Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gingerbread 2012

As our annual holiday tradition, we host a Gingerbread party where our friends and family gather to build their gingerbread creations.

Here's what Owen and I did the day before to prepare.

Owen mixing batter
Owen helped to make the batter

Aki rolling out gingerbread
I helped to roll out the gingerbread

Owen's dragon
Owen designed a dragon to cut out

Owen's baked dragon
Owen's dragon after baking

Aki's baked dragon
Here's my dragon after baking

Mama also made 2 sets of gingerbread houses and stars to stack for Christmas trees as well as tons of gingerbread men and women.

We woke up early the next day to help mama make the icing and set up the tables for decorating the gingerbreads.

All ready to decorate!
All ready to decorate!

Aki concentrating
Here I am heavily concentrating on icing my dragon

Aki and her colorful dragon
Half way done!

Owen and green dragon
Here's Owen with his green dragon

It's falling apart!
Mama's worried about the house falling down

Aunty and 2 grandmas joining the fun
Aunty Marlene, Grandma, and Ah Mah decorating gingerbread men and women

Aki and her Christmas tree
I'm making a Christmas tree to leave out for Santa Claus

Ah Mah and Aki with finished Gingerbread house
Ah Mah and me with our finished gingerbread house

What a fun tradition! Thanks to all our friends and family who came to join us. Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Weekend without kids

Mama and Daddy went away to San Francisco for a few days while Owen and I stayed home in Hawaii with Ah Mah and Ah Gong. Apparently, our parents ate their way through the city. Here are some pictures of their trip.

First stop was the Ferry Building for the Saturday Farmers Market.

Ferry Building
Ferry Building

Inside Ferry Building
Inside Ferry Building

Porchetta
Mama couldn't resist the Porchetta sandwich

Porchetta sanwich
Yum!

Varieties of mushrooms
Who knew there were so many varieties of edible mushrooms?!

Flowers
Beautiful flowers

Brussel Sprouts
Fresh Brussel Sprouts

It wouldn't have been a complete trip to SF without a visit to Chinatown.

Chinatown gate
Chinatown gate

Lanterns
Festive Lanterns

They also visited the SF Museum of Modern Art.

Yerba Buena Gardens
Yerba Buena Gardens

Mondrian cake at SF MOMA Blue Bottle Coffee
Mondrian cake at SF MOMA Blue Bottle Coffee

Cappuccino  at SF MOMA Blue Bottle Coffee
Mama's Cappuccino

"Jasper Johns" Grill Cheese  at SF MOMA Blue Bottle Coffee
Grilled cheese sandwich - a homage to Jasper Johns

No worries. They did see some real art.

Calder's Crinkly
Alexander Calder's Crinkly

They also had very nice meals at Great IndiaYank Sing, Cotogna, and the House.

Hazelnut and egg nog gelato
And Uncle Eric took them to Gelateria Naia for this hazelnut and egg nog gelato.

Last day was a beautiful, sunny and clear day.

View of Coit Tower
View of Coit Tower

TCHO factory
A serendipitous visit to the TCHO chocolate factory

TCHOshot - pure drinking chocolate. #intense
TCHOshot - pure drinking chocolate

In-N-Out!
In-N-Out was a required visit.

Owen and I did well while our parents were away. We video-chatted everyday... but I'm glad my mommy and daddy are back.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Aulani Weekend

To celebrate Ah Mah and Ah Gong's anniversary, we took a weekend getaway to Aulani Resort.

Makahiki Restaurant for Character Breakfast
Makahiki Restaurant for Character Breakfast

Family picture with Mickey
Family picture with Mickey

Happy Anniversary, Ah Mah and Ah Gong
Happy Anniversary, Ah Mah and Ah Gong

After the huge buffet breakfast, we spent the rest of the day lounging around in the Waikolohe Stream, going down the inner tube slide, and swimming in the big pool.

Mama and Aki relaxing at Waikolohe Stream
Mama and Aki relaxing at Waikolohe Stream

Ah Gong all smiles after coming down the slide
Ah Gong all smiles after coming down the slide

Owen running under the Menehune Bridge
Owen running under the Menehune Bridge

Owen watching the fishies
Owen watching the fishies

Fish in the reef
Fish in the reef

After all day in the sun and water, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset dinner.

Sunset at 'Ama 'Ama

We had a blast. I've already asked Daddy if we can go back again for my birthday. Owen and I can't wait!