KRR Returns to Jakarta!

Amid much fanfare and hype, a "Kenny Rogers Rosters Chicken" restaurant opened up in Jakarta a few days ago! To commemorate this special occasion, and to sample the delights for freshly roasted 'ayam', Mark and Bella headed over to PIM2 for a scrumptious lunch.

Bella smiles in front of Jakarta's newest 'hot-spot'.


Evoking memories of cold Dutch beer Kenny Rogers now offers some of the best chicken in the country.


Bella's favorite part of her lunch... a freshly baked chocolate muffin!


Good food in a clean and orderly environment... almost too much to ask for in Jakarta, but Kenny Rogers delivers the goods!

Another Day... Another Donut!

A few days ago Mark and the little Bellsters went out for breakfast.... to our favorite restaurant, located only a ten minute walk or 2 minute drive from our house!

Bella gets ready to get of the car we are borrowing for the summer. What is that sign behind the car...?


Yes it is! America's favorite donuts.


The breakfast of champions! Nothing like a healthy meal to kick off the day.

Packing for the Big Move

As our impending return to Jakarta is rapidly approaching, Icha and I are busily loading up on things not available in Jakarta. For Mark this means clothes that actually fit! Yesterday a very special package came in the mail....

Bella checks out the big box.


Bella helps out Mark and opens up the box.


What a fantastic shirt...!


A fresh new outfit for Mark... and a new place to hang out in for the little Bellsters.

Family Camp at Ravencliff!

This past weekend the three of us went up to Redway, California to attend YMCA Camp Ravencliff's Family Camp. Mark worked 7 summers at Ravencliff as a counselor and director back in the 90's. It was a great time and very surreal (and wonderful) to watch Bella tool around Ravencliff... and to play with the kids of many of Mark's old co-workers from 'back in the day.'

Icha walks Bella and Lily (Anne Marie's daughter) down to the 'line-up' area of camp.


It was a weekend of firsts for Bella: her first time playing foos-ball! A requirement for success in American universities.


Bella rode a canoe for the first time!


Bella and Mark lounge around in the lodge.


Bella played ping pong for the first time!


On Saturday evening there was a carnival! Bella got a flower and butterfly painted on her face.


Mark and Bella went swimming Sunday in the river... only for a few minutes as it was cold!


Bella loved playing with Lily all weekend! By Sunday she was calling Lily her 'sister.'


Ravencliff is a very rustic camp... but we still managed to bring a little technology into our cabin.

Bella's New Watch

Yesterday Bella got her very first watch! A parent in Mark's class gave her a new "Dora" watch. Bella was ecstatic and immediately put on her new time piece.

Bella hams is up for the camera.


Bella shows her daddy her new watch.


The first of many, many fashion accessories to come.

End of the Year Picnic

Last Sunday the families in Mark's kindergarten class were kind enough to put on a 'goodbye picnic' at a local park. It was great fun... and a very nice way to cap off an excellent year teaching at Bullis-Purissima school in the Los Altos School District.

Mark, Bella and a bunch of kids from Room 4 smile.


Time for some cake!


Bella took her piece of cake and then retired to the grass to eat.


Yummy!


After a load of sugar and chocolate Bella was ready to try out some new dance moves by herself!

Visiting Jermosa

Last Saturday the three of us drove up to Sacramento to visit Mark's childhood friend: Jerry "Jermosa" D'Onforio. Mark and Jerry have been good buddies ever since Jerry showed up from Michigan during the 6th grade back at Van Auken Elementary in Palo Alto.

On the way up we stopped to buy arm floaties for Bella... she preferred to use them as a hat!


The Bellsters and her Daddy in the pool.


Mark and Bella fooling around in the pool.


After swimming Bella and Bree (Jerry's daughter) played a spirited game of "Pretty Pretty Princess."


In the afternoon we headed over to Orangevale to check out "Pow Wow Days" - a country fair like event. Bree gets ready to kick Jerry's butt in a game of skill while Bree's mommy Kris looks on.


Bree won a stuffed bear and gave it to Bella!


Bella loves her bear.


Next Jerry and Bree went for a ride in the 'Super Hanger.'


Jerry... who hadn't been on any such ride in over a decade... almost didn't make it. :-)