagine Nicholas 6 months older, independently mobile in the water with his Ohio State floaties, and going down the animal slides by himself.

Seeing our friend Reshma's house was a really cool experience. They set up a covered area outside where the prayers would be held:

and we at roti off of leaves (even better than paper plates!). On David's : the dough, channa (chickpeas and potatoes), rice and plouri, pumpkin, and bodi (like green beans)

Nicholas is amazed.

the leaves getting washed for the meal

stirring the channa

pumpkin!

Channa, bodi, and pumpkin

this is what they use to cook the dough; unfortunately they were finished by the time we arrived

Reshma, Christy, and Nicholas

Nicholas has never been to McDonalds, but our friends' son had a McDonalds play set that he outgrew, and it certainly keeps Nicholas entertained! He keeps trying to eat the cheese and the chicken nuggets.

I just like these pj's

We are looking forward to the upcoming 3 day weekend!

Down d' Islands

Last Saturday, Dad and Mom had a date-day heading Down d' Islands to wish some friends bon voyage as they move back home to D.C. Sunday was laundry and clean up day but we did manage to head over to a new park to explore.

Nicholas loved the slide with a twist!

and attempted his first pull-ups

"Here I go!"

"Down d' Islands":


We thought this might be "d' boat", but it was not.

this one was, though!


d' house

d' host, and d' guests of honor

d' boat ride

d' kitchen

d' view

A few quick pics from the weekend before:

Nicholas loves riding around in his new wheels!

At the beach, 19 weeks pregnant. Christy's at 21 weeks now, and tomorrow we head to the doctor for a 3d/4d ultrasound which in addition to letting the doctor check out all baby's organs, should also tell us whether we're having a baby boy or a baby girl! Can't wait!

Father's Day, July 4th, and other happenings

It's been a fun month of June. Busy with work, David was the Control Officer for the visit of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY) to Trinidad and Tobago. We had a few local holidays and spent Corpus Christi at the beach, as the sun was out in defiance of rainy season. We enjoyed a quiet Father's Day relaxing at home, as well as 4th of July. We read books about the 4th of July with Nicholas (thanks GG and Grandpa Rhodes!) and he can't wait to see the fireworks (the "boom, boom, booms") next year. This year we had to settle for the televised version. Here are some pics of Father's Day, 4th of July, and a few random photos in between:


4th of July at our neighbor's apartment's pool

daddy's sunglasses are soooo cool.

ocean view

"stop!" no more pictures!

in my red, white, and blue!

Mommy and Nicholas dressed up for 4th of July

"O--H--...."

Nicholas loves the spinny chairs at Haagen Daz at Westmall.

burgers and watermelon for 4th of July dinner!

too many toys?

look at this cool tower Nicholas built all by himself!

This was the day we got trapped downtown because of crazy traffic and decided to wait it out by having brunch at the Hyatt. Nicholas is giving daddy his "tough guy" face.

new shoes!

ready to head to the park!

Another Hyatt afternoon--the conference room floor is a good place to run around and let off some steam on a rainy day.

And these are our Father's Day father-son portraits: