Getting Ready for New Year's

There wasn't much time to rest after we came back from our trip to visit Ah Mah and Ah Gong. That night mommy's friend from school came over with her family for dinner. They played with me and Aki and our toys while the grownups talked and talked!

Daddy, mommy, her friends, and a couple of Santa's helpers

The next day we went over to Aunty Hattie's house for mochi making.

Aki tried on this funny slipper

Then we made mochi balls

I helped to put the rice in the machine

A short nap later and Uncle Jeff's family came over for dinner.

Eating mommy's home cooked Thai feast

Aki being silly

Uncle Jeff documenting Aki's harmonica talent

It's been a busy week getting ready for New Year's and there's still New Year's to come!

Legoland

The day after Christmas we decided to skip shopping and headed south to the happiest Lego place on Earth!


Lego elephant shooting water

Lego triceratops!

I got to drive the Legoland Express!

And my own little car! I had to steer and hold down the gas pedal. Good thing I've been practicing with my tricycle!

Aki only went on two rides in the park--the Legoland Express and the boat ride. She was too small for the other ones. Good thing they had cars from the rides that she could climb on outside the rides' entrances! Doesn't look like she misses the real ride!

Of course there was real Lego

Daddy, don't be scared, Owen's here

Mommy and Daddy really liked the mini land.

Mini San Francisco!

Mini Santa Claus falling off a building!

Mini Hollywood Bowl!

Mini breakdancing Santa!

Mini Owen sliding down big slide with mini Mommy!

Mega Thomas!

We really loved Legoland. Especially me. Next time let's stay all day!

Christmas in SoCal: Day 5

Owen and I found lots of presents in Ah Mah's living room when we woke up on Christmas morning.

Santa brought us what we asked for - Percy for Owen and Rosie (purple train) for me.

Ah Mah and Ah Gong got us music books along with Laura Numeroff books with Mouse and Moose.

This is us after opening all our presents from family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

Afterwards, we drove up to see Uncle Steven, Aunty Jeanie, cousin Mia, and baby Sean. Here's Uncle Steven and Mia teaching Owen how to bowl.

We also had an ice cream party with playdoh.

Baby Sean is just a couple of months old, but oh so cuddly.

We had picked up lunch from Lee's Sandwiches on the way up, so brought it along for a picnic at a park. The adults had Vietnamese sandwiches, but I think garlic bread is the yummiest.

We had so much fun playing at the park. They even had ducks there, just like at the park we used to go to in Boston.

For Christmas dinner, we met up with Aunty Tim, Uncle Noi, Aunty May, and Uncle Nicky for dinner at Ton Ten Ko. Owen and I were so excited to be reunited with Aunty May.

The group shot (minus Aunty May who was taking the picture). Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas in SoCal: Day 3 and 4

On Wed, Mama thought it would be fun to take us to Kidspace, a children's museum in Pasadena. Daddy had taken us there before in May. Like last time, Owen and I had a lot of fun there.

Playing in the Early Childhood Learning Center.

Our favorite activity was riding the tricycle on the trike path. We got to ride on a 2-seater, but I was scared Owen was going to crash us into something.

Later that day, we met up with Mama's high school friends, Aunty Jen and Aunty Reena. Aunty Reena's little girl, Abby, is just 2 weeks older than me! We had fun playing at Aunty Jen's house before getting dinner at Din Tai Fung.

After dinner, we walked down to a bakery that mama said she wouldn't frequent again because of the bad customer service. Even so, Abby and I wanted cakes!

The next day was Christmas Eve. Ah Mah surprised us with tickets to Disney on Ice show! Owen was reluctant to go at first, but as soon as we got there, he was sitting on the edge of his seat.

After the show, we had to go pick Daddy up from the airport. Good thing he didn't miss his flight this time.

For dinner, Ah Mah made us a special seafood dinner with steamed lobster, steamed crabs, crab fried rice, and a yummy salad with ginger dressing.

Later that night, we took a stroll around Ah Mah and Ah Gong's neighborhood to see the holiday lights.

Reindeers!

Owen's favorite - Choo Choo trains

Another Choo Choo train

This was the prize winning house

Before we went to bed that night, Owen asked Daddy to leave a treat for Santa - lobster and eggnog. I bet Santa loved it! Merry Christmas!

Christmas in SoCal: Day 1 and 2

Last Monday, Mama took Owen and me on a big airplane to visit Ah Mah and Ah Gong in California. It was a long plane ride. Even Owen said, "Ah Mah lives really FAR away!" Daddy couldn't come with us since it was his first day at his new job. Mama commended both Owen and I on our good behavior during the flight. I think having new sticker books and new movies to watch helped distract us. We also napped for half of the flight, giving mama some quiet time too.

As soon as we landed and retrieved our bags, Ah Mah and Ah Gong took us out to dinner at their current favorite Japanese Restaurant. Owen and I hadn't eaten much on the plane, so we were super hungry!

The next day was my cousin Sydney's birthday. We all went to Knott's Berry Farm together, and had so much fun going on different rides and hanging out with our cousins.

The whole gang watching a Christmas show.

On the train ride.

First time meeting Snoopy.

We ended the day with a birthday dinner for Sydney.

Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Hawaiian Santa and Mrs. Claus at Honolulu Hale wishing everyone a Mele Kalikimaka.

We're currently visiting Ah Mah and Ah Gong in sunny California. We've been visiting lots of aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends. We'll have to tell you more about our trip another day. But here's what Owen and I were up to before we came to California.

Last Friday, mommy and daddy took us on a trolley ride to see the Honolulu City Lights.

Owen and I really enjoyed the trolley ride and seeing the city all lit up.

Honolulu Hale Christmas Tree

This was Owen's favorite - the Menehune Train

We had a lot of fun... Although next time we may opt to take the less expensive ride from Ward Center or just park close to Honolulu Hale.

Merry Christmas, everyone!