Family Pictures

This is one of the 104 pictures taken while we were in Milwaukee. I know I am a little bit prejudise but I think I have the cutest family!

Catch Ups; 3 of 3

The last day we were in Hawaii, we visited the Dole Plantation. I love the pineapple in Hawaii; they are sweet to the last bite and there is no acid or sour taste afterward. I couldn't believe how many different types and varities of pineapple there is. One fact we were told is that pineapple are pick when they are ripe, some could be still green on the outside or some yellow. It does not continue to ripe once it is picked. So the key to pick a good pineapple is to pick one that the leaves are firm and smell good and we should eat it as soon as we get it because instead of ripening, it is rottening slowly if we don't each right away.

August 24 to August 29, 2010

Two days after we came home from Hawaii, we unpacked and packed up the van and took Brenda to BYU for her to start freshmen orientation on the 25th. Of course, it was another busy week as we set up Brenda's room and also packed up Ada's stuff so she could move out of her condo and move into a different place at the beginning of the month. For a few days we were camping out at Alicia's place until Brenda moved into the dorm and we left. Ada will be moving to her place September 1st.

Catch Ups; 2 of 3

August 16 to August 21, 2010... Oahu, Hawaii:

Brenda, Elsie and Parris decided a few months back that they would like a Senior trip to Hawaii. Of course Ted and I could not let three 18 years old go by themselves. Brenda searched the internet and found some good prices for air and hotel; so off we go... a week after we came back from Milwaukee, we packed our bags and headed to Oahu, Hawaii.

We spent our first day in the Polynesian Cultural Center. The weather cooperated, even though we got rained on at first. We dried up quickly and had a great time, learning how to hula, played the white little ball on a string. We enjoyed the luau and the new night show called "H^A".

Picture with Ada's friend from the mission, Sele. He is studying at BYU-Hawaii and working as a tree climber at the Samoa village. He is also the one that got us tickets into PCC:

Wonderful Pineapple drink at the Luau:

Visiting different village and learning how to swing the little white ball without hitting ourselves:

The next day, Wednesday, we spent the morning at local swap meet. The day started out nice, slightly overcasted and who could believe I got sun burned on my shoulders between my neck and my shoulders. Then we dropped the girls off at the hotel and they walked over to Wikiki beach to sun bathe. Ted and I went to Costco to gas up the car and we bought some famous hawiian nut. I just love Costco; their prices are the most reasonable even in this tourist town. They still have the $1.50 hotdog and $2.50 chicken bake as every Costco has.

The girls did not like Wikiki beach because it was too crowded and the beach seemed polluted so off we go the next day, to North Shore instead.

Ada had told us about this little Cafe in Laie that is famous for their banana pancake. We all wanted to try it but unfortunately we missed the breadfast hours on Tuesday. I was impressed that the girls were able to get up quite early for us to drive the one hour trip from Honolulu to Laie. We made good time and true to the recommendation, the pancakes were good. I also like their macademian nut pan cake too and of course loved to have spam/egg and rice for their breadfast. We also found their Chicken Katsu to be quite delicious. So whoever visit Oahu next will definately have to visit the Hukalau cafe. After breadfeast, we visited the temple where Ada had served the first 3 months of her mission. Unfortunately, the Laie temple has been closed for a while for renovation.

We also stopped by the Point of Laie. It was fun to walk all the way out to the ocean to see such magnificant waves, seeing the water crashed into the rock and the formation of the rocks after years of being crafted by the sea water.




Afterward, we drove to North Shore where the girls took lesson on surfing. They made it look so easy, although they told me that they were so tired from pedalling with their arms, they just waited for their instructor to come and get them instead of pedalling over to her.
Lesson on the land before the real thing:



Let the waves come:

Catch Ups 1 of 3

It is time to update my blog since I haven't keep up with it the last few months. Life has been busy so here it goes.

June 17 - June 20, 2010

Another milestones was our association with Bristish Dancing Academy. The girls started ballet lessons with Ada first in 91, then Alicia in 93 and Brenda in 97. Every year since 91, we had celebrated our anniversary, Father's Day, and Justin's birthday at British annual performance. This year marked our 29th years and the year that Brenda graduated from British Dancing Acedamy. I didn't think it would affect me but as Ted walked up to the stage to present Brenda her senior bouquet, I found myself tearing up. It was so nice to see her dance as Peter in Peter Pan. Not only did she do a great job, she also made me felt proud and ccomplished... I couldn't dance myself, but I could dance thru my children. Their joy are my joy!!

Although all our girls had graduated, both Ted and I will still be back at least for the next few years to voluntee helping out ushering and be back stage helpers. It is a habit we find ourselves hard to break after 29 years!

The cast: Peters Shadow, Music Box (Linsie), Peter & Tink

The Rest of the Cast:
















The Asian Trio: Parris Ancheta(Peter Shadow), Elsie Nguyen(Tinker Bell), Brenda Yan (Peter Pan) ; all graduated from High School and British. Parris is heading to Central Washington University, Elsie to University of Washington and Brenda to BYU









The family: Brenda (Peter) with Ada and Alicia; with Mom and Dad


July 29 to August 7, 2010

So the two days after I took my IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) Exam, we took off to visit Justin and Jessica in Milwaukee. The last time I was there last April, I had offered to help re-paint the front room but Jessica could not decide on the paint color, so this time she was able to find the color she wanted and we set off to work. Couple night we painted till pass midnight and we weren't sure if the color would be too light or too dark, but after a good night sleep, we awoke to a beautiful greyish blue color that I think I might put in my family room too. Here are some picture (I have to borrow from Jessica's site because my camera had disappeared from all the travel):



Before:


After:


Besides painting, Ted was busy fixing the water drain on the garage and weeding out the garden so that it will be ready for next year's planting. Of course, Brenda was a big help also, although she felt like youth conference all over again because it is service time!



We also enjoyed Milwaukee's famous Friday fish frys at the famious Lakefront Brewery. They only served on Friday evenings because of the tradition that Catholic monks can only have meat on Fridays. It happened when we were there, they were kicking off a celebration of their festival.





August 1 to August 5, 2010

Ada and Alicia arrived Milwaukee on Friday evening (7/30) and we went shopping for clothes so that we could take family pictures. We then went and watch Wicked. The last time we watched Wicked was when we were in London 2007. Ada was on her mission in Hawaii and Justin was still single. This time we had the whole family. I had watched this from the front row in London and this time from back on the orchestra level. I had forgotten how beautiful the set was and it was fun to see the whole stage instead of just what is in front of you!

The next day on Sunday, after church and dinner, 6 of us left Milwaukee and Justin and flew down to Orlando, Florida. We had originally hoping that Justin could take a few days off and joined us, but because of just started his clinical rotation, he couldn't leave but he was willing to let his wife go. So we did... We spent three full day at Universal Studio and of course the highlight was visiting Harry Potter Adventure village. We got to visit Hogwarts, the Hogwarts Express, Olivender's wand shop, Hogsmead and even have lunch at the Three Boomstick. The only complaint I had of this trip was the temperature; ... If I had my swimsuit, I would have dressed like the girls... It was just too hot and humid for me!







Ted even celebrated his 57th Birthday at Universal and got a free birthday dinner at Tobe Japanese Steak House. We had a great time.