IHOP

Yesterday my mom treated Anna, Sammy and me to an IHOP breakfast, my mom had the day off. While we waited for our food (pumpkin pancakes for me to share with Sam, plain pancakes and bacon for Anna, and Belgian waffles for my mom) Anna got a set of crayons to color the back of the kids' menu. Do you like her ribbon sticker hairclips?



My mom happened to bring her camera and took these photos. Sammy sat on my lap the whole time and was quite content and enjoyed the food and the restaurant. In fact, I must say it was the "smoothest" time I've had with both kids in a restaurant! I can actually say it was a relaxing time!



I highly recommend IHOP breakfasts, good service and good food!

Last "Old" New Post?

I ordered a camera yesterday, so hopefully within days we'll see some fresh new photos!



These were taken in the spring of 2004, Irvine Park has a ton of fun things to do, like train rides... (Anna's here with Tasha... these were the days (and months) Anna preferred wearing all red.)



There are pony rides as well, giddy-up!

The Venetian

During the summer of 2004 we went to Las Vegas, I was pregnant with Sam at the time. We stayed at the Venetian for one night, this is where I want to go for my 10 year wedding anniversary (this fall, a trip without kids, I hope). Our room had a luxurious bed... and a great view, wow!



We went to this restaurant called Aquanox located in the Venetian, and had a seafood appetizer. It was a ritzy restaurant but the staff was accomodating towards active Anna. This photo did not turn out too well, but this running-water wall houses the wine bottles, very nice.




This is the lobby area, Anna and Steve are in the distance. Ritzy!



While we were waiting for our car in the valet area, an accordian player was coming around with some nice tunes... Anna was (and is) wary of strangers, as you can tell by her expression.



It really was a fun, fun trip! A nice getaway!

Snow Angel Time!

Can't resist making a snow angel even if the snow has become packed like ice! Actually, it feels good just laying here!


Whoa! Whee!

Anna's Snow Day

Anna's school brought in 5 tons of snow today, this photo was taken by the school director and forwarded with lots of other photos via email to parents. Anna had a lot of fun making snowballs and snow angels. The day also included a pizza lunch and hot chocolate. What fun!

New camera this weekend?

Hopefully we will have time to purchase a new camera this weekend (my late Christmas present). Until then, enjoy this photo from early 2004!

January 2004

Oh Flik, you're one of my favorite bugs and I loved you from Bug's Life...



Pluto, I love you too but I'm still a little shy at times... and mommy makes me take pictures all the time...

Christmas 2003

Ok, our inexpensive Kodak digital camera has finally given out, about 2 1/2 years and 4000+ photos later. So until we get a replacement I will post photos from when we first got our camera. Here are Steve and Anna at Santa Ana Zoo, fyi elephant rides are available some weekends, and the animals are treated very well.

This was at the annual church Christmas dinner program, they had cute stuffed animals for the little kiddies. Anna looks so serious, doesn't she?

Laguna Niguel Lakes

Every so often I am amazed at the little treasures Orange County has to offer, the other day we met up with some friends (Anna with Ian here) at Laguna Niguel Lakes, which is also a spot they stock trout during the fishing season. It's a nice place where I would like to return just to stroll around and take in the sights.
Whereas everyone else was in jeans and casual wear, Anna created a little commotion with her formal outfit (a Backyardigan nightie she likes to wear as a dress). One fisherman described her clothing as "loud", perhaps she was distracting the fish that should have been biting on his line... hee hee...

Happy Birthday Sam!

What a fun way to ring in the new year, with Sammy's birthday. Rob made the birthday cake, another masterpiece following Steve's basketball cakes (click here and scroll all the way down).



We got a nice family shot despite Sammy feeling a little under the weather, he had a slight fever the day before.



Anna helped make cupcakes so Sammy could have a treat...



He wasn't sure what to think of the frosted cupcake, having never tried cake before... he touched the frosting and smeared it on his hand a little, cautiously. He didn't dive into it like Anna did with her 1st birthday cake.



Happy birthday baby! Strange to think this year he'll be reaching so many new milestones, learning how to walk, perhaps say a few words, getting a haircut?!.... Happy New Year everyone!