Happy Holidays!

This year as part of our Christmas celebrations we exchanged gifts with Mark's parents (Mike and Flo) and one of Mark's sisters (Maria) on Christmas eve. It was good fun.... and Bella loved opening presents!

Bella reads "Dora's Christmas" with her "auntie Ria" before opening presents


Bella plays with her "Dora cards" -- a gift from Maria


Icha smiles as she opens a gift


Bella was very, very excited to get a 'Dora sippy cup' from her mom and dad


More Starbucks' for Pa!

Bowling!

To celebrate the start of the winter holiday, Mark, Icha and Bella went bowling last Friday!

Bella gets some bowling tips from Ma


Icha shows off her professional form as she bowls a strike


Bella finds some 'help' in the form of a 'bowling ramp'


The ramp pays off.... Bella celebrates after knocking down a few pins!

Cookies at Julie's House!

This afternoon Mark, Icha and Bella went to Julie Duff's house up in Oakland for a cookie decorating party. Julie is an old friend of Mark's from the 'lacrosse days' and was kind enough to bring her pony down to Bella's birthday party a couple of weeks ago.

Bella decorates her cookie.


Cowgirl Bella rides on Figeuroa inside Julie's house!

Bella Goes to the Doctor

A few days ago we took Bella to the doctor for her "3 Year Old Check-up." Bella is fascinated by doctors, loves books about doctors and claims she 'wants to be a doctor when she grows up.' Whether or not that really happens remains to be seen.... but what we do know is that Bella had a lot of fun during her check-up and was given a clean bill of health.

Bella points out various shapes to the nurse. She is ready to pass the eye exam at the Jakarta Driver's License office!


Icha smiles while Bella gets her blood pressure checked.

Hanging out at "Daddy's School"

Every now and then Bella comes to Mark's school to play. Today Bella came dressed in one of her super cute "Christmas Outfits!"

Bella plays with her 'sticks.'


Bella gets ready to blow Mark's whistle... yikes!


Bella shows she is ready to start kindergarten already. :-)

Bella's First Bike!

For her birthday Bella was given a Dora Tricycle by our good friends and next door neighbors, John & Mary Scouffas and their son, Mark's good buddy, Rick.

Bella smiles with John and Mary on her tricycle.


Bella motoring around the kitchen.


Bella makes a stop at the fridge to get a snack before riding off into the living room.


THANK YOU John, Mary and Rick! Bella LOVES her bike!

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.