Daylight Savings Time Begins

Yesterday in America we all 'Sprang Forward' as daylight savings time began. This means it now gets dark around 7:45pm here in Palo Alto. To celebrate we went out for some ice cream after dinner.

Before we could leave Bella insisted that she find a 'flower for my mommy.' Here she picks a nice white flower from our house.


Icha and Bella smile in front of the ice cream store.


Baskin and Robbins! Just like back at Citos or in the basement of Sogo.


Bella needs no help getting into the ice cream store!


Bella checks out all the toppings... she chose the 'chocolate sprinkles' for her cone.


Ice cream in hand, Bella is ready to go.


Bella demonstrates the perfect "no spoon" eating technique she showed off at Ma's birthday party.


Icha and Bella smile after finishing off their ice cream.

Hawaii - day 6

Last Friday was sadly our last day in Hawaii. Our flight was at 3pm so we had time to sleep in, take our time packing, pick up some donuts and make our way to the airport. We did stop at the dollar store on the way there to grab a few souvenirs .

Bella enjoys the ride on the shuttle bus to the airport after we dropped off our rental car.


While we checked in we took the opportunity to weigh the little Bellster.


31.5 pounds. 31 pounds of kid... half a pound of donuts in the tummy!


While we were waiting for our luggage Bella wiled away the time by chatting with her friends on the phone.


A happy grandma and grandpa picked us up from the airport!


As soon as we got home, Bella had to check her email!

Hawaii - day 5

On Thursday after another hearty breakfast at "Eggs and Things" we headed over to the Waikiki Aquarium. Bella was fired up to 'see all the fishies.'

Another sunny day, clear skies and warm weather.


Bella playing with a 'little Nemo guy' from the gift shop.


Bella and Icha had a chance to play with a little hermit crab.


Bella checks out some of the fish in one of the outdoor tanks.


After the aquarium we headed over to check out Punahou School. Punahou is where Marin teaches grade 9 biology. It is a fantastic place! (it's also where Barack Obama graduated from High School) Marin and Kate were kind enough to have us over for dinner after our tour.

Hawaii - day 4

On Wednesday we spent the entire day in the Waikiki area. We woke up late and headed out, once again, for the breakfast of champions: coffee and donuts.

Another day, another donut. This time at "Leonard's" bakery, famous for their malasadas. They were good... but very subpar compared to the sensational delicacies at Agnes' the day before.


After breakfast we taught Bella how to use a parking meter. At 40 cents an hour, how can you go wrong?


We spent a few hours in the Honolulu Zoo..... located only 100 meters from the beach!


Icha and Bella looked for little slice of home: Komodo Dragons!


Bella had fun in the 'petting zoo.'


One of the coolest things I've ever seen: Galapagos Turtles. These things were HUGE!


After the zoo Bella got in her shopping fix. It's amazing how much she takes after her mommy!


We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening down at the beach. Mark took Bella swimming in the ocean for the first time!

Hawaii - day 3

On Tuesday we took a drive around Oahu. We left our hotel around 10am and didn't get back until about 9pm.

For breakfast we had donuts at Agnes' Bakery in Kailua in the southeast corner of the island. Mark had a "Macadamia Nut Maple" bar that he puts in the 'top 3 donuts' he has ever had in his much storied donut eating career. It was simply: fantastic.


We spent the morning at Kailua Beach. Called by some guidebooks as the 'best beach in America.' Bella loved playing 'making cookies' in the sand.


For lunch we stopped at the Turtle Bay Resort in the northeast corner of Oahu. Just a beautiful spot.


Our next stop was the world famous "Sunset Beach" on the north shore. This area is generally consider the world's greatest place to surf. Huge waves about 200 meters off shore.


Next we cut south through the center of the island and stopped by the Dole pineapple plantation.


Time for a snack! Shave ice.... a Hawaiian speciality.


Our last stop was out on the beach in front of the J.W. Marriot on the south west side of the island.


Another beautiful sunset.

Hawaii - day 2

On Monday we woke up and headed to "Eggs and Things" for breakfast. This restaurant must be listed as a 'must do' in several Japanese guidebooks to Hawaii as is was packed with Japanese tourists. Either that or Ichiro may have been spotted eating there a few years ago. Either way, we waited 45 minutes and in the end it was worth it... great food at a good price with excellent service.

Bella check's out Mark's huge plate of 'Macadamia Nut Pancakes."


Next we looked around some shops in Waikiki. Good stuff to be had... but with a trip to Bali coming this summer we didn't buy a thing.


In the afternoon we did some swimming in our hotel pool.


That evening we met up with Kate and Marin for a walk along Waikiki Beach and some dinner. Marin and Kate live only 10 minutes from the beach... rough life.


Mark, Marin and a sleeping Bella enjoy the sunset.


Not a bad place to spend the evening.

Hawaii!

Last week we packed our bags and headed to Oahu for five fun filled days! It was a great trip which ended all too soon.

Day 1 - Sunday, February 17th.

Icha and Bella get ready to head to the airport. Note the overcast skies in Palo Alto.


Bella gave 'Ma' a big hug goodbye at the airport.


Time to get on the plane.


Upon arrival Bella and Icha headed straight for their shopping fix.


We had a 'studio' room which was great! Lots of room for Bella to run around.


We met our good friends from Jakarta, Marin and Kate Dobson, for dinner. Great fish tacos!


Day 2 coming tomorrow....