Anna's 11th Birthday

Anna celebrated her 11th birthday at the mall with Natalie and Sabrina. We gave each of the girls a shopping allowance and they hit stores like Forever 21 and Justice. It was interesting to see how each one spent their money, and how long they could spend in each store!

Thanks for making the cake Yumi!
Thanks Lily and Kim for the shopping party inspiration!

13.1 Los Angeles, Tinkerbell Half

I ran two half-marathons in the month of January. The first two photos are from the 13.1 Los Angeles race which started in Venice Beach. The next two are from the finish line at the Tinkerbell half. And yes, I'm wearing the same shirt in both runs. I had a great time at both events, but I think I'll take a break from signing up for anything major for a while... it's nice doing some exercise on my own for the fun of it. :)

Tinkerbell Half Marathon

Last month, Yumi and I participated in the inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland. Lots of women (and a handful of men) ran the course. Some of the highlights included seeing lots of runners in fairy wings and tutus, and jogging through the parks and Sleeping Beauty's castle. Yumi and I took this photo after the race at Mile 4, located on Downtown Disney. Lots of fun!

7-11!

Slurpees from 7-11, their ages now! Happy birthday Anna!

Happy Birthday Juju!

We had a super fun time on Julia's 2nd birthday. We had brunch and cupcakes at Rob and Mari's place. After opening presents, we walked to the Santa Monica pier on a picture perfect day. We all rode on the carousel, not once but twice, much to the delight of the birthday girl. Lunch was tasty as well, Kyochon chicken, and beef rolls in Culver City. What a fantastic party! Happy birthday Julia!

Valentines Treats

Roses, Pinkberry Tart yogurt, sipping chocolate and spiced hot cocoa from Kean Coffee

Schooner or Later

Our meal at the end of the month for January's payday was Schooner or Later in Long Beach. It is famous for its scenic views and tasty food. I had to order "The Mess", a blend of chopped ham, onion, and bell pepper grilled with hash browns and eggs, and topped with melted Cheddar cheese. Steve ordered the turkey club, and the kids had chicken, fries and onion rings. Afterwards we took a stroll along the boat docks. Another tasty meal at a new restaurant for us!

El Dorado with Anna's Friends

I took Anna's Girl Scout Troop to the El Dorado Nature Center. We opted for the two mile hike, and we all enjoyed the outdoor scenery as well as the nature center. I gave them some personal space so they could feel like they were leading the way vs. having an adult shadowing them everywhere. If I were a fifth grader, I would like to have this group of girls as my friends. :)