These really are some random pictures from our time in the US. I was okay at taking pictures when it came to some big things like Disney or NYC or Hawaii. When we were hanging with our friends and families, I really did just that--hang out and soak up time with them. But, every now and then, I'd snap some "random pictures." So, here they are. It's not an organized post of what all we did, nor does it necessary reflect only the "most important" highlights--some are definitely missing. But, it is what it is...and it's about time I shared it!
We spent a LOT of times in the car driving here and there and everywhere!
One day, when Sarala and the boys were having a hard time,
I traded places with her for a little while and got to be the princess in the back seat! ;)
Car seats were a big change for us!
We loved so much nature, and we got to spend a couple of days at Look-Up Lodge!
One day in the winter--where hiking, paddleboating, playing at the ballcourts,
and hanging with the Boones is how we spent most of our time.
We got to visit some other friends in VA after some meetings,
and they took us for a fun, chilly walk on the James River.
Me and Sarala trading glasses!
How could I leave this amazing picture off our Hawaii/Hollywood post????
This just makes my mouth water right now!!!
I'd LOVE a good burger, greasy french fries, and a Dr. Pepper....it will be a while!!!
Gray got to go back to our "old neighborhood" for a retreat and enjoy HHI! Ahhhh!
We spent some time in Charleston with some great friends and a wonderful church.
The Kulps were beginning a sabbatical for their family,
and we were blessed to spend some more time with them!
This is the only picture I have from when the guys took the kids to Fort Sumter while Mary and I hung out.
We went to Asheville, NC to spend a weekend at a "reunion" with Clemson college friends.
This was such a relaxing and incredible weekend away with such dear friends.
We left late our last night with our friends in Asheville to drive to Topsail Beach to spend with the whole Gainor clan--Gray's parents, both of his brothers and their families and us. It was a blast! Gray's parents kept our kids while we were in Asheville and took them ahead to the beach already! We were crazy and drove straight from Asheville all the way to the beach, arriving at 3am! I didn't take a single picture the whole week. I think at this point, I was just tired and was just soaking up our time with family and friends.
Here is a picture of the all the grandkids in Wolfpack shirts made by our friend Bianca!
Both of my sister-in-laws have posted some great posts on their blogs. Check them out!
Christina posted about the beach here and here.
Lauren posted about the beach here and here.
Gray took Sarala on her first Daddy-daughter date to Trio, downtown Greenville.
They had so much fun!
Gigi made some Indian food a couple of times, and the only problem was that there wasn't enough. ;)
Visiting with our dear friend, Lauren, who had spent 6 months with us in India!
We enjoyed some fun, lazy days at home playing in the yard, playing games, and just being!
One of our favorite games at "our house" was Life. It was so much fun!
We may just buy it soon to have here in India too!
Wint discovered that our family has "movie night" and now he doesn't miss a single one!
The boys showed their love for their Mickeys they got when we went to Disney.
Both of these sweet pictures were taken the exact same night! Sweet!
Sweet, innocent little baby became and sneaky, fun toddler!!!!
I drank more Dr. Pepper and Cherry Limeades in 5 months than I probably consumed in the last 5 years!
Seriously, my last day in the US, I drank 96 fl ounces of Dr Pepper
while doing last minute shopping at Target--free refills!!!
while doing last minute shopping at Target--free refills!!!
This is at a fun, new coffee shop in Clemson.
If you know your international currency--ahem!!!
You'll see there are 4 very dear ones to us all right together.
Thai Baht, Euro, Slovak Crown, and Indian Rupees! How fun!
We LOVED the house we stayed in. It was out in the middle of nowhere with so much land.
It was quiet, fun, and a blessing.
Bonus that it had one of the largest 4-leaf clover patches we'd ever seen!
Playgrounds, playgrounds, playgrounds!!!
They abound in America!!!
They are generally safe, fun, clean, everywhere, and we LOVED some playground time!
We loved being in VA for some special meetings, hanging out with "similar friends," and going to class!
We were reminded of so much that week and left very refreshed and very ready to come back to India.
Enjoyed some museum time with our cousins
(and playgrounds and Gigi and Grandy's yard and sleepovers).
(and playgrounds and Gigi and Grandy's yard and sleepovers).
We quietly celebrated Easter by simply dying eggs (and eating them like we always do).
After enjoying worshipping at Crosspoint, we left for a week in Virginia.
These pictures are clearly out of order!
These pictures are clearly out of order!
Sarala found her favorite Indian snack at an Indian grocery store!
Nature, nature, nature and outside beauty was one of my favorite things in the US.
One day I taught the kids to make clover flower necklaces!
We went back to Look-up for some more time in the summer!
We enjoyed camp life and hanging with the campers during freetime.
We did the swing, zipline, waterslide, meals, and funtime.
The rain and thunderstorms cut our time a little bit,
but it was still incredible, and I hope our kids can do camp one day!
Here is a video of the fun swing ride!
Though Gray really blew our 10 year anniversary out of the water planning our trip to Hawaii in April...
he surprised me yet again on our 10th anniversary and took me downtown Greenville for a night at the Westin!
I thought we were simply going out to dinner. Man was I surprised!!!
I still have a couple of more posts from our time with our families, and
then, we'll be about caught up to our first days back here in India!
