Christmas in Bali pt II

Given we were in the tropics... for Christmas dinner we had something a little less conventional....


Fresh coconut!


While Icha was paying our bill and getting Jake and his stuff packed up, Mark and Bella snuck off next door to the tattoo palor...


Bella checks out her new tat.... a butterfly on her hand!


The next day we moved to a new hotel right on the beach.


Jake shows off his new beach shirt..... and puts Bella's shoes to good use.


After the beach we went for a swim in our hotel pool.


Mark throws Jake high in the air!


After a long day of fun, swimming and loafing.. Jake was ready for a big meal.

Christmas in Bali pt I

For Christmas this year we decided to stay in Indonesia... but had to get out of Jakarta. With Bali only a 90 minute flight away it was the perfect place for us to send the holidays. We started our 10 day trip with two nights at the beautiful Meridien Nirwana out by Tanah Lot.

While Icha and Bella sleep in on Christmas morning, Mark and Jake went for a walk. First stop: a lovely little cabana overlooking the Indian Ocean.


Jake enjoys the view at breakfast while munching on a packet of artificial sweetner.... nothing but the finest for our boy!


Here comes mommy and Bella! As you can see Bella wore her Christmas finest to breakfast.


After breakfast we headed back out to the cabana to enjoy the view.


While we were very sad not to be in America for Christmas.... being here made things a bit easier :-)


And through the power of the internet we were able to say hello to our family back in the US. Here Bella show here cousin Lauren her "Christmas Dora!"

Lollipops!

This morning we took advantage of a holiday here in Jakarta to drive up to Lollipops in Senayan City. Lollipops is one of, if not the, best indoor play area for kids in Jakarta.

Mark wonders if the Niners can beat the Eagles this Sunday while pushing Jake around.


Jake shows he's ready to start driving by himself!


Bella... ever so shy for the camera.... gets ready for the Flying Fox with her friend Ayla.


Bella climbs her way up the ladder....



Bella gets properly (we hope!) strapped in...


And away she goes!


Bella had a great time on this trampoline as well... check out how high she goes!

Holiday Concert for the Parents

This morning was the Holiday Concert for Parents here at Pattimura. Check out little Bella all dressed up!

Bella gets ready to bust out with a nice rendition of Jingle Bells.


Bella was all smiles during the show.

More Daddies and Daughters

A few more pictures from our recent trip to Bandung!

Bella and Kayla smile on their ride through the hotel lobby.


Bella belts out a song while climbing through the trees.


Giant hamsters...? No! Just our kids having fun.


The Daddies and Daughters smile before boarding the train back to Jakarta.


The four musketeers smile as they get on the train.

Bella Sings!

This morning was the "Holiday Concert" here at Pattimura. During this show Bella's class was one eight classes up on stage! So while she got a chance to sing... it wasn't quite the 'up in front' performance of concerts past (i.e. Spring Concert at PEL 2009 or the classic LAPP End of the Year show in 2008!)

Our little angel shows off her new stylish hair-do while singing "Jingle Bells"


Bella getting into the Holiday Spirit!


More photos about the Daddies and Daughters trip to come...

Daddies and Daughters Pt II

The next day we all got up, had some breakfast, went for a pony ride, took a quick swim and then drove out to a volcano not too far from our hotel.


Bella and Ayla smile close to the rim of the dormant, yet stinky, volcano.


Bella, Jurrien and Ayla show just how bad it smelled!


The girls had fun climbing the trees.


After the volcano we stopped at little park... great fun!


The girls had a great time on this little 'Cup of Pain' --- not quite as extreme as the original 'Cups of Pain' found at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk... or the 'Junior Cups of Pain' at Disneyland.... but good fun.


After the park we stopped by a strawberry farm to pick up some yummy fresh fruit.


Bella loved picking strawberries for 'mommy.'


On the grounds of the strawberry fields were a few fun things for the kids to do.... including a very high "Flying Fox!" -- Bella showed no fear and jumped right on, while Mark nearly collapsed in a fit of panic.


Away she goes....


Bella LOVED it and wanted to go on a second time... but fearing a heart attack Mark had to say no.

Daddies and Daughters Pt I

Proving that real men can bond with their daughters.... this past weekend Mark and three buddies from JIS all took their little girls away for the weekend. The official "Daddies and Daughters Trip #1" was a HUGE success! Everyone had a sensational time... and we are already making plans for our next trip. Bali... November 2010?

Jurrien & Ayla, Mark & Bella, Scotty & Kayla and Butch & Mariska pose before heading north from Pattimura to the main Jakarta Train Station.


With the aide of modern electronics, the train ride was fun for everyone!


Upon arrival at our hotel in Bandung, the girls got a ride with our luggage.


Bella all ready for bed...


More to come....

Jake showing just how smart he is!

As parents we are eternally proud of our kids... and believe them to be, of course, absolutely brilliant. The other day we found out just how smart Jake really is. As we were packing up to go somewhere we left him alone on the floor for a few minutes. He made right for Icha's wallet...!

Jake opens up Icha's wallet and goes right for the money!


Each of those bills is 100,000 rupiah (about $11.00)


Jake shows his true 'capitalist' American side!


The gears are moving inside his head: "how can I get more?"

Jake on the Move!

One of the drawbacks about living in Jakarta is the complete lack of public parks for us to take the kids. Fortunately to make up for this there are a number of high quality "indoor play areas" for kids! A few days ago Mark took Jake to one such place -- "Kidsport" -- the boy had a great time! He really is growing up fast.

Jake gets ready to crawl up a slide.


The boy sees his dad... and makes a b-line towards Mark!


Jake practicing his culinary skills.


In the ball pit! Or should we call it the 'germ pit?'


Jake shows that he is ready to start baseball, basketball or perhaps golf?


A happy day!


What a big boy..... growing up all too fast!