Comin' to America...

Hey - We're on our way to the US!!

We have a 4 hour flight to Dubai, a 2 hour layover, then a 16 hour flight direct to SF!! Incredible! Wish us luck flying for that long with two kids!

Annika's new toy

Annika's new favorite toy is a Barbie-sized clothes-makers mannequin that came with a few strips of fabric and some accessories. She spends endless hours coming up with new designs.




When she got bored of the fabrics that same in her set she wanted to buy more cloth.

We went to a women's tailor and asked for "waste cloth". After looking at us questionably the tailor walked to the corner of her small shop and started putting handfulls of great cloth scraps into the burlap bag we had brought with us.

Some of the fabric was very simple but some had amazing bead work or great color/designs... she was so excited!! And even more excited that it was free!

When Bella met Shogun

Little Bella had been staying with us for 3 weeks when Shogun came for a weekend visit. We were hoping the two would play and be friends but it never really happened. They mostly coexisted within the same house. Shogun was curious about Bella but he was chivalrous enough to stay back when she didn't show interest in him.

Taco Bell - wrong boarder

The first day of Summer Vacation we headed out to the Mantri Square Mall - it's the largest mall in India and home to India's 1 and only Taco Bell. It took us 1.5 hours to get there. (If we had freeways it would have taken about 20 minutes)

We were so excited to finally see it!

What is a quesadilla? Press the button to find out.

Free refills! And a dude to help you since this is the first free refill site in India and people get overly excited.

The kitchen

The kids excited to sink their teeth into their food

Oh... it's not the same. :-( The experience was highly anticipated and didn't meet our expectations. But that's OK since it's nearly a 2 hour drive and we wouldn't be able to go very often anyway.

As we were leaving we saw a sign for Swenson's Ice Cream Parlour. Maybe next time...

When East meets West

I love this!

You can get anything you want...

...at Annika's Restaurant

Annika and her friend Sigrid decided to open a restaurant. They made up a menu then went around the neighborhood trying to get customers. Luckily Sigrid's sister Mira is always a good sport.

"Shef" Annika

"Water" Sigrid

Their first customer!!

The order: two almond cookies with peanut butter and a glass of apple juice.

Mmmmm, I'm sure she'll be back!

August's loose tooth

Ahhhh... I mean, August's toothless grin!


Big thanks to Uncle Dagan and all his hard work helping with loose teeth #1 & #3.

Gopi gets a visit from an Hijira

I am so curious about the Hijira culture and I'm always excited to see them but I don't always have my camera ready.

Here Gopi gave her a couple Rupees at a stop light. They tend not to bother westerners.

Happy Father's Day...

...to two of the best Dads out there!!

Crown Princess of Sweden got married today!

Google images

Two girls out for a joy ride

Annika and Sigrid

What we did in Kindergarten

Student recap of the year's work

Annika's end-of-the-year ceremony

Classmates excited for the end of the school year.

I'm a 3rd grader now!


Annika's teachers held an award ceremony where every student was recognized for improvements, achievements and overall participation in class.

THANK YOU TEACHERS!