From Argentina to California Just in Time for Birthdays

Today, June 21, is my grandson, Evan's 17th birthday!  Parents Tim and Cheryl, and Evan's sister, Michelle, invited me to share the day with them. Michelle is home for the summer after her first year at Azuza Pacific University.  She celebrates her 19th birthday next week.

Starting last year Tim and Cheryl have been hosting two Chinese boys who are attending Modesto Christian School.  Tyler is presently in China during the summer break, but John is still with them for a few more days.

At 9 AM we sat down to enjoy watching World Cup Soccer... Argentina vs Iran.  Argentina is famous for their forward, the feared Leonel Messi.  But repeatedly Argentina missed their shots and Iran did an incredible job of defending their goal and even a couple of times threatened to take the lead.  Finally in the last minutes Messi was able to score and we all shouted in relief for the Argentina's victory!  I could almost hear the Argentines shouting clear up here in California.

Then Evan wanted to show me John's latest acquisition, a high-end remote controlled car.  

We took it to a vacant parking lot. Both John and Evan can control it well. They claim that it can go from 0 to 70 mph in seconds on pavement... Powerful!  

On the raw dirt its wheels were throwing rocks up to 10 feet away.  

It's a man thing.  Everybody knows that men are into powerful stuff. 

From there we all went to the Texas Roadhouse for BBQ ribs... The waiters made Evan sit on a saddle while everybody sang Happy Birthday to him.

Now comes the big news:  Evan is invited to accompany John on his trip back to his home in China and to stay a whole month!  John's parents will take him to visit many of China's wonders including the Great Wall.  Evan and John leave next Wednesday.  It will be Evan's first time away from home for such a long period of time. 

Evan openly displays his love for his parents and his sister.  I have never before seen two siblings so close and loving!  

Mom, Dad, sister and grandpa will all miss Evan greatly... 

He will without doubt enjoy China's many wonders... 

but after a month in Asia, I have a feeling he will know: "There is no place like home!"

Grandpa Ralph