JADEN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

The Christmas spirit was alive and well at the Youngs' house. Jaden went to see Santa. He also went to see Santa on the decorated Cal Train -- along with a million other people. As usual, Jaden was dressed for the holidays -- so cute. Jaden even attended a small gathering with the Syndication family including Lisa Oto!!!! That was so much fun to see everyone.

Hui-Hui came out to visit starting on December 14th. We had a lot of fun together. Hui-Hui really loves Jaden. She loves to hug and kiss Jaden. She was here for two weeks and the time went quickly.

Our Christmas celebrations started on Christmas Eve at Tai-Goong and Tai-Por's house. Brandon didn't get to come because he got sick but we photoshopped him into the family picture (well .. actually Paint Shop Pro).



The next morning everyone went to Jaden's house for Christmas morning. We had lots of fun watching Jaden tear his Christmas wrapping paper and play with his new toys. He wore the cutest Santa hat you ever did see ... little people size. Jaden started eating rice cereal so we enjoyed watching him try to eat his cereal (it was basically milk in a spoon - so runny - hahaha). We had a great time. We weren't rushing and we kind of went into the time we were supposed to be at my mom's house for Christmas (oopsie).













Jaden's next stop was back at Tai-Por & Tai-Goong's house for Christmas with all the family. We did the crazy gift exchange AFTER Michelle, Brandon, & Jaden had to go to Brandon's grandmother's house for Christmas with the Youngs. Michelle text messaged us that she wanted the Coach scarf from the Gift Exchange so we tried to win it for her. Our gift exchange is always fun ... some people brought rather interesting gifts this year.

It was a great first Christmas for Jaden.

JADEN'S FIRST DISNEYLAND TRIP

We decided it was time for Jaden to travel to Disneyland to see the Christmas decorations, snow, and fireworks -- so off we went for three days. We went From December 2nd through 4th - avoiding the MASS OF PEOPLE once school was out.

Jaden had a great time. He rode Nemo the submarine ride, Dumbo, Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, and even went on Toy Story Mania (two times). Jaden's parents rode a bunch of other rides while Por-Por and Goong-Goong stayed outside and played with Jaden.

Unfortunately the days we went there were NO FIREWORKS!!!!! Rude. But it did snow and Jaden was awake during the snowing. He had a wonderful time even though he won't remember it -- but his Mommy will, and that is important. Jaden even won "A Million Dreams" hat when we came out of the Winnie the Pooh ride (along with the rest of us too). Woowoo... the winners. Uncle Dennis said everyone won one of those hats since they had to get rid of them by the end of December (party pooper Dennis).

Jaden did really well on the flight both down to Disneyland and on the way back. We will go back again soon once he gets bigger. Maybe we should do Disney World next time.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

November Happenings

November was quite the busy month. Lots of things were happening. The main thing is Michelle WENT BACK TO WORK. So ... Sharon spends at least three days a week in San Mateo. She is loving EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Edwin is so jealous.

Jaden had his SECOND Red Egg and Ginger Party on November 8th. He almost slept through this party too. I think this party also had about 200 people in attendance. Jaden was being such a good boy. He was being passed around from person to person and didn't seem to mind it at all. It was a very nice party.

Jaden continues to grow and become more and more aware of everything. He is so funny when he cracks up and "cackles". Michelle sent us a video on Edwin's cell phone while we were in Orlando of Jaden laughing. We must have played that thing at least 10 times a day -- and every time we would crack up with him. People probably thought we were strange people.

Jaden has LOTS of cute hats. Here is a picture of one of them. I think his mommy put the "I voted" sticker on it.

Here are a couple of pictures from Thanksgiving. I got to sit on a motorcycle with my Goong Goong.

Jaden's first Halloween

Jaden was a dinosaur for Halloween. He was soooo cute. I believe he went to two Halloween parties (play group parties) and even kept his hat on for the pictures!!!!! Jaden even got to go trick or treating at the mall. Hmmmm ... I wonder who ate his candy. Edwin even got into the act and went trick or treating at Sea World's Spooktacular event when we went to Orlando. He brought Jaden home a trick or treat bag.


Do you remember the corn and peas costumes I bought Jaden before he was born? Well they found a new home through Craigslist (I took pictures of Jaden in them before I gave them away) to some lady with twins.




Jaden also had several Halloween outfits. Here are a few other pictures.

Grandparents go on vacation!!!!

We took a quick trip to Orlando about a week after the baby party. As usual we had a great time. We went to Disney World (EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom). We also went to Sea World which is always fun.

For the first time we went to Cape Kennedy. Edwin was in heaven there. It was amazing how HUGE everything was. We spent the day there but really needed another day to see everything ... oh well, next time.



While we were there we heard that Senators Obama and Clinton were going to be speaking at the Convention Center in Orlando. We went to see what was happening. We were there about five hours before they were going to get there and there were A MILLION PEOPLE there. Oh my. We decided not to stay but bought a t-shirt for Jen and a couple of buttons -- one for Hui-Hui that said "Kids for Obama". There was a lot of excitement in the air along with the millions of people.

The week went by very fast and soon we were back on the plane headed for home .. with the addition of goodies for the baby - hahaha. Yeah, I know, OOC.

We can't wait to go back again ... the next time WITH Jaden. Now that will be lots of fun.

JADEN'S RED EGG & GINGER PARTY

On Saturday, October 11th we had Jaden's Red Egg and Ginger party at Silver Dragon in Oakland Chinatown. We had approximately 200 friends and family attending. Jaden wore his little hawaiian shirt and was the hit of the party - even though he slept through most of it.


The party went on without a hitch - except I was a little spazzy when the man only delivered one pig and there were supposed to be TWO. Eeekkk. Luckily he had to go back and cut the other one and then bring it a little bit later. Whew.

We had fun making a collage of pictures of Jaden to put on display. We even took a picture of it so we could reconstruct it at the restaurant. Of course when we get there it doesn't fit on the table right, so we ended up breaking it in half and putting it on the doorways where you enter into the party. It was cute. Big thanks to Aunt Cindy for helping with that.


Michaela and Connor helped pass out the favors (thanks!!!!!) and Hui-Hui put them in order on the table.



Bridgette Ridley (Michelle's maid of honor) flew in from Cincinnati to attend the party. It was a surprise ... when Michelle saw her they ran and hugged (SQUISHING Jaden between them). It was great.

It was a fun party and over very, very fast. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did.

BABY PARTY COUNTDOWN ...

With the baby party less than two weeks away, I actually think we are doing well. Pigs ordered, cakes ordered, red eggs ordered, RSVPs in (have to call a couple of stragglers -- but not many), favors in the making, and pictures being reviewed. Hopefully everything will come together. I'm sure they will.

Cindy, Paul, & Hui-Hui arrive on Friday, October 3rd, so we have a couple pairs of extra hands to help us get ready -- THANKS FOR COMING IN EARLY.















Jaden continues to grow and learn all kinds of new things. He LOVES to play with his Goong-Goong. They have lots of fun times together. Edwin tends to get the baby excited so he has to be careful what time it is when he plays with him. I'm sure Michelle doesn't appreciate when Jaden won't go to sleep until midnight.

We will write again soon. Keep watching for new posts.