Author: gundara

March Part 1 – 2023

| gundara

March started out great…Aanika was riding her new horse Linus, we got to have Maitreyi from Never Have I ever over for brunch, and Aanika and I were enjoying our iPads and iPencils. Unfortunately then Aanika got a tummy bug, wasn’t feeling very well and ended up rolling of Jatins bed and broke her arm 🙁

The first two weeks were pretty tough. She had to be home from school for the entire month to heal. She’s such a a strong cutie pie, but all of us we’re worried and thinking about her all the time.
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February 2023

| gundara

February came and went so quickly. Aanika met a new horse named Linus. Unfortunately her first horse Gus passed away 🙁 My dear friend Jenny Rosson also passed so this month has been emotionally draining. We did spend a lot of our weekends with the family which was lovely. Gurpreet was visiting from England and Buaji was visiting from Tarun Bhaiyas. Jatin participated in his first MUN conference at Granada High School. We got it to meet Handy’s wife Jasmine. I had lunch with Shervin and Kazem after almost 20 years! It snowed in the valley for the first time since 1989! It’s been so cold that all the mountains became white. It was absolutely beautiful but we’re ready for sunshine again. And Nick and I finally found the cookies from my childhood and had them shipped from Canada! read more

January 2023

| gundara

Happy New Year! May this year be filled with peace, love, laughter, happiness and good health for all. Aanikas new number one is her Daddy! They eat together, ride together, sing and dance together daily! We got a glimpse of rain, lot’s of AniVani home modeling – doggies included. We took a few family walks and local hikes, and Aanika magically created a piece of art spelling “Dad.” Nick and I got away for an evening to Bakersfield and finally got to check out the Padre together!

Christmas 2022

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This was our first year without having Nana and Nani with us on Xmas day. Neera borrowed them this year 🙂 We went lower key on the decorations, and having just recovered from Covid we stayed home and enjoyed time with each other. In typical Gundara tradition we opened gifts Christmas Eve and had a lovely breakfast the next morning. It was warm so didn’t quite feel like the holidays. Mommy and daddy did join us once they were back in town and then all was right 🙂 Merry Christmas!

Christmas Parties 2022

| gundara

We had a few shindigs to celebrate the season this year. The first one was Nicks company party hosted at a Mexican restaurant in Filmore. There were margaritas, speeches and karaoke!!

Next we hosted our annual Celtic court neighborhood potluck holiday dinner. This year we felt safe enough to host indoors rather than be in the freezing cold! Trader Joe’s eggnog was served, tax guy contacts were exchanged, home renovations were discussed, homemade teriyaki sauce was gifted, secret brittle was packaged, video games were played and all in all a merry time was had! read more

December 2022

| gundara

Well we’re officially all feeling better post Covid and looking forward to ringing in the end of the year with lots of celebrations and quality time together. December kind of snuck up on us so quickly but we made the most of it. Nick and I have really been enjoying Gus’s BBQ or Cheesecake Factory for Saturday brunches with Saturday evenings being dedicated to the kiddos and all lot of Knight Rider marathons in front of the fireplace.

Aanika loves tea and coffee and often tries to make it herself. Jatin is a good sport and allows me to give him a facial every few months. Aanika got to ride Gus her horse a few times before the holiday’s. Aanika and I spent $85 dollars to park in a dirt lot on the Pierce campus and cried for 2 minutes while looking at animatronic dinosaurs 🦕!! Lol 😂 read more

Mommy’s 70th Birthday Girls Trip

| gundara

Our amazing mommy turned 70 years young this year and her request was a girls trip with Neera and I! So off we went to Newport Beach for a 2 day lovely trip. We got lucky and enjoyed sunshine crisp weather the first two days and pouring rain as we said goodbye to the beautiful city on Sunday morning.

Mommy and I started our adventure at Southcoast Plaza, lunch at Nordstrom Cafe and some light shopping at the Gucci Store! Once we picked up Neeru then we watched. Bad Moms Christmas on Tv at the hotel, chatted up a storm and had an amazing Indian dinner at the Royal Khyber Restaurant. The following morning we took a spectacular walk along the beach, admired the beach front homes and then off to Fashion Island for some more Light shopping at Bloomingdale’s for a YSL purse. Had a lovely time people watching for the latest jeans trends at the Bloomingdale’s Cafe for lunch and had dinner in at the bar that evening. We woke up to pouring rain but made it back in time for me to catch Jatins performance at the Chatsworth Holiday parade where his band took home the fist prize! read more

Thanksgiving 2022

| gundara

Well November didn’t turn out quite how we had expected. We were supposed to head to Houston for a gaming expo and to meet some friends but the week before Aanika came down with Covid after being exposed at school. Nick was out of town for work so I had to break the news to him that Sunday. By Wednesday I had Covid and by Friday Nick and Jatin were positive as well. Anyhow we cancelled Houston and could not attend the yearly Thanksgiving party at Narindar Aunties home. Instead we celebrated as a family at home…but Thanksgiving with muted taste and lack of smell senses is not quite as fun! Nani made us a delicious sweet potato dish which we need to make again so we can fully enjoy it! We did get out for a hike, and enjoyed some fresh air in our backyard. Regardless we are very grateful for our beautiful family unit and are blessed to have each other. Life is beautiful even with Covid 🙂 read more