Browse Category: friends

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!

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.

Huy!!

IMG_1090Huy was in town this weekend and it was so nice to get caught up.  It’s been at least a year since we last saw him – maybe longer!!!

IMG_1093We spent the day with him and To out along The Embarcadero and the weather was perfect. FYI – Epic Roasthouse is surprisingly kid-friendly.  There’s a changing table in the bathroom, KK got crayons and coloring pages, and they gave us blankets to use on the patio if it was too cold.

IMG_1086It had also been a while since we last saw To and she has recently moved to Oakland!  She’s also expecting a baby boy in December!  Yay!  We took this funny picture of Peanut battling bellies with her today.

Dinner Party

IMG_0770With the fall being a big birthday month, Vyl suggested that we all get together to celebrate.  We scored a reservation in our Clubroom so the usual families came over on Saturday and we got caught up while the kids played.  IMG_0773Jes cooked up some steak sandwiches, Michelle prepared a tomato salad with homegrown tomatoes, and Vyl baked up a chocolate cake.

IMG_0781 IMG_0782 Good times…just wish we could do it more often like we used to.

 

Jes’ Big 4-0

IMG_9797Jesse celebrated his 40th birthday with lots of family and friends this year.  We used to go on our annual international trip during this time of year but with 2 kids it makes it much more challenging.  So, for his birthday, we planned a trip to Napa with his buddies.  Dayantha drove up on Saturday and the boys went out for dinner at Fringale and drinks afterward.  In fact, they ended up staying out (finishing on our rooftop) around 3am.

IMG_9818The next day was his actual birthday and it was spent at Zoe’s birthday party first and then dinner with family at R&G Lounge.

https://youtu.be/4RLacbEzUrE
Jes blew out his candles at home surrounded by his family.

IMG_9849On the following day, we drove up to Napa for a 3-day trip that we planned months ago with Jimmy, Eleen, Dayantha, and Krissy.

IMG_3628It was super hot that weekend but we made the most of it anyway.  We stopped at V. Sattui before checking in to the Westin and met up with Ranee and family for lunch and some wine.

IMG_9852At the Westin, the Agustins and Fernandos arrived and checked in in time for our wine tasting appointment that was just a few steps down the river from the hotel.  We lucked out with some very well-behaved kids that afternoon so we were all able to sit around the grown-up table and sip wine at the Robert Craig Tasting Room.

IMG_9885 IMG_9884The next day was spent being lazy at the pool with the kids.  Jes took KK into the pool while I hung out under the cabana with Peanut and a glass of wine.  Heh heh.

IMG_9918For dinner, we went to Morimoto for a fancy dinner.  Unfortunately, the A/C was broken in the restaurant and dining with 5 kids is a huge change from our days without kids.  Luckily, we were all able to share a variety of tasty dishes while taking turns with the kids.  The restaurant staff was also surprisingly accommodating and nice to our party of 11.

IMG_9993We had enough time on Wednesday morning to do some swimming and have breakfast together before check-out.

IMG_9991We had such a fun time with everyone and the Westin was a great place for all of us to stay.  Their 1-bedroom suite was perfect for our family of 4, they have a decent pool, and it’s walking distance to a bunch of restaurants and tasting rooms.  We didn’t need our car all weekend and the kids had a fun time. Traveling with kids is definitely a different experience but totally worthwhile.

Happy 40th, Jes!!

 

Almost back to some kind of normal

IMG_8964Hello! Peanut is now 3 weeks old and life is getting into a routine now.  My mom and I (lately just my mom) have been taking KK to school in the morning and then take a nice morning walk home.  Thankfully, we’ve had some nice weather.

My recovery has been good so far but I had a little set-back earlier this week when I woke up on Monday morning with chills and body aches.  My head was also hurting for a couple more days.  Since I didn’t have a fever, I waited until Wednesday to see if things would clear up before calling the doctor.  Fortunately, I felt like a million bucks by Wednesday morning.  The OB nurse actually called me on Friday just to check in and I asked about the symptoms.  She said it sounded like hormonal symptoms and not an infection.  Well, that’s good.  Glad I got over all that quickly.  As of Wednesday, I’m down 20 pounds from my maximum pregnancy weight (which was only 15 pounds) but my body hasn’t exactly gone back to normal yet. I’m still walking a lot and when I tried to run the other day, I was pretty sore after.  When I asked the OB nurse on the phone, she said to hold off on running and lifting weights for another couple weeks until I have my follow-up appointment with the doctor.

IMG_9120We’ve had family over to visit and it’s fun to have all the 2nd cousins (above) and 1st cousins (below) together.IMG_8826

IMG_9333Traveling is going to be quite the circus next time we all have to fly together.

IMG_9200The other day, Peanut and I went out for a quiet lunch together.  I had a turkey sandwich, one of the things I missed while I was pregnant, and it was SO yummy.

IMG_9224This week, I had my first Happy Hour with the girls from work.  It had been a couple years since we were all together and all able to have a glass of wine at the same time.

IMG_9223We had dinner and got to catch up on everything.  I always have a good laugh with them and they got to meet Peanut.

IMG_9220It was just what I needed to recharge.

I’ve really missed seeing these girls everyday.

IMG_9325This weekend, we went to Hog Island and I got some tasty raw oysters and halibut crudo.  Aaaah…so nice to be able to eat raw stuff again.

IMG_9047These past few weeks have been a little crazy but when I see these two, it makes it all worth it.  I’m happy that I have this time at home with them and look forward to watching them both grow up together.