Browse Category: yum

Family Fun Weekend

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This past weekend, the family came up from Cerritos to celebrate KK’s birthday. They flew in just in time for the party on Saturday.

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On Sunday, we met up for lunch at Hog Island Oyster Co. and had quite a feast. I love this photo of Peanut photobombing Brother withe the oysters.

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No trip would be complete without a stop at Humphry’s Slocombe too.

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It was a warm day and perfect for going to the playground to burn off the sugar.KK and Alice had a good time playing together.

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For dinner, we met at Little Sheep Hot Pot, which was super close to their hotel.

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The rest of the evening was spent in their rooms. The girls played Octonauts in the bedside table that had a fake drawer and enough head room for both of them to fit inside.

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Meanwhile, the grown ups ordered dessert and watched Game of Thrones.

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Luckily, Mom and Dad were just in the next room over and Peanut was able to go to sleep at his usual time.

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The next day, I had the day off and took the kids on the bus to meet the family for breakfast.

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We had pancakes and all the other usual breakfast foods at Sears Fine Foods.

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What a fun weekend! Times like these always make me miss them more and wish we still lived in Southern California.

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She’s FOUR already!

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Today is KK’s 4th birthday and it’s hard to believe that so much time has already passed. Our first-born is quickly becoming a little lady. Jes was having a hard time with this milestone since it was the age in which he had his first memories as a kid. It was a big deal to him. I’m sentimental about everything so I usually take her birthday off to spend time with her and also reflect on my life as a mom. This year was no different. I took the day off so that I could be at her school to celebrate her big day with her friends. Jes and I also parlayed that into a day in which we could spend some time together without the kids. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to just hang out alone and we made it worth our while with a walking food and drink crawl along The Embarcadero.

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The morning started with Mirian coming to watch Peanut while Jes was on a work call and I took KK to school. The birthday girl had a little extra hop to her step this morning as we walked hand-in-hand. Then, on my way home, I stopped at Safeway to pick up her birthday cupcakes.

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Jes finished up his calls and then we headed out to drop off the cupcakes at school on our way to lunch.

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Our first stop was La Mar. My first drink was sweet and refreshing.

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Lunch consisted of cebiche, causa, and empanadas.

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We then made a stop at Hillstone for a quick drink at the bar. Jes had a martini and I have a nice cold glass of white wine.

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Coqueta is a restaurant that I’ve always wanted to try but was too expensive and not very kid-friendly so it was perfect for a day like today.

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We sat down by the open window for a cocktail and some pricey skewers.

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Before heading back to KK’s school for her cake party, we stopped at the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant. It’s a 21-and-over kind of place so we just HAD to go there today.

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This was the meat platter that we ordered with the wine.

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By then, we were pretty relaxed and happy. Heh heh.

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After KK’s school party, she asked to leave school with us. So we took her across the street to Waterbar for their $1 oysters. We scored a table on the patio with a view of the Bay Bridge and she scored a dozen oysters.

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It was so nice to have a day to spend with my best friend and co-pilot on this crazy ride called parenthood. This relaxing day as just the two of us was long overdue and sorely needed.

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Happy 4th Birthday to our Kumquat. We hope you have a fun-filled year as a 4-year-old.  And please, don’t grow up too quickly.

First Day Back

IMG_6612Surprisingly, this morning went well.  Peanut was up at 6am.  I fed him and then he fell back to sleep.  He looked so peaceful and so adorable.

Since he was sleeping, it gave me lots of time to get ready for work and then get KK ready for school.  I was out of the house by 7:30am and I enjoyed the quiet drive to work all by myself with the radio turned off.  It’s been a while since I had last had some alone time to just think and prepare for the day.  Before going on leave, I was taking KK along with me across the bay everyday for at least a year.  Now it’s just me in the car and it was a nice change.  I parked and arrived in the office at 7:55 am (5 minutes early!)

IMG_6618 On my desk, were a bunch of special treats from my dear friends.  Thanks, ladies!!

IMG_6619At the end of lunch, I was treated to cookies and ice cream!! So sweet.  I was surrounded by good friends and had a pretty easy work day.  This definitely made the transition back to work as easy as it could have been.

Christmas in SoCal

IMG_4949I had the privilege of spending 10 whole days in Southern California for the holidays this year (Dec 19-29).  This was probably the longest I’ve had with the family in a long time.

IMG_5660The girls had lots of good quality time together and we heard a lot of giggles this time around.

IMG_5198I loved just hanging out at the Magical House and it’s so nice to have Brother and Joy living there right now.  He and Joy even made some molasses cookies for us to snack on.

IMG_5204In the mornings, KK would often go to the Cerritos Mall with my dad.  She loved the riding toys and my dad just couldn’t help putting coins in for her.  Jes and I usually just tell her that we don’t have any money.  Heh heh.

IMG_5241What I love about being home is meeting up with old friends that I don’t get to see as often as I’d like.  I met up with my UCLA girls at Linda’s house one night and it was so fun to catch up and reminisce.

IMG_5273Holly also came over one day and brought Andrew.  KK hadn’t seen him in over a year and after a little warming up period, they were buddies again.

IMG_5320Before heading down to SoCal, we made a list of things we wanted to eat and one of them was Din Tai Fung.  IMG_5315So, on Christmas Eve, we went to the new location at South Coast Plaza.  IMG_5314Yum yum yum…love their xiao long bao.

IMG_5387On Christmas morning, we were in Buena Park and it was fun to open gifts with all the kids.  IMG_5346Every year, Jes’ mom buys him and Jason matching sweaters or jackets.  Jes usually gets the blue one and this year was no different.  Here they are with their matching sweaters.

IMG_5424Somehow, we managed to get a photo of all the kids together on Christmas night before dinner.  The twins were so cute in their matching Christmas jammies.

IMG_5462For dinner, Jes made a standing rib roast for the whole family.

IMG_5463He made Yorkshire pudding again this year and they came out perfectly!

IMG_5532Another item on our list was a pastrami sandwich and chili cheese fries from The Hat.  I forgot how enormous the fries were.  We saw couples in the restaurant eating just that as their meal.

IMG_5559Another family tradition is to gather all of my cousins together for a Thai feast at Thai Nakorn.  IMG_5558With Ishya and family also in town, our party was even bigger this year!

IMG_5639Another SoCal favorite is Wahoo’s.  This wasn’t on our list but a nice bonus meal! Jes was so happy with his enchilada.IMG_5645I had my usual fish tacos with extra salsa for my rice and beans.  Boy, I wish they had Wahoo’s up in the Bay Area.

IMG_5617One afternoon, all the cousins on both sides of the family were all together at the Magical House.  So cute.

IMG_5651On our last night in Cerritos, we had some more Thai food for dinner with my family.

IMG_5681Before leaving for our long drive back to SF, we had one last meal with Jes’ parents.

It was so much fun being home for so long.  We accomplished almost everything on our list and I got s few naps in too.

Disneyland

IMG_5127We went to Disneyland again this month since it’s our family tradition and it was the end of my family’s annual passes.  This year, we only went to Disneyland (and not CA Adventure), which was plenty for us.

IMG_5025We were smart to borrow Jason and Jia’s double stroller for this visit.  It was a real back saver.

IMG_5013We ventured up to Toon Town, which we hadn’t gone to in a very long time.  When we went to visit Mickey, memories of working there suddenly flooded my head (both good and bad).

IMG_5115The kids took their annual photo with Santa and Peanut was loving his comfy lap.  KK was still a little weary of the man in red but sat next to him and told him she wanted “Octonauts” for Christmas.

IMG_5125One of the best treats I’ve had there was this apple pie funnel cake that all 9 of us shared.

IMG_5054It was so much fun being there with the whole family and it never seems to get old – especially now that we have our own kids to relive the magic and fun.

IMG_0256What’s also nice about having the whole family there is that I actually get to ride some of the faster rides while the grandparents watch the kids.  They were like “mini dates” for us.  This is a photo of me and Jes waiting to board Star Tours.  Jes, the rebel, put his 3D glasses on before we were allowed to.IMG_5066We also rode Hyperspace Mountain with Brother and Joy.  Fun fun fun!

IMG_5110I also love the Christmas decorations all around the park.  Makes Disneyland even more special.

IMG_5095Looked like Peanut enjoyed all the lights and colors too.

IMG_5079Since it was Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration, they had these funny backdrops for us to take photos.  IMG_5289Too bad KK was sleeping because only Peanut made it into these pictures.  Pretty funny stuff.

IMG_5152After dinner, the rest of the family went home and we stayed until closing time.  It was fun taking KK on Dumbo and the rocket ships at night.

IMG_5153We also stayed for the fireworks and watched Fantasmic one last time before they closed it for the building of Star Wars Land.

IMG_5164We may or may not visit Disneyland next year if it’s not worth it.  I’m glad we went one more time this year.

So much to eat…

IMG_4403One the best things about Hawaii is the food!! In between trips to the pool and beach, we ate and ate.

IMG_4100Of course, we started the trip with Jes’ favorite ramen.  Interestingly, Kurt and Yoon suggested their favorite ramen place and Jes HAD to try it.

IMG_0215He had the tonkatsu ramen at Yotekko-Ya and he agreed. It was delicious.  He thinks it ranks at least #1 or #2 on his list now but he’s debating because their fried rice and gyoza are no good.

IMG_3979Our first meal in Hawaii was actually at Nico’s Fish Market.  It’s close to the freeway and on the way to Waikiki.  I love their furikake ahi and Jes substituted the salad for a mac salad for me. Yes!

IMG_4124One of my favorite breakfasts is the coconut waffle at Eggs ‘n Things.  I don’t know how many times I’ve had it or taken a photo of it but I just can’t help myself.  It’s like I just want to remember the yumminess forever.

IMG_4192For an early dinner, we went to Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin and I had the katsu-don, which also keeps really well for the next morning.  KK never stays awake for dinner here so she always gets this dish for breakfast the next day.

IMG_4276From Rainbow Drive-In, I had the loco moco.  KK loved it so much that she ate half of my plate.  I don’t blame her because it’s so tasty and comforting.

IMG_4302On this trip, I had a whole ‘lotta poke.  I guess i was making up for the last trip when I was pregnant.  One afternoon, we bought some poke and had a picnic in our hotel room.  KK ate her fair share of poke today.

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Since Leonard’s was down the street from Rainbow, we stopped to get 6 original sugar malasadas and then 6 filled malasadas: lilikoi, haupia, and chocolate.  IMG_4317We had plenty to share and the first one I ate was the haupia-filled one and split it with Ranee.  DE-lish!  Even Avia looked excited.

IMG_4374We always have at least one breakfast at McDonald’s.  Their Spam and eggs platter is always tasty – especially when you can have a fried haupia pie after. 🙂

IMG_4408On one of the days, we took Jason and Jia to North Shore for garlic shrimp.  I ate this whole plate all by myself. Don’t judge! KK actually gobbled up half of Jes’ plate after her peeled them all.  That’s my girl!

IMG_4424We also stopped at Matsumoto for some shave ice. We picked coconut, lilikoi, and pineapple today.IMG_4456We also made an impromptu stop at the Dole Plantation on our way back and KK scored a second treat that afternoon.  She loves Dole Whip as much as Mama.

IMG_4602At Yoon’s house, she served brunch including macnut pancakes and fried rice from Boots and Kimo’s.  YUM!IMG_4603She also picked up poke from The Hibachi.  Their hamachi poke was so good.

IMG_4552Back at Sheraton Waikiki, we had a few meals at their poolside bar.  As SPG members, kids eat free with a paid adult meal.  The kalua pork nachos and korean chicken wings were pretty good.  IMG_4687I also had the kimchee fried rice loco moco one afternoon and scored a free crudites platter for KK.

IMG_4695Of course, my favorite part of Hawaii is the refreshing mai tai.  I had quite a few and they taste even better when both of your kids are sleeping.

IMG_4288Also, as SPG members, we got to visit the GIFT store where you can take home whatever you can fit into their tiny paper bag.  Ranee and I raided the store and managed to stuff two full bottles of wine and a cooler bag into it.

IMG_4709I even balanced a little pretzel/peanut butter snack on top for good measure.  Haha.  We’re so ghetto but we followed the rules fair and square!

I love Hawaii.  I can’t wait to go back.