Browse Category: outta here

Butano State Park

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We went on our sort-of annual camping trip this weekend at Butano State Park.  It was conveniently located only an hour from our house and in a redwood forest near Half Moon Bay.  It was cold so I was all covered up and there were no mosquitoes to bother me.  That was a nice change.

DSC_6347The campground was nice and they had running water in the bathrooms closeby.  Thank goodness!  We actually had flushing toilets and running water in the sinks.  I came prepared with a step stool and toilet seat for KK to use so she could go to the bathroom without my help.

IMG_5234We also borrowed MaryAnn’s tent, which was really easy to set-up and we were able to fit Jason and Jia’s full-sized air mattress and all three of us slept comfortably inside.

DSC_6401On Saturday morning, we took the kids to a nearby goat far.  They had some cute billy goats in the front.

IMG_5315There was plenty of space for the kids to run around and KK played with Rowan quite a bit.

DSC_6362They chased each other around and looked for banana slugs together.

DSC_6364I had seen a banana slug at the aquarium but never in nature.  They look a little gross at first but are actually pretty cool.

IMG_5284A lot of our time was spent around the fire burning stuff – including marshmallows.  IMG_9874This picture of KK and her flaming marshmallow makes me chuckle.

IMG_5313All the kids had a great time and camping with KK was much easier this time around compared to her first trip when she was 3 months old.

IMG_9888Here is this year’s group photo on our last day.  It was nice having just the 6 of us again (plus the kids of course).  As chaotic as it seems sometimes, it’s still fun to go camping with these animals.  Hopefully we’ll be able to pull it off again next year with Peanut in tow.

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Here we are on our last trip without kids or anyone with a bun in the oven.  We drove all the way to Yellowstone in a minivan in 2006 with barely enough room for our feet.  I’d say this was still my favorite trip so far.  I can’t wait to take KK and Peanut there to see the bison and stinky springs.

JoshuaTree2003I also found a photo of our first camping trip.  It was the four of us at Joshua Tree NP and it was SOOOOO HOT.  It’s hard to believe this was 12 years ago!  Good times…

Oahu: Day 6

Day Six: 3/10/15

IMG_3405On our last day in Hawaii, we really tried to take advantage of having an afternoon flight home.  During breakfast, Yoon stopped by to drop off some cookies.

IMG_3409Then before we finished packing, we took KK out to the beach one last time where she really made the most of it.  IMG_3413

I love this time of day (~9am) on Waikiki Beach because it’s warm and super empty.IMG_3432 IMG_3515This kid loved splashing around in the water and was such a joy to watch.

IMG_3483After washing up and getting our bags packed, we all met up at the bar for a last drink.IMG_3504 IMG_2605We got a family photo and no one had their eyes closed!!  Amazing.IMG_2579We all said our early goodbyes before hopping in the cars to get to the airport.IMG_2585I knew it would be a little rushed once we got to the airport so this was nice.

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Here’s one last view of the island as we took off.  IMG_3533The flight was super short (3.5 hours) but really bumpy in the end.  KK did great the whole trip but then nearly lost it once we landed.  We were so far back in the plane and wanted to just get in the stroller to go to sleep.  That was the probably the worst 15 minutes of our entire trip.

Can’t wait for our next trip.  I think I should start planning it now so I have something to look forward to.

Oahu: Day 5

Day Five: 3/9/15

DSC_6150On Monday morning, we had brunch at the Moana Surfrider.  It was like a mini celebration of Johnny and Joy’s Anniversary that was on Friday.  This is where they got married and had their morning reception.

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I also took a photo of them in front of the Mahalo sign with the addition of Alice.  They took a wedding photo with this sign 6 years ago.DSC_6171My mom and I enjoyed the rocking chairs for a bit.  I love this hotel.  It’s too bad we’ve outgrown it.  Jes and I will have to return later when the kids are older and don’t have to come to Hawaii with us.  🙂

IMG_3304After brunch, we went to the aquarium.  KK always takes a picture in front of this sign and we added Alice to it this time.IMG_3344IMG_2484In the afternoon, we went back to the pool and got a cabana for the family.  We convince my mom to get in the pool and got a photo of the grandparents with their grandkids.  So sweet.

IMG_3357This kid started out really scared of the kiddie pool but by the end of the day, she didn’t want to leave.  The lips were practically blue by the time we convinced her to come out.  This always happens by the last day of our trip.

IMG_3351For lunch, Brother and I drove to Rainbow to pick up some food for everyone.  I couldn’t resist getting the fruit punch there.  Don’t care how artificial it is…it’s just so good.

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After the pool, we hung out in the hotel room to rest.  I had a pounding headache and KK had missed her nap.  We skipped dinner at Side Street Inn and KK fell asleep super early and was down for the rest of the night.IMG_3382

Once I was feeling better, the family had made it to Side Street Inn and brought back kimchee fried rice for us.  In the meantime, Jes and I pushed KK in the stroller down to the bar to enjoy the last sunset of the trip.IMG_3387

I had a virgin pina colada, which was much more satisfying than the lava flow I had the day before.IMG_3388

We also ordered poke.  I cheated and had a few cubes.  It was SO good.  Man, I really miss this stuff.IMG_3397Here is our dinner.  Kimchee fried rice and Hawaiian Sun.  Perfect.  Thanks for picking up dinner for us, Brother.

Oahu: Day 4

Day Four: 3/8/15

IMG_3157Our 4th day in Hawaii started out with a walk down to Eggs ‘n Things for my favorite coconut waffle.   IMG_3190 IMG_3173 IMG_3180We managed to get a table for the whole family and we were all stuffed when we were all done.

IMG_3196 IMG_3191After a failed attempt at taking the kids to the zoo (they both fell asleep), we ended up at the Moana beach bar where I got a virgin lava flow that had banana flavor in it.  Yuk.  The real kind doesn’t usually have it but mine did.

IMG_3201For lunch, we went to Marukame Udon and I got the udon with a soft egg on top with a few sides to take back to the hotel.

IMG_3251After lunch, we all went to the beach and it was warm enough to go for a little dip in the ocean.

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I took the GoPro out there and caught Jes floating – his favorite thing to do in the ocean.
IMG_3295This was Jes’ attempt at dunking me.  Luckily the water was super shallow all the way out there and I managed to escape.IMG_3214Of course there was time in the sand and Brother dug a moat for KK.  Too bad the tide was coming in fast and flooded every time they were making progress.

IMG_2403Before heading back to the hotel room, we took the kids to the pool and they hung out in the shallow area together.

IMG_3232After a little break in the hotel room, we went downstairs to watch the Honolulu Festival Parade.   IMG_3241This was our favorite performance – it was about 230 Japanese students all dancing their hearts out with high energy and big smiles.  They looked exhausted but also looked like they were having the time of their lives.IMG_3269 The night was finished off with a really good fireworks show over Waikiki Beach.  We got a really nice view from our hotel pool area.
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Oahu: Day 3

Day Three: 3/7/14

IMG_3076On Saturday morning, we headed out to the Farmer’s Market at KCC.  It was already packed at 8:30 in the morning but we got through the crowd and ate some pretty good stuff.  We first wandered around and bought some fresh fruit to eat.

IMG_3082IMG_3073We also stopped at The Pig & The Lady stall for some Vietnamese food.  Brother had noodles and soup while I just had a bowl of their tasty broth. IMG_4108IMG_3087

Jes and I got fresh-squeezed lemonade from two competing stands.  Mine was cheaper and tasted better but he would argue for his.

IMG_3099Our last treat was a little something from Ono Pops.  I got Waialua Estate Mocha that basically tasted like a mud pie on a stick.  Brother got Kona Latte that tasted like Jamoca ice cream from Baskin-Robbins as well as the Lilikoi 50/50 that was like a creamscicle.  All were very good.

IMG_3104After the Farmer’s Market, we hung out at the hotel for a bit before heading out to Yoon’s condo.  She had prepared quite a feast for our little group and served it all in her clubroom by the pool.  They had chapchae, 3 kinds of poke, Chinese chicken salad, Portuguese sausage, and Kahlua pork.

IMG_2275We brought dessert from the Farmer’s Market –  pineapple lime pie and banana cream pie.

IMG_3103We all met little Trevor, who slept pretty much through lunch.  He’s a chunky little guy that Yoon says eats almost every hour.IMG_2277These two little rugrats hung out too and it was funny seeing KK mean-muggin’ Alice when she was peeling her mandarins.

IMG_3113It was so fun hanging out with Yoon – can’t believe she’s a Mommy now!  Some things may have changed but some things remain the same – like the classic headlock hug.

IMG_3120Thanks for having us over, Yoon!

IMG_4181In the evening, KK hung out with the family while Jes and I went out for dinner on our own.  The last time we were out by ourselves was probably last September for a wedding.

IMG_2289It looked like they all had a good time while we were away.

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For dinner, we went to Alan Wong’s.  The last time Jes and I had gone was back in 2000.  Crazy.  This was my appetizer: crab cake (substitute for the tuna tartar that was on the tasting menu) and a grilled cheese made with foie and kahlua pork.  It was on top of a parmesan cracker and cold tomato soup.IMG_3131

This was the butter-poached lobster.  It was so yummy – Jes’ favorite.IMG_3132

Next was the crusted fish.  My memory is so bad that I can’t remember what the actual fish was.  Regardless, it was delicious – especially the sauce underneath.  We also had a meat dish – short rib with gochuchang and a bowl of rice.  It was so tasty that I forgot to take a picture. 🙂

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Dessert was a haupia ice cream with a chocolate and coconut shell served with fresh fruit and lilikoi sauce.  So good but I couldn’t finish it.IMG_3137We also took a photo at the restaurant, which we never do anymore.  Cheers to a fun date night!  Thanks for watching KK, Family!

Oahu: Day 2

Day Two: 3/6/15

 

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Every trip to Hawaii always starts with waking up way too early because of the 2 or 3-hour time difference.

IMG_3916 IMG_3923We all me up at the beach to watch the sun rise and we got some photos of the grandparents and their kiddies.

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A trip to Hawaii also wouldn’t be complete without a good ol’ Local Platter at McDonald’s.  IMG_2969I love how you can get fresh pineapple with your breakfast.

IMG_3027After breakfast, we headed up to North Shore and had lunch at Giovanni’s.  I just LOVE the fried garlic on top of the rice.IMG_2980Jes got the spicy shrimp and it looked REALLY spicy.  Although it was super tasty, I think he was also longing for mine.

IMG_3991One cool thing we saw at the shrimp truck spot were a bunch of hens and their chicks running around.  KK has been singing a song in Spanish called “Los Pollitos” (little chicks) and now she was able to see them up close!  They were so cute.

IMG_2999The most logical stop after having garlic shrimp is Matsumoto Shave Ice!!  Duh!  Surprisingly, Brother had never gone before!!

IMG_4042Anyway, it turns out they had a big renovation and instead of a crowded, dark, hole-in-the-wall shop, it is now a happy-fresh place that has plenty of ventilation and a brand-new parking lot in the back.

IMG_3026 IMG_2211The funnest part of the trip was watching the two kids go to town on their special treat.  It was a big messy fiasco once it started melting and dripping but they had a blast.

IMG_3013 Brother and I enjoyed the fried apple pies that we picked up from McDonald’s on the way over.  IMG_3014Why is Hawaii the only place that still fries their pies?!  It was as tasty as I had remembered.  KK also had a taste and said, “I love it!”

DSC_6135Our last stop was Laniakea Beach and saw “Olive” snoozing on the beach.  KK kept yelling “It’s Crush!” and I just let her.  Why crush such an innocent spirit?

IMG_3031The rest of the day was spent at the pool.  It was a little too windy for all of us so we moved over to the beach.IMG_2221

It was really funny watching KK eating her ice cream cone with her hands covered in sand.  Both ice cream and sand were everywhere and she simply didn’t care.  When she was done and there was ice cream all over her hands, she just went into the sand to “wash” her hands and then started digging again.  IMG_3053Being a kid in Hawaii has to be the best thing ever.  This kid has no idea how lucky she is to have been there four times already before her 3rd birthday.

IMG_3067While Brother and Joy had their anniversary dinner at Azure, Jes and I went to Arancino for my uni spaghetti.  Once again, KK was sleeping in the stroller tucked under the table.