Peanut Progress

So today I got quick unofficial ultrasound by a friend of mine. In 5 minutes flat she confirmed that Peanut now has 2 healthy kidneys, a normal spine, 4-chamber heart with good vessels, cerebellum and corpus callosum (brain parts), left-sided stomach, and generally other normal looking anatomy. His heart was beating at 152 beats/minute, maybe due to the adrenaline rush he got from knowing he was on show! He also did some impressive somersaults, rolls and flips. I think he is trying to practice for flying in grandpa's bi-plane! He did show off his boy parts, but daddy didn't think the picture was good enough to show the world, so we'll have to wait on that one. Must make daddy proud!

Oktoberfest - yes, the real one

Despite an already crazy travel schedule, Anand makes time for his annual Oktoberfest trip. Yes, Oktoberfest starts in September. Yes, we're talking about the original event in Munich. If you haven't been, you've got to go at least once.


Anand, Eddie, Dan

Anand, Sabrina, Jan

More pictures from BBC at: BBC Oktoberfest pictures

family, family, everywhere

The great thing about a close-knit family is that you have someone to call on no matter what continent. Well, we'll have to ask the Swaminathans if they have any cousins on Antarctica, but otherwise I think we're covered. Saturday we had fun hanging out with Mallika, Nandu, and their son Jay. Nandu is Vanitha's 2nd cousin, making Jay Anand's 3rd cousin. Nice meeting you, cousins!

Full Emu = Safe Emu

Supposedly these guys can do some serious damage with their long toenails & powerful legs. Good thing this Emu is happy with his flower feast!

koala cute-ness!

Something tells me this little guy wouldn't need an upgrade to Business Class in order to sleep well on the flight...

The new Sydney Wildlife Worlds is great! We got to see Koalas, Cassawarys, Wallabees, Platypus, and other odd creatures up close. The best was a rooftop Koala exhibit, where you could stand literally feet from the koalas, without any barrier. The Koalas have an enviable lifestyle, munching on eucalyptus leaves and hanging out on branches all day. Think they would make a nice pet!? There is plenty of eucalyptus in Presideo park. hmmm....

Sydney rules

We got a super deal for a Sydney trip, so decided to go for it. We decided that we've never travelled so far to feel like we haven't gone anywhere! Sydney is SO similar to San Francisco.... the weather, attractions, geography, culture. We do have some advice for our hometown on how to make extra money for our infrastructure.... charge $150/person to tour the maintenance access steps on the Golden Gate bridge!

Peanut

Anand and I are very excited to announce that a mini-human - temporarily named Peanut - has taken up residence inside Laura. We expect Peanut to make his grand entrance into the world sometime at the end of March 2008. Thanks to "tellmepinkorblue" test, we know he's a boy. Can't wait to meet you, Peanut!

For every cloud....

... there's a silver lining. Unfortunately Chad & Drea did not have much luck with their flights home. But at least Great Grandma Lester got to meet her latest Great Grand Daughter!

Lisa & Dhaneshwar... v 2.0

At the rehearsal dinner Friday night

Mother & Daughter, Saturday wedding

Working hard for her money.

Lucky Pup

We are so lucky to have such wonderful pet-sitters. Technically, this isn't Oli's job; he's just the spouse of our pet-sitter. But either way, Penny is soaking up the love!

rough days!

Penny had a great time hiking at Dry Creek camp. So rough.... she didn't leave her blanket for about 36 hours!

Hawaii Fun!

Best snorkelling pics EVER, courtesy of John Shappell underwater photography. Trust me, he had the more impressive job, since John was the one catching the octapus, picking up the sea urchin, and holding his breath long enough to take pictures of us while we sloooowly dove. Mahalo John!

Lisa & Dhaneshwar ... v 1.0

We had the honor of attending my cousin Lisa's Hindu wedding in Toronto in June. Looking forward to the "western" one in Pennsylvania in July!

Proud Aunt

Barbados

Family vacation in Barbados for the 2007 World Cup of Cricket. Too bad India & Pakistan didn't make it, but we still had fun. First time travelling with parents, brother, boss, and friends, all surving together in the same house for nearly 2 weeks!

Diwali 2005

Happy Diwali, 2005, and thanks to Anand's dad, who is taking the picture!! We can always count on Anand's mom to throw a fabulous party, with excellent food, festive decorations, and lively atmosphere. Until next year!!!

Pilar's Class

Anand and Sabrina (left), became best friends and were speaking like Andalucians after just 2 weeks of individualized instruction from their amazing teacher, Pilar. We miss you, Pilar!!

The Spanish call this a "new" bridge!!

Well, I'm only guessing, but I think this bridge is older than the Golden Gate! Nevertheless, if you go to the town of Ronda & ask directions to the beautiful bridge in all the tourist books, they will ask "you mean the new bridge?" This may be confusing initially, but you see, the OLD bridge fell down about 300 years ago, so this is the NEW bridge.

Malaga Plus

In Academia M'alaga Plus, the only other chica Americana, Rachel, and I tried our best to learn & have fun with our favorite teacher, Concha. (Photo by classmate, Albert Spaeter, an easy-going and friendly guy who speaks German, English, Italian & darn good Spanish!!)