Browse Author: beakatude

Oahu in December

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We were so lucky to be able to fly to Hawaii for a second time this year!! We went from December 7-14.  It was to celebrate the arrival of our baby boy and to finish off my maternity leave.  We did this with KK when she was born and I’m so glad we did it again.

IMG_3959The trip was kicked off with an empty plane and extra seat for Peanut.  Awesome.  Everyone did great.

IMG_4095We stayed at Sheraton Waikiki again and it was great.  What was even better was that Ranee and her family also booked the same days and hotel!!

IMG_4348THEN a few days before our trip, Jason and Jia decided to come along too!  What fun!

IMG_4756It was so nice to have someone to have Happy Hour with and extra grown-ups to keep an eyes on the little ones in the pool.

IMG_4593 No trip to Oahu would be complete without seeing our favorite Yoon.  She just bought a house in Kailua and she invited us over for lunch.Trevor is much bigger than he was when we first met him in March and he’s adorable.

IMG_4605He also took a special interest in Peanut.  So cute!

IMG_4220 As usual, I was up really early every morning with Peanut and KK was up pretty early too.  Luckily, there’s a beautiful sunrise to watch every morning and it was nice to just hang out by the infinity pool while it’s empty and quiet. IMG_4636We also met up with Ranee and Avia who were also up early and there was one morning that we walked to Marukame Udon to pick up some breakfast.  Yum…wish I could have udon every morning for breakfast.

IMG_4338One of the best things about this trip was that KK got to spend some fun beach and pool time with Sophie! They had a blast together and it was so sweet to see them having conversations and trying to share.

IMG_4149This trip was Peanut’s first trip and he experienced so many new things.  He loved chilling in the pool, which also helped nap during the day too. He was learning how to sit up and it was perfect for hanging out on the beach.  I love this photo.

IMG_4631One great thing about being in Hawaii in December is that they take Christmas very seriously there.  The decorations are off the hook everywhere you go.  This is the tree in the lobby of the Moana.

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We spent A LOT of time at the pool this trip and KK conquered some of her fears.  She was “swimming” around with her floatie on and went down the small slide all on her own.  She was still afraid of jumping in and was too scared to go down the big slide.  Regardless, we are so proud of how much she accomplished.

IMG_4774We had such a fun and memorable trip! I can’t wait to go again sooner than later.  Food post will follow.

Thanksgiving 2015

IMG_3608We stayed home all day on Thanksgiving Day and ate spaghetti for dinner.  Then on Saturday, after Jason and Jia returned from Seattle, we had our usual turkey feast.

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Even KK contributed by making the crescent rolls!  IMG_3625Peanut wanted some.

IMG_3627Jason and Jia brought their feeder seats and we had all the babies sitting with us at the table for dinner!

IMG_3618It probably lasted about 20 minutes before one of them needed to be held.

IMG_3610 IMG_3615The twins got to eat avocado too!  I bet Peanut was super jealous.

Lights and Kids

Boy, Light-up Night has really changed in so many ways.  Lightup2010It used to be a night of friends, cocktails, and hijinks. This is a photo from 2010 when Brother, Joy, and Mommy joined us.

IMG_3113Now it’s about wrangling kids, taking family photos, and getting home at a reasonable time to put everyone to bed.  Regardless, it’s still fun to be out there at the Embarcadero Center to see the buildings light up and watch the fireworks go off.  It’s my official kick-off to the holiday season since it always occurs the Friday before Thanksgiving.

IMG_3138This year, it was super convenient for me since KK’s school is just down the street from there.  What I’ve been used to is scrambling to get out of work on time, braving traffic across the bridge, parking the car at home, and then catching the train as quickly as I can to make it on time.  Last year, Jes was in France and this year was no different.  The difference for me was that I was lugging around TWO kids now.  I don’t know how those single moms do it!

IMG_3145This year, Ranee and Stephanie were on board and met up with us in time for the fireworks.

IMG_3067It was disappointing that the Hyatt did not have their usual lighting of the atrium but we still went over there to see the tree.

IMG_3144Get your fat pants, pumkin-spiced everything, and shopping lists out ‘cuz the holidays are here!

20 and 13

IMG_2640This evening, we had a date night to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary.  It was also to celebrate our 20th year together.  That’s half our lives!!  Crazy.

IMG_2636Dinner was at Wayfare Tavern and I got raw oysters that I didn’t need to share with KK.  😉IMG_2637We shared the fried chicken and mac and cheese on the side.    IMG_2641With all the kids sleeping with Grandma on watch at home, we stopped at a bar on the walk home and had a few more drinks.  I realized that the last time we had a night out alone was when we went to Saison for Mother’s Day last year (2014)!  Wow.

Thanks for babysitting, Mommy!

Disneyland 2015

IMG_2389On the day after Halloween, we went to Disneyland and it was Peanut’s first visit!!

IMG_2282 IMG_2288We were there early enough to go on a bunch of rides in the morning, which worked out great for the two little girls.

IMG_2337Brother made a reservation for lunch at Big Thunder Ranch and it was pretty tasty! IMG_2323IMG_2371It’s all-you-can-eat BBQ served family style and the ribs, beans, and cornbread were my favorites.

IMG_2339 While the kids were taking their afternoon naps, we went over to the Grand Californian to cool off, rest, charge our phones, and get a drink. IMG_2343We found a little nook in the corner that even had a charging hub. Perfect.

IMG_2360Now that KK is older, she seems to understand and appreciate more.

IMG_2398She loved the Dumbo ride in the morning so when she saw the rocketships near Main Street where we were waiting for the parade, she was fired up to ride it.

IMG_2420 When KK saw Elsa and Anna, she was so happy and waved to them.

IMG_2418The Light the Night Parade really is like the Electrical Parade on crack.

IMG_2436It was like a Disney rave and Peanut loved it.

IMG_2434We also had a great seat for the fireworks and it was the first time I had a view of the castle during the show.

Our Week in Cerritos

IMG_2108The day after we returned to SF from Vancouver, I took the two kids back onto the plane for a trip to Southern California. Taking BART to Oakland Airport and then getting on an hour-long flight with the kids by myself was not as hard as I initially thought.  I packed light and it helped that we didn’t need to bring a stroller or carseats. We also scored an empty seat so we could spread out.

IMG_2152It was nice to have a full week at my parents’ house.  What’s even better is that Brother and Joy recently moved back there so it was great not having to coordinate when they were going to come over to hang out.  KK and Alice got some good play time together and it was fun to watch them interact.

IMG_2255One of the main reasons we went down was to celebrate Alice’s 2nd Birthday, which also happens to be on Halloween.  IMG_2213It was a costume party and the birthday girl was dressed as Boo from Monsters Inc.  Brother and Joy dressed up as Mike Wazowski and Celia Mae.

IMG_2244KK and Peanut dressed up as Batgirl and Robin this year.  I love Peanut’s expression in this photo.

IMG_2136 IMG_2140During our stay in SoCal, I got to catch up with some old friends.  One morning, we drove up to South Pasadena to visit Holly and to meet Sienna.

IMG_2490 IMG_2493 IMG_2495On another day, I was able to make a lunch date with Patti and Patty.  It was great catching up.

IMG_2452We also had lunch one day with Marie and her parents.  It crazy how much Cole and Brandon have grown.  IMG_2508It’s nice to have an extended time with the family.  We even had time to take the girls to Heritage Park to feed the ducks like I used to as a kid.