Christmas Eve Performance, Goodbye 2008!

Anna performed at the Christmas Eve church service, she is at the second row from the top wearing a white sweater dress. Pastor Chuck introduced the group. These kids practiced every week for the past several months, they sounded great!


There is Anna on the big screen, top row.
Hope you enjoyed the blog entries from 2008, lots more to come in the New Year!

Dorcas

We visited our dear friend Dorcas, who lives in Los Angeles adjacent to her church. She is 93 years old but doesn't show it. Dorcas told us that being active in her youth and early adulthood helps her to be mobile now.

Anna has a special connection with Dorcas, as Dorcas held her as a baby and told Anna, "I love you," at first sight of her.


We had a nice time visiting with Dorcas. Anna took this great photo.

Fashion Island at Night

Another catch-up blog entry... last week we went to Fashion Island to check out the gigantic tree at night. We met up with Dion and Lucy, mom Thao took this excellently clear photo with her camera.


These photos were taken prior to Christmas, can't you just feel their excitement?


This is one of my favorite photos of the season, these happy kids could not stay still! They wanted to rush from one place to the next, unaware of other people in their path!


Bye bye Christmas, until next year! We had so much fun.

Legoland Christmas

At the beginning of our winter break we went to Legoland, we love seeing the Christmas decor everywhere.


Here's a full view of Santa and his sleigh. I think Sam pointed out that not all of Santa's reindeer were present.


Here is a super-rare photo of me with both kids. Sam is not a camera-poser like his mom and sister but wanted to "join in on the fun" (his new phrase).


Woo hoo! I can tell you who I think is the greater beauty!


We visited a part of the park we hadn't checked out before, the Lego Art Gallery. (I believe another (more realistic) replica of Thinker is displayed in Pasadena at the Norton Simon.)


Believe it or not, the day started ominously with a fussy boy wanting to go home asap but it ended up being a very nice trip! Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Day, Take One

We had a wonderful Christmas day. Rob set up the camera timer to get a photo of the whole group.


The day started around 7 am, when Anna woke up; Sam got up soon after. The kids opened lots of fabulous presents, thank you relatives up north and down south!

Anna's main gift from us was a... karaoke machine!


Sam unwrapped a plane/train set, helped out by his sister of course.


Anna changed her outfit at least 3 times on Christmas day.


Sam would have been fine opening up one or two gifts for the day. He enjoyed each toy before moving onto the next one.


At 9:30 am our guests came over for more presents and brunch. The menu included ham, mashed potatoes, breakfast pasta, spinach dip, french bread, and this delicious fruit tart cake.

Christmas Day, Take Two

We all thoroughly enjoyed the karaoke machine, probably the adults most of all. (Sam and Michi seemed quite confused by all the ruckus.)


Mari could not keep her hands off the mike! Check out each of their lovely sweaters by the way...


Anna even got Mama and Yumi to sing Elvis' "Blue Christmas".


During the song-fest, Sam enjoyed the messy solitude of the living room with Daddy.


Cute photo of Mari and Rob! Fun times this Christmas Day!

Winter Moments 3

A couple weeks ago when the weather was warmer, eating fried potatoes...


Those potatoes must have been extra tasty...


Setting up camp outside, spending time with the stuffed animals...


Happy hour with coworkers...


And an ornament Anna made of Sam.

Winter Moments 2

In front of the enormous and spectacular Christmas tree at Fashion Island...


Posing while Steve holds the camera in one hand and carries Sam with the other arm...


A letter Anna wrote to the teacher's aide Ms. Kristina for Christmas, loving the line that says, "I hope you won't get a flat tire"...


Sammy is gentle and methodical while helping with the mini-muffins...


A photo of Sam before his Christmas performance, so handsome in his argyle vest.

Christmas Card Photo and Outtakes

We were fortunate to have Rob take photos of us on Thanksgiving Day, he did a great job taking several lovely photos in less than 10 minutes.


I love Anna's cute smile in this one, but of course Sam and I weren't quite ready.


Oh my goodness, the same two culprits were not photo-ready!


I just adore this photo, even though Sam is ready to be elsewhere.


Another excellent one of the kiddies, but Steve is clearly carrying two weighty kids!

Jib Jab

We purchased one of the videos from Jib Jab and they had this accompanying photo to go with our download. Love it!

Joy to the World

Sam's School Performance

Tonight Sam performed in his school Christmas program. Steve and I were not going to pressure Sam to participate in case he was extra nervous or unwilling, but he seemed really interested when we talked to him about it, and so last minute we decided to go. You would think the stage was filled with celebrities, they way all of us were taking tons of photos.


We didn't want Sam to spot us in the audience to elicit fear or tears... he seemed a little nervous at first but he was comfortable on stage pretty quickly. I'll post a short video... do you see him in the front with an argyle vest, about a head taller than his classmates next to him? We were so proud of our little guy. What a trooper! Sam had a lot of fun, it was an unforgettable night.

Winter Moments

Waiting in line for the newly remodeled Small World...


Stepping on snow at Winterfest...


Then going on a mini-cruise...


Sammy showing off his piercing blues...


Anna posing near a pretty tree...


And the kids enjoying their Christmas tree at home.

Coldplay, eat your heart out

Exposition Park, Part 1

The weekend before Thanksgiving we went to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The kids wore matching outfits (recognize the red shirts?) and were super excited for this outing.


There were smoke machines...


Large-tubed telephones...


Instruments galore...


And interesting sculptures. Part 2 to follow!