The Many Personalities of Winter

Three countries, cruise ships, several feet of snow, sunny beaches, rainbows, mini golf  and ice skating - this winter had it all!

First, we had Rahul mama visit from India in time for Christmas

We then traveled to Southern California and had lunch with our cousin from Orange County before heading to the Long Beach cruise terminal

Our luggage... that was another story.  It didn't make it in time for cruise embarkation, so we had to wear the same clothes for 3 days until we had it delivered by air cargo to Catalina island

We had the requisite slot machines, towel-folding lessons, connect 4 tournament, mini-golf, and fancy Christmas dinner (in the same non-fancy clothes we boarded the ship in)

Finally, we took an excursion to La Bufadora from Ensanada, Mexico

 We then headed to Vancouver for a New Year's reunion with our buddies from Denver, Seattle and the Bay Area

Outdoor ice skating followed by hot chocolate

Photo shoot

In February, we ventured to Tahoe over President's Day weekend and drove straight into a storm, making the journey last 13 hours (instead of 4-5)

This is the hot tub (the central reason we chose this rental) - thanks to a determined Sunil, it was unearthed in order for us to enjoy it before we left

Stylin' in (rented) snow gear for our weak California sensibilities

The whole group and a family shot

Back in San Francisco, we happened across some chess players in a coffee shop and next thing we knew, Milan was playing a round

Kirin was star of the week and Milan helped him decorate his poster

A warm February day at the pool

And a beautiful rainbow at Milan's school

Fun in the Fall

It was a busy fall with lots of activities around the bay area

Halloween 2018

(Note this is the 4th time that train conductor costume has been used by us and we got it secondhand; meanwhile, Milan's snake costume fell apart mid-way through Halloween festivities)

What, me worry?

A joint magnatiles creation

We had a fun diwali party with made to order dosa and lots of guests (though no photos of the guests)

Playing in the sand and watching the sunset at Poplar Beach

Milan ice skated for the first time and was a pro by the end of the night

Attending our first Stanford men's basketball game (they won!)

Photos from a photo shoot with one of Milan's former preschool teachers

Next stop:  cruising to Mexico and Vancouver!

Happy holidays!

Summer Roundup

Between all of the birthday posts, we were enjoying the dog days of summer

First, we took a trip to DC that involved family time, conferences and sightseeing.  Milan and mom went first and spent a day at the air and space museum and seeing the sights.

 Dad and Kirin came next and we enjoyed some quality cousin time

We even got the whole Goda family together one evening

Kirin got to see some sights too at the museum of natural history via metro

Milan tested his hand at spoons and enjoyed every minute with family from up and down the east coast

 We came back and did a joint birthday celebration where a kid can be a kid

And then spent the day before school started at Gilroy Gardens for one last hurrah

Milan on his first day of first grade!

Kirin moved up a room in daycare too and is learning some new skills

 School may have started but there was still fun to be had!  We enjoyed labor day weekend with a ferry ride to Alameda and some frolicking on the beach in Pacifica

Kirin is enjoying some figs right off the tree

Happening upon a splash pad in San Carlos

Kirin perfecting his :man-shrugging: face

And the first official weekend of fall was spent seeing the sea lions at fisherman's wharf, snoozing in the stroller, and drinking out of toilets at the exploratorium