Browse Category: holidays

Christmas Eve

For Christmas, we drove down to LA on Thursday (12/23) and as soon as we arrived in Buena Park, I headed over to Yorba Linda where the UCLA girls met up at Linda and Shaun’s house.  It was so fun to hang out with the babies.  Linda’s youngest son, Christian, was just smitten with Sandy’s little girl, Mia, and followed her around with her sippy cup all night. Later that night I picked up Jes and Jason and we met up with Dayantha and Huy at Shipmates.

On Chirstmas Eve, we met up with the family for a big lunch at Thai Nakorn.  We all got to catch up and opened a few presents.  Brother and Joy bought me a stick blender and Jes got a currency colostomy bag.  Awesome.  Thanks guys!

For dinner, we had a big dinner at Ten Ten complete with Peking Duck and salt and pepper pork.  Yum.  Jia had just arrived Christmas Eve morning so it was great to have the family back together again.

Early Christmas

Koa got an early Christmas present from his buddy, Little J.  We named him Señor Fluffball.  Here’s a video of the dog opening his gift.  He loved it so much that within the first 5 minutes, he killed the squeaker.  Señor Fluffball has been silenced.  WHA. WHAAAA….

Happy Birthday to Bangerang

Last night we gathered at the Chiang residence to celebrate Bang’s 36th birthday.  They had just brought Baby Rowan Kirin Chiang home that afternoon so we also got to hang out with the little dude.  Check out the little smirk on his face.  Cute.

That evening, Bang had gone out and purchased his own cake, had a little something written on the cake, lit his own candle, almost started singing to himself, and cut his own cake.  Luckily, he had a bunch of good friends around him to witness this momentous evening.  Happy Birthday, Old Friend.

Baby Bang

Today the Bangs became parents.  Vyl went into labor last night and delivered this morning.  They don’t have a name chosen yet so until then, his name will be Baby Bang.  Or maybe Bang Jr.  Whatever…he’ll have both names.

After dinner, Jes and I stopped at the hospital to meet the little guy and to see how his parents were holding up.  At less than a day old, he’s not doing much but he’s certainly a cutie.  Looks like the whole family is comfy in their hospital room, which reminds me of a Motel 6, and handling things moment by moment.

Congratulations to Vyl and Bang!  And welcome to the world, Baby Bang!

Holiday Party

On Saturday night, I hosted a Holiday Party for my co-workers.  We are a deprived bunch and deserved a more festive party this year compared to our pathetic lunch last year.  We had about 40 people show up and we had lots to eat and drink while enjoying each other’s company.  I ordered all the food from Pete’s next door and also made a Costco run for appetizers and drinks.  Everyone chipped in $20 per person and also brought their own booze to make this all possible.

Midway through the party, we had some familiar faces singing Christmas carols for the crowd.  Jes and I had bid on this at a fundraiser and found out a couple weeks ago that it was actually a bunch of people we already knew.  So, when they started singing, I called Victor and Susie to come down to watch too.

By the end of the night, the older folks went home and we were left with the usual HH crew and their significant others.  We continued to eat and drink and played a silly game of “Celebrity”.  Overall, the party was a success and we all had a fun time celebrating the end of the year.

Here are the photos from the party.

My Apple Pie is getting better.

Ryan and Michelle held their 4th Annual Pie Party on Sunday afternoon and it was at Ryan’s work office down the street this year.  I made two pies: a skillet apple pie and a pumpkin pie with walnut brown sugar topping.  I think I finally figured out how to make a decent crust and my apples came from the Farmer’s Market this year.  The pumpkin pie was just for fun since I wanted to redeem myself for the not-so-good one that I made on Thanksgiving Day.

This year, there were way more sweet pies than savory pies.  There was a mac and cheese pie that everyone thought tasted delicious but didn’t vote for it because we all either thought it was cheating or we were just pulling for a sweet pie to win this year.  Mine were the apple pie in the two-handled pan and the pumpkin just to the right of it.

In the end, Vyl won.  AGAIN.  For the third year in a row.  Oh well…she certainly does make good pies.  This year, she won with a chocolate bourbon pecan pie that really was tasty.  The prize was a lighter in the shape of a small fish.  It was pretty funny.  There were 4 apple pies this year (including mine) and I came in 4th place overall with the most votes out of the apples.  I guess I’m improving.  At least that’s what I’m telling myself.  One day I will win with an apple pie…one day.

Here are the photos from the party.