Redwood forest steam train

One of the highlight of the trip so far (for Yoshi), was to ride on the Roaring Camp railroad train that goes inside the redwood forest. It was actually very nice seeing all those tall redwood trees, amazing how there were all those train tracks up in the mountain (middle of nowhere). What a great experience.

Since we came to San Francisco, not sure if it's the jet lag or excitement, the kids woke up around 6:30 every morning. The record was 4:30 for Kiharu. They sure are enjoying the sunrise in the west coast.

San Francisco (old) friends

What is more special during the holiday then to meet up with old friends. It's been 15 years + since I met my high school friend- Frances. Thru the facebook, we got in touch again and finally met up today for lunch. The last time we met, we were both still wearing high school uniform, attending classes together. Now, we are both married and having our own kids. Wish we live closer together so we can see more often. Frances, thanks so much for the fun time together, you have a wonderful family. Take care. Hope to meet again soon.

The other family we got to meet up is Saito family. We were college friends. Last time we met, there were no kids, felt like it was only a while ago. It was so great to finally meet Midori-chan. Yoshi was asking about you this morning....(Thanks Ryo-chan & Ida for the dinner)

Hello San Francisco

This holiday, we have escaped the snowy Cincinnati to a rainly San Francisco. After the 15 hrs flight to Hong Kong this past summer, the 4.5 hrs flight to San Francisco was much easier to handle. The kids seemed to have adapted easily in the flight cabin as well.

Ho Ho Ho, Merry X'mas morning....

Now who's camera sensitive?! (we had brought only little gifts along just for the holiday spirit. All the other gifts are still under the tree back home)

Christmas day- no where open except the Jewish Museum. We were there not for any religious reason, but for the Curious George exhibition. After reading so many George stories to Yoshi, it's so cute to see the exhibit. It's not huge, but kind of cute to see all the original artwork. Yoshi was able to relate to all the stories as well. A fun thing to do on the day when everywhere else was closed.

And where else would be opened on the holiday? of course Chinese restaurants. Thanks Cecilia for the recommendation on ABC restaurant, we ate a lot in there. Yoshi finished his whole plate of roast pork rice. The bun next to him was actually being finished by Kiharu (in addition to a bowl of congee that we brought along, she had really good appeite during this whole trip)

(More fun to come......)

Merry Christmas to you all

(Kiharu was already sleeping)

Christmas Eve Greeting

Yeah, after waiting for a full year, Otousan's long holiday is finally here. We (I) will be spoiled with having him around 24/7. Ho Ho Ho...

Yoshi made that ornament at school, the teacher wrapped that as gift to parents.

One day, I saw a bunch of gingerbread man cutout decorated in the school hallway. The kids glued all different papers or stickers onto each one. They were usually randomly decorated. EXCEPT I was a bit suprised seeing Yoshi's....almost wonder if those snowflakes were coincidence?! ^_^............ happy holiday everyone!!

Christmas gathering

This past weekend, we had invited some friends over for a pot luck dinner. The food that everyone prepared were delicious. Yoshi was so happy to see all the kids, especially Sarah & Andrew. We really enjoy spending the holiday with great friends. Thanks everyone for coming.

Wow, it was a caotic but FUN moment when everyone opened the gifts at the same time, al u hear was "Wow" "Thank you" "Yeah".... Yoshi was sure living his moment with his big box (Thx Nora & Mitsue). Ho Ho Ho... (Crystal, I think this is counted as fulfilling your wish to see the kids opening gifts under the x'mas tree... ^_^)

"Sneaky Ki" (Kiharu)

When Yoshi was a year old, he did this sneaky trick to grandpa. Kiharu has interrited the same gene, but yet to realize her brother knew all about it, so her plan failed.

Snow....b-l-u-r.r......

Nori has an overnight business trip. He left right before the snow storm arrived. So while Kiharu was taking her morning nap, me and Yoshi were out shovelling the driveway. This is Yoshi's first snow fun of this winter, he had so MUCH fun.... and this is my first shovelling of this season, so far I'm fine, but wait till tomorrow morning, let's see if I need any patches on my back. Otousan, we miss u.

I was trying to capture his pink cheeks after the cold temperature outside. But he kept giving me this cheesy upclose smile.......xoxoxo.

Singing

Ok Anna, u wanted to see us (me) singing with the kids, here you go. But u know, no one can out sing/perform little Yoshi. Ho Ho Ho.....

Playing together (sort of)

Thanks everyone for listing your wishes. Santa Clause is working on all your requests. ^_^

Uncle Henry, this is for you. You hope to see the kids playing together..... do u mean sort of hanging out together instead? ^_^ Ho Ho Ho!!

What do you want to see?

I always tell people, writing this blog is a huge part of my contact with outside world (I mean all of u, family & friends). Everyday, there are many little things I want to share, about kids, about our daily lives. It's always fun to read your comments (Thank you). Though I don't respond to each of those, but me and Nori for sure enjoy knowing there are many friends out there.

Well, two more weeks to Christmas, it's time for santa to grant some wishes. I thought it might be fun to let u tell us what u want to see (photos/ videos) on the future blog post. It could be anything, camera(wom)man is ready. Trust me, winter is long, there are plenty of time to capture any moment / anything u want to see....^_^ just leave a comment on this blog post, and santa will grant your wishes in the future post. (u don't have to sign up any account for leaving comment, just click "anonymous", but remember to leave your name at the end of the message)

Ho Ho Ho!!!

A different kind of heredity

I thought heredity usually refers to genetics/ gene, didn't realize m-o-l-e could be part of it as well. ^_^ (grandma also has a mole within half an inch of the radar)
The "mole" conversation:

Me: "I have been thinking someday I want to remove that mole"

Nori: "I think it's ok..... as long as it doesn't have a hair growing out...."

We are back

These past 2 weeks felt like 2 months..... after Nori & Yoshi caught the stomach virus, I got defeated on Monday night as well. The overnight viomiting (not to mention the unexpected 4a.m call from Kiharu) left me powerless on Tuesday . Luckily the kids were very good, Kiharu took a morning nap, Yoshi was able to entertain himself between toys and videos. I got the true taste of "mother of two". I'm finally recovered now, energy level back to normal (had to...). This was one bad virus, luckily we aren't suffering at the same time. Hopefully, that's it for us, so we can all enjoy the wonderful holiday season. Take care everyone, stay healthy.