Welcome to 2014!

Talin, my little boy, you are getting so huge!  I cannot belive you are going to be 5 this year.  But even though you're big, you're still my little boy.  You've turned out to be such a great toddler.  You're very sweet, loving and praternalistic.  You always offer to help and when daddy is out working in the yard, you are always willing to pitch in and work your heart out.

I am so sorry that it took so long to write my blog entries.  Last year just flew by, with our trip to india and with the house having major re-construction.  I'll start with our india trip.  We left in June to go for three weeks to india and the Maldives.  We got to meet your family from mom's side of the family -- which was lovely.  We stayed in Kochin first and had fun visiting Ammuma's sisiters and aunties.  It was so fun getting to know them.  We also took time and went to do some adventurous things like going to a river and helping to wash elephants -- which was so fun.  We also went to a resort where they took us on a boat to view the backwaters of India and viewing how people live in rural areas.  You all got to look at fish and see how they live -- and even saw what old Kerala homes look like.  There is one story Talin I have to tell you.  One day, we decided to visit Thatha's sister who lived 3.5 hours away by car.  It was raining and a hard drive.  We wanted to leave the kids with Amuma and her sisters so that you all wouldn't be cooped up in a car for that long.  Well -- you wanted to go and insisted that you go with us.   So we took you.  I have to say Talin, there are not many 4 year olds that could make that trip.  You were incredible, even when you were hungry and we were stopping to buy bannanas and oranges for you to eat.  You loved meeting your Aunt and she gave you a chocolate bar. 

The next part of the trip, we went to the Maldives and landed on a little strip of land in the middle of the Indian Ocean.  We hoped a boat and you all loved being on the boat as it took us to our resort.  The resort was lovely and served western food -- so you all refueled up again.  You had a blast playing on the beach, in the ocean and the pool.  Our little house was only 20 ft. from the water's edge -- it was stunning.  After 4 days of sun and fun, we tralved to Trivandrum and stayed at Thatha's house.  We visited some more friends and family and then went down to Kovalam for 2 days.  Our hotel was unremarkable and it was cold and wet the first day, but the second day we went to visit a Taj resort and the pool was awesome -- you and Rohin and Aeowyn spent the day climbing the little island in the pool and jumping in.  It was so fun.

When we got back, we ended up coming back to a messy house as it was under construction. We finally finished the work in December. 

Xmas was also fun, we had all our family with us and you Talin LOVE holidays.   I never met someone with so much spirirt.  When we went to Safeway, I told the kids that you all could buy a toy.  What did you buy?  A norfolk pine Christmas tree!  Yes!  We brought it home and put on lights, decorations and candy canes almost a month before Xmas.  You also love to drive the train underneath the Xmas tree and really enjoyed putting up the tree.  You wrote your note to Santa Clause and kept talking about Xmas.  Xmas day brought lots and lots of presents, which you loved. 

Otherwise Talin, you're really truning into an awesome little boy.  Daddy and mommy are so proud of you.  I remember one night recently, when I was laying down with you at night (happens almost nightly), you and I had such an awesome conversation.  It was a pleasure speaking with you and you're such a good listener and speaker.  It's a pleasure being your daddy Talin.  Mommy and daddy love you so much!