Jamma & Pop-Pop Come To Visit

Our first family members to come and visit us in India were Matt's parents, Jamma and Pop-Pop!  They were able to come over during Jamma's February school vacation!  We packed a lot into a WEEK!  What a fun time we had!  Here's day one!!

Oh Boy!  Here they come!

The kids were SOOOOO happy!!

Michael making up for months of missin' his Jamma.

Yessss, Mumsie!!  You made it!! 

The kids let Daddy do the tour of the yard first and then they had everybody movin' and groovin' to "Just Dance" within moments of Jamma & Pop-Pop's arrival!  ;0)

Getting the full flight report while sitting out on the balcony.

Everybody is happy now that Jamma is here!

Jamma & Pop-Pop brought one of their favorite treats....

Slim Jim's :0)

The kids sang, "Stop &Think" at church.

Lots of cultural experiences within their first few hours in Bangalore....This was an African Dance during worship at our church.

The Leela Palace for Brunch

Lots of Pretty Plants at the Leela Palace

Jamma & Rachel by the water garden

Our Littlest Cutie - Posin' under a Palm

Welcome to Bangalore, Jamma & Pop-Pop!

Just us Girls

Getting ready to EAT!!!

Pillow Fight!!  (The kids are having their own fun while us adults have ours!)

Jamma - Are you checking to make sure Pop-Pop had enough to eat?!  Haha!

Erica was ESPECIALLY happy to have her grandparents here!

Getting ready to hit the pool!

Kiddie Pool

Indoor Pool

Leisure Pool

Waterfall Pool

Lap Pool

Time for a little family badmitton!....In India it's not just for backyard bbq's ;0)

Dinner at the Clubhouse

Let's Eat!!

Jamma & Pop-Pop's first dinner with us was at our clubhouse restaurant and we ordered a whole bunch of our favorite Indian foods!  Tandoori chicken served with spicy green chutney and coconut chutney.  Buttered-garlic naan.  Dal makhani.   Masala Dosa.  Raita.  Basmati Rice.

Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt & various Indian spices.  It is typically cooked in a clay (tandoor) oven but it can also be cooked on a traditional bbq grill and we think it's simply "Ta Die Fah"

Green Chutney aka Coriander Chutney

A puree of coriander, lemon juice, chilies & various other Indian spices.

Coconut Chutney

Also a family favorite!  Mild & pairs nicely with everything from idli to dosas.

Buttered-Garlic Naan

Aw Shucks!  I would stay in India FOREVER if ONLY I could eat this delicious flat bread EVERY SINGLE DAY!  Naan is also traditionally cooked in a clay tandoor oven. 

Dal Makhani.  My personal fav Indian dish so far.  Some places I've had it and it's a little bit too spicy for my tame tongue....no worries!  I just ask for a side of plain yogurt and it helps manage the "heat" :0)  Apparently, it's a bit of a pain to make as you have to let the lentils & beans soak overnight!?  Flavored with ginger, garlic, tomato, onion, mango powder (I completely don't know what I'm talking about...had to google it!) 

But!  I do know it gets its creamy finishing touch by adding some fresh cream and butter garnish.  Delish!

Masala Dosa

The dosa is a bit like a crispy pancake that can be stuffed with all sorts of fillings or you can just have a plain dosa if you like (the kids like them plain and then they shlop them around in some sauce! YUM!)  Matt and I like the masala dosa.  The masala is basically a mixture of  spiced potatoes and onions. 

Raita.

We LOVE this too.  It's light and fresh tasting.  It's an Indian side dish made with plain yogurt and vegetables.  We like it best with onions, cucumbers and tomatoes!  Our server tried to bring us some made with pineapple the other day - Didn't like it nearly as much as the vegetable version.

Basmati Rice.  

Don't know that there is anything special about it...it's just Rice in my book!  ;0)

Finish the night off with some good ole fashioned ice cream....I'd say that was a Prettyyyyy Goooooood First Day!!!