Liberty Reading to Ransom

Ransom Crawling

Our Hip Little Girl

Liberty is growing up, too. Next month she'll be 2.5!!! She talks all the time, and loves to stay busy. She is all girl, loving to dress up in nail polish, hair doo-dads, and Grandma's shoes :). She also loves to cuddle, and enjoys the sunglasses her Daddy bought her!

Ransom Is Eight Months Old!

These pics are from the last couple weeks! Our little man is growing up...he's been sitting on his own since the end of July, crawling since mid-Aug, and pulling himself up on furniture for the past month. He walks when we hold his hands, and is nearly ready to stand on his own.

Family Time

Pro Family Photos

While in California to visit Jayakar's parents, we had pro shots taken with them. We also had a family picture taken for the first time with both Ransom and Liberty. We had these taken on June 30. Then at the end of Aug we had a family shot with my parents, to celebrate Dad's retirement.

The Kids

Our Littlest Cutie in August

Jayakar

Jayakar is doing well. He continues to work for Wal-Mart, where he has been a faithful employee for over two years. His bosses love him, and it is always fun to shop there and see how his co-workers feel about him.

A Visitor From India

In August, we were thrilled to have Sam, Jayakar's brother from India, come to visit us. He is the first of Jayakar's family members to come to our home, and it was fun to get to show him our part of America.

Dad made sure Sam got out to see our green Iowa countryside, as well as enjoying a country tradition...

a truck ride! Liberty and her daddy enjoyed it, too :).

We had a great time, and the kids really enjoyed their time with Uncle Sam! Hopefully we'll see him again on his next US visit.

Growing Up

Our children are growing up so fast!

Ransom began sitting before he turned six months old. It made him a much happier baby, because then he was able to play with toys and occupy himself so much more.

Liberty and Ransom are best buddies. Ransom adores his sister, and laughs at everything she does. He thinks she's super!
Here's Ransom at six months!

In California

Jayakar's parents flew over from India in May, and spent a couple months in California with Joanna (Jayakar's sister). Jayakar flew out to see them shortly after their arrival- a surprise visit that brought them great joy :). Then, at the beginning of July, we took a trip to California as a family so our children could meet their Indian grandparents- Tata and Nainama.
Since we were already out in beautiful California, we spent a couple days having a family vacation. Drove Hy 1 along the coast, and took some back roads. Lovely, fun days.

Alaska- #50!

Alaska- state #50 for me! It was really exciting, especially since I never thought I'd get there! Jayakar missed it (just like Hawaii, he had to work), but was not too sad about this state- cold isn't his thing :). Our trip was Apr 30-May 10. We spent the first few days seeing the major sights of interior Alaska, then went to the Kenai Peninsula to spend a few days seeing my Dad's sister, Peg.
We got to see the pipeline clearly. It was fun to learn more about it.
The scenery was spectacular on the Richardson Hy, and our weather couldn't have been better.
Our first moose were observed feasting on water vegetation in a marshy lake.
Some of the typical mountains...
This was the view from the parking lot of our hotel in Glenallen.
You can see the glacier in the background, and some of the scenery along the Glenallen Hy.
Aunt Peg had gotten a lovely cabin for us, and the kids enjoyed relaxing and NOT being in car seats!

Our final tourist trip was to Homer with Aunt Peg. It was our favorite spot on the whole trip, and the scenery was breathtaking. Several years ago on our Northeast trip, we went to the furthest east point in the US (in Maine). We did our best, and reached the westernmost point accessible by road :).

God was so good to us. Our trip had perfect weather, sunny, warm days and cool clear nights; safety every step of the way; and a wonderful family time together.

Liberty Had Her Second Birthday

On May 14 (yes, I know I'm terrible at keeping up) we celebrated Liberty's second birthday. It's hard to believe we have a two-year-old in the house, but she is a delight and keeps everyone hopping!

Old Photos of Ransom

These are from way back in May...but they're too cute not to publish. Recent photos to follow soon!

Ransom Talking

Ransom loves to coo and talk now...so we thought we'd share one of our conversations!

A Very Old Video

This video was taken way back at the end of Jan! But...I never got to town with my computer to put it up on the blog! Here it is- our little cutie saying her first numbers :).

One Month Old

Our precious little man is a month old today! We can hardly believe how fast time is passing. Ransom is doing well. He cries more than Liberty did, but he also sleeps longer and without being held. Trade-off, I guess :). He is perfectly healthy, except for a tender tummy which refuses to like any spices. No more curry for me at the moment :(. His tummy isn't causing him any growing problems- he weighed 9 lb, and was 22 in long today! He is super strong; at two weeks old he started supporting his own head to look around when we carry him. He also holds his head up when he is having tummy time. A happy dude, he is already cooing, smiling, and even laughing. It is great to have a conversation with him!As for big-sister Liberty... It only took her eight months to start growing again :) and she is almost ready to move out of all month-sized clothes into 2T! She is formulating many words now, and beginning to put two words together. She runs everywhere, and has an energy level equivalent to her Grandpa- look out, World!