Browse Month: November 2015

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.