Browse Category: friends

Sweet Race!

IMG_8918 The girls and I woke up early this morning and headed out to Golden Gate Park for the Hot Chocolate 5/15K. IMG_8920 It was early and cold but apparently chocolate can motivate thousands of people to get up and run.  We scored a free parking spot not too far and lined up with the rest of the crowd before the sun came up.

IMG_8880Here’s the swag bag that I picked up yesterday.  Isn’t it super cute!?IMG_8886We also got this high-tech hoodie complete with zipper pocket in the back and thumb holes in the goody bag and it kept me nice and warm this morning.

IMG_8921The course went around Stow Lake and had lots of rolling hills but it kept the run fun and interesting.

IMG_8925It was Stephanie’s first race since her pregnancy and she did great!

IMG_8924Ranee is now expecting Baby #2 and she ran a strong race too!  I’m so proud of both of them.

IMG_8948At the finish, we were given a super sweet finisher’s mug. IMG_8933It had a cup of hot chocolate in the middle, a side car of melted chocolate, and an assortment of goodies to dip. Now that’s my kind of breakfast!

IMG_8944I even ate the banana and it was the best banana I’ve ever had.  Who thought that dipping it in chocolate would change my mind about that stupid fruit?!

IMG_8926I love running with my friends…and chocolate is not too bad either.

2014 Kickoff

IMG_8906In lieu of a Christmas Party, our department at work decided to have a holiday party in January.  It was held in my Club Room last night and we had a great turn out.

IMG_8899I think at one point we probably have about 50 adults and 13 kids!!

IMG_8908The last time we had a party was two years ago when I was 5 months preggo.  Now we’ve had an explosion of children with the addition of Kumquat, Vivian, Sophie, and now Henry!

IMG_8914On top of the kiddie section, there was an area where the boys could follow the football game too.

IMG_8892Jes played a mean game of Jenga with Eli and lost.

IMG_8895Everyone seemed to have a good time including the kids. Kumquat was on her best behavior and played with almost anyone who was around. She’ll be Mommy’s Little Helper in no time!

IMG_8889I ordered Thai food from down the street and they delivered so set-up was a breeze.  Clean-up also wasn’t as bad as years before since I actually ordered the right amount of food this time!

This was a great way to kick off the new work year.  Cheers!

Catching up

IMG_8033One of the best parts of Christmas Break is being able to catch up with old friends.  Our closest friends are the ones we grew up with in high school and they all manage to make their way back to Cerritos around the holidays.  IMG_8032On Monday night, we met up in Irvine for a shabu shabu dinner.

Afterward, we went to Balcony for drinks.  We were warned by our waiter that it was a place for “young people” and we just laughed and thought “as long as we can get in with slippers and t-shirts, we don’t care”.

IMG_8034 IMG_8035We were probably the oldest ones at the bar and only got carded because we looked like people who would bust them for under-age drinking.  The waitress literally said that to us.  That gave me a good chuckle.  We also watched a girl stumble out of the bar and carried down the stairs at 10pm after they had had a whole bottle of vodka.  Ah…youngins.

IMG_8241On Thursday, we had lunch at Sunrise Cafe with the crew again and I also went to Holly’s house in the evening.  It’s so nice to have Holly and Roy back in California.  I loved watching the interaction between Kumquat and Andrew.  IMG_8236It was like the best date ever complete with toys, snacks, and hugs at the end of the evening.

Christmas Baby!

IMG_8189Teresa and Aaron got a surprise Christmas gift today when Teresa’s water broke in the morning.  They went to the hospital and hours later, they had a healthy baby BOY!  His name is James Henry Hopkins weighing in a 6 lbs 14 oz and measuring 19 inches.  Sounds like mom and baby are doing well.  I can’t wait to meet the newest member of the Cheekster Club!!

Sunday

IMG_7937On Sunday morning, we went to Sunday Service and Kumquat loved the Children’s choir performance.

Here she is during the performance.  She tried to copy their moves and added some of her own.  Click here if you can’t see this video above.

IMG_7947In the afternoon, I drove down Irvine to meet up with Patty and Patti.  I hadn’t been back to Patty’s house since my baby shower!

IMG_7946It was so fun to see Kumquat trying to join the older girls.

IMG_7943Seeing Mochi was also good for me and for Kumquat.  He’s the closest thing we have to Koa (they’re 3/4 brothers) and I just wanted to take him home with me.  It was fun watching Kumquat trying to give him snuggles like she used to to Koa.

IMG_7985This is one of the best things about Christmas time.  I get to catch up with old friends and Kumquat gets to make new ones.  Thanks for hosting, Patty!  We loved seeing all of you!!

You can see more photos here.

Dual Birthday

IMG_7716On Saturday, we went to CuriOdyssey for Bang and Rowan’s birthdays.  It was nice to catch up with old friends.  IMG_7731These boys were roommates back in college and I love that some things haven’t changed despite all these years and so many life-changing events.

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I loved seeing Kumquat sitting at the kid table.  That’s Rowan, the birthday boy, eating his lunch.IMG_7730This is the picture of Reese thoroughly enjoying some cake for once.  She’s allergic to dairy and usually doesn’t get to having any birthday cake.  Vyl made a gluten-free-dairy-free cake and she loved it.

IMG_9048Happy Birthday to Bang and Rowan!!