Monterey Bay Aquarium

On Monday we went to Monterey Bay Aquarium. The girls napped on the way down almost the entire trip down. To prep them we played "Finding Nemo" in the minivan as we took a long car ride (although they slept through it). We knew they would love the aquarium as they have great affection for sea life.

When we got there they were already so into the seagulls flying up above. We got there by noon and we decided to eat lunch first at a place called the Bushwacker's. The place wasn't that great as far as food goes, but the people working there were super nice. Later there was a line to get into the aquarium. By the time we got in it was packed!!! The girls were in good spirits and were excited to see the first set of attractions like the huge tank with sharks, fishes, stingrays, etc. Sophie enjoyed touching the starfish while Hannah being so girly thought it was gross. They both enjoyed the waterfall both inside and outside of the building, but shortly after that the girls started to get tired. We made it to the otter exhibit and I really wanted them to see the seahorses since that was the special attraction and both Soph and Hann love seahorses. It was at that exhibit where I had to call it quits. The place was even more packed than the other attractions and the girls patience had worn thin by that point.

Outside of the aquarium things returned to normal, but we figured we all had enough and mommy really wanted to go to a foofoo toddler hat store called "The Little Hat". Both girls modeled some hats for mommy and we ended up with two very cute handmade knitted hats (pics to follow). We also made a stop at the Nestle shop!!! Mommy bought some apple juice for us, chocolate chip cookies (which were surprisingly not good), peanut butter chocolate cookies (which were really yummy), and a brownie (ahh ok).

On the ride back "Finding Nemo" was on re-run and the girls were exhausted and took another nap. It was a fun road trip out :)

Sophie and Hannah looking at the huge tank filled with sharks, fishes, etc.

Sophie touching the starfish and other sea life.

Starfish!

The girls try to touch the stingray.

Soph and Hann wait for mommy outside of Nestle.

The twins hugging "nemo" and seahorse.

The seahorse exhibit!

Here comes the wave!!! Hannah and Sophie really enjoyed the waves.

Hannah makes some friends.

Waiting for the wave indoors. Wow!!!

Sophie touches the starfish.

Merry Christmas 2009!

It was a quiet holiday week off with the girls as we celebrated at home on the mainland. The weather is starting to get colder and colder and every year it always gets me melancholy to be away from the islands during this season.

This year Derek had time off and we got to have some quality time off together. The girls were shaking off the last leg of a cold (yes again!!!) and the first day out we went to the Kennedy park out in Union City with Lauren and family. Sophie tripped in her new shoes and pretty much her face tells you what happened that day (see the pics).

On Christmas the girls opened their presents and had a grand ole time. Their favorite gift was the coloring books that Auntie Joy sent and it was hard to get them to open the rest of the gifts as they were crying to color their new books. They eventually opened the rest of the presents and we spent the day at home. Later that night I convinced Der to take us out to see the Christmas lights out in Pleasanton and we were sure glad we did. Apparently other families do that kind of thing too (you can find the places quite easily as the cars line up on the streets. The idea came to me from my friend Adel who suggested this site for the best Christmas lights in the bay area) and the houses we went to were so spectacular (just like a mini amusement park!) we ended up only going to two houses as it was just too much to take in. The girls had fun and so did we.

Our little Christmas tree.

Sophie and Hannah opening some presents.

Hannah loving Daddy and Mommy's gift - zhu zhu!

Poor Sophie and her cut up nose and mouth :(

Emi Emi.

The first house we stopped by in Pleasanton it was mind blowing, but little did we know that the next house would be so much more. This house was a corner house and had lights that wrapped around the corner. The garage had tons of toys fenced in with the Christmas theme. On the side of the house they had two mini scenes. Yes, there were donations for their electric bill.

Mommy and Hannah look at one of the many scenes at the second house we saw in Pleasanton. This house was amazing!!! The front yard had signs and lights which directed you to the back of the house. The backyard was so HUGE it contained so many different scenes and it seems like there was a miniature golf course that resided under it. It had to be the best Christmas light house in the area. It too took donations for PG&E.

Mommy looks in wonderment and Sophie explores every scene.

Sophie runs to the front of the house.

The girls open their first present.

It was too cute to see them dancing to the Beach Boy's Christmas song, but little do the girls know that mommy dislikes Beach Boys. This was in front of the second Christmas lights house.

Meeting our buddies part 2

Here are some pics that Auntie Maan took of us last week when we went to Kalesa for lunch.

Auntie Neren with Ethan, Sophie, Eamon, Sammantha, and Hannah.

Munchkins!

Sammantha and Hannah pose for a pic.

Sophie copying Auntie Neren by sitting on the post.

Holiday Party

Today started off with the girls (Lauren, Soph, and Hann) playing in their pajamas. They all did puzzles, played with trains, and watched part of G-Force. The holiday brunch over at the Ko's lasted all day long until early evening. The girls had lots of fun playing with all the Uncles and Aunties. They got to meet up with Zachary too.

Lauren, Hannah, and Sophie drinking their watered down juice, eating organic apples, and watching "G-Force".

Holiday party with Dana, Marcus, Chris, Ray, Flo, Zachary, Micah, Eric, Liz, and Lauren.

The girls opened their gifts from Auntie Flo and Uncle Ray and put the bows on their head.

Lauren, Sophie, and Hannah opened their presents.

Zachary and Sophie look at daddy Der for a pic.

Meeting our buddies

Sunday we met up with our friends at a Filipino restaurant called Kalesa (6 babies and toddlers and 9 adults) out in Milpitas for lunch. The girls enjoyed their food alot and Hannah ended up eating quite a bit (which is a huge deal these days because she's so picky). They ate Shanghai lumpia, boiled eggs, spaghetti, and adobo rice. After lunch they had fun romping around on the sidewalk playing with the restaurant's sign and playing with Auntie Neren.

Later we tried to go Christmas shopping at the Great Mall, but it was too insane. Mommy gave up and called it quits. I guess shopping is going to be done during the week or online :(

Hannah hangs out with Hello Kitty in the kitchen and shows off her new house slippers.

Sophie joins the fun!

Mommy is so funny!

2nd H1N1 shot

The girls got their 2nd H1N1 vaccination on Saturday (At our local firestation makeshift clinic in Hayward in the rain and somewhat long line). After their vaccinations Sophie cannot nap and so she lays with daddy.

Moo Slippers

Hannah tries on mommy's cow slippers. It's Friday and the girls got up early and decided to hang out in our room while we got ready.

Christmas photo shoot and visiting Cadence

Today we were doing a photo shoot for our Christmas card, so I posted some of the shots that will not be on the actual card, but I couldn't resist to post these pics because the girls are just too adorable (yes, mommy syndrome). This was outside our favorite Chinese restaurant in Fremont called Ala Shanghai.

Before that we were shopping at Old Navy for some winter gear, but ended up with some much needed boots and warm house slippers for the girls. After lunch we met up with the Yangs and got to meet Cadence for the first time (the new addition to the family).

Later we went to Target and finally found some rain resistant cold weather jackets for the girls. Apparently there is a shortage of that, so mommy quickly snatched it up. Still no mittens, but maybe next week mommy will be lucky when she shops for Christmas gifts. The holidays is quickly coming upon us and we are once again behind on our shopping, cards, etc.

Sophie and her Pooh bear. What a cute smile :)

Sophie lets Pooh take a pic and Hannah tries to smile.

The new big brother, Ethan.

Mommy holds Cadence.

The girls run on the wall as mommy tells them to slow down and come back.

The cold weather begins!

The cold weather began a few days ago, but this weekend it really kicked in at about 46 degrees. The girls didn't mind because playing at a park is more fun than caring about their hands being cold. Mommy did bundle them up real good with some heavy jackets and some nice winter hats. Here we are playing at the Union City park before our trip to the new Costco in Hayward this past Saturday.

Sophie points to a doggie running around the park. Meanwhile look at that huge jungle gym in the background. Not as big as the Kennedy park in Newark, but still impressive.

Mommy looks on as Hannah climbs up and goes sliding off the bigger slide.

Sophie deciding what to do next.

Hannah on the rocking horse.

Hann stares off the jungle gym.

The sun was setting and it was time to head to Costco.



Smiley Sophie sliding :)

Sick and Stir Crazy

The 4 day holiday weekend was a bust as the girls were sick throughout the holidays. We thought the girls were recovering because they had picked up a cold the Sunday before and by mid-week they seemed better. We spent Thanksgiving quietly at home where daddy made an excellent dinner of turkey breast from Costco that was marinated, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and last but not least some pumpkin pie. The girls were not keen on the pumpkin pie, but Sophie did enjoy the turkey and mashed potatoes. Hannah my little carb baby only ate the mashed potatoes. Both girls didn't enjoy the pumpkin pie!!!

On Black Friday the girls were still coughing away, so we decided to take it easy but I knew they were a bit stir crazy so we took them to a deserted park up in the hills... Apparently other parents thought the same thing and they took their sick kids to that park, so mommy quickly packed us up and left the park because she didn't want us picking up anything else.

By Saturday Hannah took the turn for the worse and developed a fever. We had to skip out on a friend's get together Thanksgiving party and hoped that by resting that day Hannah would feel better. The afternoon looked promising and I can't remember what we did, but we did not venture out. Hannah's fever went away and we thought she was on her way to recovery.

Sunday Hannah's fever returns and mommy starts to freak out and starts doing research online before rushing Hann off to the ER. Mommy eventually gathers her cool and decides to wait it out until Monday. During the afternoon Hannah bounces back with no fever and we get some fresh air (because by day 4 the girls are super stir crazy) with some lunch out and grab some fruits and veggies from a quick run to a farmer's market.

Monday Hannah's fever becomes really high, so we take her to the doc where he confirms that she does not have H1N1 and that it's a cold that worked it's way up to an ear infection. Some antibiotics later, we are monitoring her. Two days of monitoring and it's all just the doc's theory! The doc tells us if she doesn't get better in two days Miss Hann will have go to back in. Sophie in the meantime is super stir crazy (and pretty much recovered except for that lingering cough) and tomorrow will probably go to daycare.

Daddy stayed home with the girls today as he caught the twins' cold. Tomorrow mommy will stay home with Hann Hann and make sure she rests well while Sophie goes to daycare and burns some of that energy out.

By Doctor's scale the girls weigh:

Sophie - 28.5 lbs
Hannah - 24.25 lbs

My poor Hannah eating some organic fruit cup for dessert.

Sophie scarfs on some chocolate pudding.

Emi gets a treat too.

Sophie and Hannah's new playground is hiding behind the pillows on the couch since they can't go outside and play.

In action on the new playground.

The Aftermath

After spending almost 2 weeks of sleeping in the bed with mommy and daddy it was a hard adjustment for Sophie to go back to sleeping in her own bed. We are still dealing with both girls transitioning back to sleeping on their own beds. Separation anxiety :(

Also Sophie can climb out of her crib and open the door. Hannah is trying and can get half way over the railing...time to convert the cribs to beds :(

Sophie and Hannah both grew on this trip. Sophie moved up a shoe size to a 6 - 6 1/2 and Hannah moved up to a 5. Both girls got taller too!

Another thing is that on this trip they both picked up a lot of English and can now communicate more with us.

Sophie and Hannah's favorite book at the moment is "Goodnight Moon" and they love the Diamond Head animal cracker cookies that Nana got them hooked on.

That's all for updates...

Aloha Oi

Mommy and Sophie, Auntie Stacie and Hannah.

On our last day on the island we spent the morning packing and prepping for our trip home. After arriving at the airport we were told our plane was not coming and there was a delay. After stressing out and having the girls restless we were told Hawaiian Air found a replacement plane and we were on our way back home (just a little off schedule).

Everyone asks me the same question "How were the girls on the plane?". Both ways going and coming home were very difficult, the girls do not sleep and cannot sit still. We will definitely have to come up with better toys, books, whatever the next time we take a long plane ride. :P

Last full day on the island

On Monday we ate lunch with Grandpa Kage and Nana to say good-bye as we were not going back into town on the day we departed. We headed to Waioli tea room (where mommy and grandpa Kage have never ever ate before and the restaurant is in Manoa!!!).

Nana watches as the rest of us walk into Waioli tea room in Manoa.

We had the chance to visit with our dear friend Janine out in Palolo Valley. Janine gave Sophie a beautiful hibiscus and the girls were again fascinated with her fish in her pond.

Here we take a group pic in front of her house.

They love those fish!

Soph and Hann explore Janine's huge yard.

Bothering Uncle Chris at work. The girls say good-bye.

The girls say good-bye to Uncle Jay at his work.

We stopped by briefly to visit with Uncle Ryan and Uncle Greg.
Daddy with Hannah, Uncle Greg with Sophie, and Uncle Ryan at Uncle Ryan's parents house in Pearl City.

Sophie rocks out in a chair made just for her at Waioli tea room.

Playing with Grandpa Kage at Janine's house. They really like all the flowers.

Sophie is a future rockstar.

Thank you to all our friends and family that made the trip back home so memorable! We are sorry that we didn't get to see some of our friends and family. Travelling with little ones is a little challenging and as the girls get older their schedules will be more flexible. Take care and hopefully we'll see you all soon.