Bella's Birthday Party!

Last Saturday we had a party to celebrate Bella's third birthday. Bella loves Dora and wanted a 'Dora cake' -- Bella did her part, coming to the festivities dressed as the little explorer. It was a great time with about 20 kids from Bella's 'American' family, her preschool and some of Mark's friend's kids.... and one special surprise visitor: Figueroa the pony!

Icha decorates the house in preparation for the party.


Mark's long time friend, Julie Duff, gets the kids excited to meet her pony.


Bella's cousin Ryan takes a ride on Figueroa!


Bella and her proud parents smile before bringing out the cake.


Time for to sing "Happy Birthday!"


Bella checks out her Dora cake along with her cousins.


True to form: all the other kids are done eating and off playing.... one child remains.

Tahoe!

Last week we took a mini road trip up to Lake Tahoe. It was good fun and the first time Icha's parents and Bella have ever been in really cold weather. We left the Bay Area on Tuesday around noon, spent two nights at the Squaw Valley lodge and then drove home on Thursday morning in time for Thanksgiving dinner at Mark's sister's house.

On Tuesday night we went for a walk in the Squaw Valley village. Bella shows she's ready to go Christmas carolling!


Bella smiles with "Mia" and "Kiki" high at 8200 feet.


Mark and Icha smile in front of what little snow has fallen at Squaw Valley.

The next Michelle Kwan?

Last Wednesday we took Bella ICE SKATING! We took a two day trip up to Squaw Valley along with all four of Bella's grandparents. While there was really no snow to be seen, it was quite cold. On Wednesday morning we took the Squaw Valley gondola up to the top of the mountain where the 'world's highest olypmpic sized ice skating rink' is located. Bella did a great job!

First 'Ma' and mommy help Bella get her skates on.


Bella gets creative in her first go at walking in skates.


Time to get out on the ice!


First time for Bella... first time for Mark in ten years!


After a few minutes we got the hang of it!


Will Bella be the first person to represent Indonesia in the Olypmic Winter games? Time will tell....

Happy Birthday Bella!

Our little baby is officially our little toddler. Bella turned THREE on Monday! To celebrate we took her out to dinner with both sets of her grandparents. When we came home we had a small 'party.' The big party is this Saturday. Should be fun.

Bella gets ready to blow out her candles.


Bella's Indonesian grandparents gave her a 'Diego Rescue Pack' for her birthday.


Bella's American grandparents gave her a 'Diego Magic Coloring Kit.'


From Mommy and Daddy.... Bella got a Dora Bicycle!


Bella kisses her daddy -- clearly she loved the bike!

Mia and Kiki!

Icha'a parents arrived from Jakarta last night! They will be staying with us for the next two weeks. Needless to say Bella was (and still is) VERY excited to see them.

Bella and 'Mia' at the San Francisco airport yesterday.


Bella and her 'Indonesian Grandmother' hold hands.


This morning we all went out for a nice breakfast. No bubur ayam or mie goreng here!


After breakfast we did a bit of shopping at Target. Note how happy Icha's parents are to be able to walk around freely when shopping.... no shop girl every 5 feet trying to sell some uneeded product!


Bella shows off her 'Diego dominos' to Icha's mom on our living room couch.


Icha's parents came to the states for a visit two summers ago.... that trip was her mom's first time on an airplane! They've never been in cold weather before, we head for to Tahoe and the snow on Tuesday.... should be great fun.

Camping!

Last weekend (November 2nd to the 4th) Mark, Icha and Bella all went camping with Mark's parents! We all camped out at Big Basin state park in the mountains between the bay area and the pacific coast. On Saturday Mark's brother in law, Brett, and two of Bella's cousins (Jordan and Lauren) came over to camp as well. Good fun all the way around.

Mark and Bella go for a hike amongst the redwoods.


Mark, Icha, and Flo (Mark's mom) enjoy a hearty breakfast.


Bella and her cousins having lunch.


Brett and the girls check out pictures on his camera.


Mark and Icha around the campfire.

Happy Halloween!

Last night was Halloween here in the USA. Mark, Icha and Bella all went over to Mark's sister Michele's house in nearby Sunnyvale for a parade, party and some serious trick-or-treating. Bella LOVED being Dora and had a fantastic time.

Dora and Diego smile for the camera.


Bella smiles with her cousin Brooke.


Dora and Diego keep an eye out for Swiper as they go on their adventure... all in the pursuit of candy!


Bella walks the parade with her cousins Lauren and Jordan and her auntie 'Shell-shell' ---- ah.. we're not eactly sure what she is dressed up as... big duck? Daisy? Giant freakish thingy...?


Bella lines up at a neighbor's door with her cousins.


Bella looks over her spoils after a night of hard work.