Beach House

After a couple of weeks of lounging around Palo Alto (and a boy's trip to Vegas for Mark) we all piled into Pa's Pilot and drove down to Oxnard (about an hour south of Santa Barbara) to spend a week with Michele and her family at a sweet beach house.

Bella and her cousins Jordan and Lauren had a sensational time playing together all week.


Icha, Bella and Jake smile... the little guy is growing up!


Bella loved playing in and around the water all week.


A sunset walk... only minutes from our house!


Who are these two....?


We even managed to squeeze in a little exercise during the week.


The rough life....

The Summer of 2009

At long last we have found some time to update our blog! It's been a great summer vacation thus far and we have been busy, busy, busy!

Summer vacation officially began for us on Saturday, June 20th when we loaded up our Kijang with our goods, drove to (where else?) Dunkin Donuts and then onto the airport for yet another hop over the big pond.

Our first stop at the airport.... one last true Indonesian meal!


Jake, Bella and Icha smile as we wait to check-in for our flight.


During our lay-over in Taipei we had some time to hang out.... Jake ever the happy boy loved spending time standing up against a glass window while Bella diligently checked her teeth... always hopeful to find a loose one.


Made it to San Francisco safe and sound we gathered up our luggage... and...


Bella was mobbed by her 5 "American Cousins" in a very happy homecoming!


To help stave off jet-lag, we pulled Pa out of bed the next morning and went up to Starbucks.

Hitting the Pool

A couple of weeks ago we headed out to Lippo Karwaci in West Jakarta for three days of fun in a nice hotel. Bella and Jake had a chance to show off their aquatic prowess!

Bella can now swim a good 20 feet all by herself.



Jake takes his first few steps into the pool...

The "Real" Concert

Today was the 'official' EC1 concert as yesterday was actually a dress rehersal. This morning over 250 parents packed the Pattimura Theater to watch the pre-schoolers, kindergartners and grade one kids put on a great show! Before the show we encouraged Bella to 'do her best,' 'sing real loud' and be sure to 'look out at the audience.'

Did we go too far.....?

You be the judge!

Bella's Spring Concert!

This morning was the annual "EC1 Concert" here at Pattimura. Check out our little superstar!



American Idol 2025? Absolutely!

Last Saturday was the annual "Family Fun Fair" here at JIS. This PTA run festival is always one of the most popular days of the year.... lots of fun! While Jake was home napping... Bella and Mark headed to the fair for a morning of fun, excitement and healthy eating.

One of our first stops... Bella trying her hand at 'throwing a hamburger into Spongebob's mouth'


Next stop: the JISINK Tattoo parlor


Bella smiles while getting her 'Mickey Mouse' tattoo


Bella shows off her new tat... only a matter of time before she comes home with a real one!


Next we headed to the 'build a soft toy' stand. Bella 'made' a little bear for Jake and a blue dolphin for herself!


Our morning wouldn't have been complete with out an all natural, healthy snack.


Before heading home we stopped by one of the 'mist tents' to cool off with a few of Bella's classmates


It was a great day... and Bella has already asked several times if 'we can go back to the Family Fun Fair next year!'

Sitting and Crawling!

Jake is now just over 7 months old and has started to crawl around and sit up by himself! He lives the good life of eat, sleep, play, have a bath and do it all over again... always with a big smile on his face.

Jake smiles for the camera as he shows he can sit up by himself.


Still learning to sit up... Jake takes a tumble!


No worries... big smile still intact!


And away he goes... in search of another meal.