Birthday getaway to Disneyland

Edwin & I flew down to Disneyland for my birthday. We stayed at the Worldmark Anaheim resort (thank you Dennis) since Dolphin's Cove was not available.

We renewed our Annual Passports and headed into the park. The park was decorated for Halloween. Disney does such a nice job (as usual).

It was great to see all the kids running around in their costumes (there was a Mickey's Trick or Treating party going on that night). Since most people were over at California Adventure for the party, the Magic Kingdom was not too crowded.

We headed to Space Mountain which was "redone" for Halloween -- complete with scary music and scary images throughout the ride. Not really my cup of tea (as I hate things popping out at me) but I had to ride it at least once.


We went on Small World because they have added some "Disney" characters to the cast. Pretty cute. Mulan and Mushu were there.

Unfortunately we won't be going to Disneyland during the Christmas season this year, but we will go to Disney World next Christmas season.

They have cool new balloons at Disneyland. Check it out.

I LOVE DISNEYLAND!!!!!

Jaden goes to CAS with his grandparents

We got to take Jaden to the California Academy of Sciences on Thursday. We had a great time.

Jaden loves this place ... his parents take him here all the time.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Once we got to the Academy, we went to see the fish in the aquarium. Jaden loves the fish. He likes to just sit and play near the "floor-to-ceiling" tanks and watch the fish. He also likes climbing up and down the stairs just in front of the tank. In the other parts of the aquarium, he likes the tanks that are on the "lower-viewing" level -- just right for him.

We looked around the aquarium for about one hour, then headed to the "Toddler Area". This is a great play area for kids 0-5. It gets pretty crowded there - the first time we went, there was a sign saying the play area was full and please come back. The second time, WE GOT IN!!!! There are tons of activities in there for the little guys. Jaden had fun playing with the chicken in the chicken coop with her eggs and playing in the garden where the potatoes grow. I don't think there is an area in that place that he DOESN'T like. We played here for about an hour, then realized he should have eaten lunch one hour ago (oopsie).

The only negative to the trip (which really wasn't a negative - Jaden probably thought it was great) is that I forgot to check Jaden's food bag before leaving (his mom usually packs this thing). All he had in his food bag was applesauce, apple snacks, green bean snacks, and the ever-popular Trader Joe's O's. There you go ... a good nutritious lunch.

After eating lunch we headed back to Jaden's because it was WAY PAST HIS NAP TIME. The schedule is always messed up when Goong-Goong comes along.

We had a good time and we look forward to going other places with Jaden.

I know it has been a long time since blog entries. I will try to "retro blog" (as the kids call it) and fill in the blank area.

Alaska ... part 2

For some reason, the system wouldn't let me upload the rock-climbing video on the last post, so I'm just making another one.

We stopped at Skagway and Juneau. We took the White Pass and Yukon train to the top of the mountain. We even found a book for Jaden titled "Grandma and Grandpa go on the White Pass and Yukon train", so of course we bought it. In Juneau we went to the fish hatchery and went to the Glacier Visitors Center. Edwin walked toward the glacier (while I tried to find Jaden the perfect souvenir) and saw wild mountain goats ... pretty cool. Of course we went shopping at all the ports.

There was so much to do on the ship. I took a couple of scrapbooking classes. We attended a competition between the bartenders (looked like two-baton day at Nationals) and we watched how to make towel animals. We also played Bingo and watched a man behind us win a 7-day cruise and another lady win a jackpot of over $4,000.00 -- that was very exciting. Edwin went to the gym and used the treadmill (and saw a whale tail in front of him -- the whale's tail just came out of the water). We played goofy golf and Edwin did the rock climbing thing. Here's a quick video of that.





Can't wait until we go again.

Grandparents go to Alaska

Edwin & I went on our first 7-day cruise to Alaska. It was simply amazing. Here is a short slide show of some of the pictures we took. Enjoy ...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We were able to book this cruise with our Wyndham points that were going to expire so it was a good deal .. actually free except for port charges. We got a room with a balcony so we enjoyed looking at the scenery just outside our room. The cruise started and ended in Vancouver BC, but we were able to purchase the airfare with our points too.

We flew to Vancouver early on the morning that the cruise left. We headed straight to the cruise dock. Oh yeah .. you know those colored luggage tags the cruise line gives you? Well I put them on our luggage (I thought that is what the paperwork said) and apparently our luggage went with the people who had paid for the transfer to the ship. Ooopsie ... we couldn't figure out why our luggage had not come out at the airport - it went straight to the bus!!!!! I was a little worried that our luggage had NOT gotten on the bus but the lady at the counter said that's where it had gone. When we saw our luggage being loaded onto the ship when we were doing the disaster drill, I was definitely relieved.

Edwin liked the buffet the best. I think he just liked the desserts. He had a great time trying all the different kinds of food and desserts.

Edwin went on the Zip line at Icy Strait Point. It was billed as the longest zip line. Edwin took a bus up to the top of the mountain where it was FREEZING. He was wearing two coats and he was still cold. They were told to stay together on the trail down to the zip lines as there were bears in the area ... wonderful. Edwin enjoyed the zip line as it was his first time. We found these cute little stuffed eagles and you could have put in a salmon can and mailed back home, so we got an eagle for both Jaden and Hui-Hui.





The glaciers, waterfalls, and scenery were breathtaking. I can't really think of the right words to describe them, you'll have to go for yourself to see them.

We will miss you Tai-Tai

Edwin's mom passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 19, 2009. Here is the slide show that we put together for her service. I got a little carried away while scanning old pictures (there were so many to choose from) - it's about 15 minutes long, so feel free to stop it whenever you have seen enough.

Somehow Jaden learned to say Tai-Tai before the service. I'm sure this made Edwin's mom laugh, clap, and jump around in heaven (for those of you in the family, I'm sure you can visualize this).

She will be missed by all but we are glad to know that Edwin's parents are together again.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Jaden goes to the Academy of Sciences

Jaden goes to the Academy of Sciences quite often. This time I was lucky enough to go with him. Here's a video on him enjoying the penguins. You'll have to forgive my terrible videotaping as I usually just get backgrounds and stuff. You get the main idea anyways ... HE IS HAVING A GREAT TIME!!!




I'm a little prejudiced but everything he does makes me smile. He is such a good and cute baby. We are so lucky. I can't wait until we go to Hawaii!!!!!

Keep coming back as Jaden learns new things every day.

Look out world ... he's mobile.

Time for babyproofing. Jaden is on the move. He seems especially interested in the kitties.

JADEN'S FIRST SNOW TRIP

We all went to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days so Jaden could see the snow - plus the big guys wanted to go snowboarding. Edwin, Sharon, Dennis, and Jennifer arrived around 10:00 on Thursday night. Melo & Kenji arrived around midnight. On Friday, Dennis, Jen, Kenji, and Melo went to Diamond Peak to go snowboarding. Edwin and Sharon stayed behind and went to the store and got the "home theater" set up. We always have fun watching movies projected on the wall at the condo. The kids came back around 4:30 - with Dennis walking strangely. Apparently he fell down and jostled his neck and back, so into the hot tub he goes. I think it made him feel a little bit better as he didn't walk as stiff-looking.



Jaden, Michelle, and Brandon come up on Saturday night. You should have seen ALL THE STUFF they brought with them. See pictures ... this is not even including the baby's bed which we brought up. It really is like moving house!!!! I had forgotten how much planning it takes to travel with a baby.












While Michelle & I were out buying the baby some cooler pajamas (the condo was really hot), Edwin and Jenny got Jaden in his snowsuit (sorta) and took him out for a walk -- his first look at snow. We stop the van and get out the little sled and let Jaden have a mini ride down a little part of the parking lot.






























The next day we go to saucer hill with Jaden. It was actually snowing while we were there. Jaden wasn't sure how he felt about this cold weather and white stuff, but after a while he was smiling again.



It was a great weekend!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Make a Smilebox postcard

Six months old already???

Jaden turned six months old and he has learned so much. He loves to go to the Academy of Sciences and look at the fishes. He loves the Rain Forest too. He loves to go to the Zoo and look at all the moving animals. He really enjoys just looking at trees in the wind. He is just a very happy baby.

Jaden can sit up by himself now (but you still have to look out for the occasional face plant). He loves to reach for things and grab them and play with them. He tries to crawl but he basically looks like he is swimming on dry land. Jaden continues to have rice cereal and veggies. So far he has eaten peas, green beans, and squash. He loves to eat "big boy food".

If you haven't already noticed, Jaden's "au naturale mohawk" is NO MORE. His hair is finally long and heavy enough to lay down. It's amazing how much older he looks with regular hair. He is still sooooo cute (I'm just a little prejudiced).

The kids started the baby on this sleep training thing. I was skeptical as I did not want to sit there and listen to him cry ... but it works. You just go through the little regimen - diaper change, read a story, darken the room, turn on his "music" (white noise), and put him down for a nap; and tadaaa ... he is asleep in less than five minutes - a lot easier than walking up and down the stairs with him for 20 minutes to put him to sleep. Whew ... no crying. I understand that he actually does better for Laura and I during the day than he does for the kids at night.


















Edwin watched Jaden on a Wednesday when Laura & I went to Anaheim to attend CHA. He was a little nervous about watching the baby all by himself but he did GREAT. He took Jaden to the park and they played on the slide and swing. The only thing ... he put Jaden in a pair of khakis and a polo shirt to go to the park. Jaden was a little overdressed for the playground. No biggie as Jaden doesn't play in the sandbox yet. So I guess if Edwin is ever needed again to watch Jaden during the day, he will take the day off to be with the baby.



















I had to post this picture. The kids put Jaden in pigtails to send the picture to his brother who sent a picture of his daughter in pigtails. I had to show you the picture because Jaden just makes the cutest little girl you ever did see. Isn't he adorable????

I LOVE BEING A GRANDMA!!!!!