"Valencrimes"

A friend of ours wrote a scathing editorial one year with the aforementioned title referring to the blessed day of love as a "crime" against men, basically. This for the cliched and obvious reasons men WOULD think it's some sort of crime to have the expectation of an outpouring of romantic adoration for their lovely wives and girlfriends placed upon them.
While I did enjoy the article, I still love V-day. And as you will see, we welcome many different forms of expression of love in our relationship--even miniature race cars...

And thanks to Josie and Justin for coming with us and blowing a wad to speed around in little lawnmowers for a half an hour...oh, and for lapping me 48 times. In my defense, 27 and never had a speeding ticket, not one. Thank you.
Super fun, we'll see you at the tracks next year!
(PS Re: group photo--Hello gnome in the land of trees)

Girls Trip!

Last weekend I had a little reunion weekend with my friends from high school--Sarah, Sarah, Leah, and Kirsten (So yes, together we make Sarah, Sarah, Leah, Lia and Kirsten!) Here's Leah, Kirsten and Sarah at Kayla's basketball game on Saturday morning...

...us at the house...

...then we were off to the Westin in San Francisco! We met up with our other friend Sarah in the city and did a little shopping! Did I mention that we could see the Chinese New Year parade from our 26th floor window?!

And here we are at a little breakfast place called Mama's in North beach--it was an hour wait, but well worth it as you can see!


Such a fun weekend--I think it's incredible that whenever we get together, which is not too often, no matter how much our lives change, we can so easily pick up where we left off! Thanks for making it happen girls!

Somehow I missed some things...

Ryan's birthday was on January 9th. As it was HIS special day, he wanted to go to Sushi, so did Kayla, so I was outvoted:( We went to Blowfish Sushi--it was kind of a mod sushi place (complete with techno music) which you wouldn't necessarily picture children in (or US for that matter, because we're so not that cool), but they had multiple flat screens situated around the dining room with anime (of course) playing. The kids dug it. And the food. Me too actually (although make no mistake, I ate nothing that hadn't been cooked), we'll definitely do it again.

And to top off the evening, I went to an authentic Mexican bakery in East San Jose to get him his favorite, Tres Leches cake. Delish.
AND as if that wasn't enough, he got not one, but TWO calendars of TWO of his favorite things: VW Vanagons and wooden boats! (Kayla only smiles for pictures when you don't actually want her in the picture).

Then he went to Thailand for two weeks for Navy Reserve...this is where he stayed...and I stayed home with the kids...that's fair...

But he did bring us back some local treasures! Not pictured: 2 pieces of "designer" overnighter luggage for me, a purse, 2 wallets, pair of cute heels...he definitely came home with more than he left with! So, we took the gifts and forgave him for living in 5-star luxury for 2 weeks.

And of course, it wasn't ALL that bad staying home, thanks to my Mom! She came up and spoiled us for 2 weeks and we had a great time too! Thanks mom/Grandma Rose, we love you, but we're glad to have Ryan back too!

Connie Chung

Connie Chung is my college roommates hilarious sister.
She's the original blogger--been blogging since she was 12, and now she's 20 PS Happy Bday Connie.
I added her to my friends list because...she is hilarious. Check her out.

I love Kayla

She brought this home from Primary on Sunday. I know I complain sometimes, but being a mom is the best!

PostSecret

Over Christmas my brother-in-law showed me this blog.
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
An intriguing time-killer. Later that same night we re-visited Hot-or-Not.com. Yes, it still exists and you know you loved it in college too. Although be warned, photos now are a little more trashy than I remember them...if that's possible...

Have You Ever Seen An Angel?

Today is my dad's birthday--he passed away when I was 17. We called him Pop and I never knew it was strange or different to call my dad Pop probably until high school when I called him on the phone and later someone said "Who's Pop?"
But just look at him--no way he's a dad--definitely a Poppa.
So I wanted to post in memory of him today because I need to acknowledge the fact that I completely and entirely have no question in my mind regarding eternal families and existence of angels, particularly in my Pop...as an angel.
Several times over the last 10 1/2 years he has made known his presence to me in subtle and Pop-like ways.
One I will share with you as it is reflected in the pictures below.
Last May we took our kids to Disneyland--it was an incredible trip and we had, as they say, a "magical" time.
I have fond memories of going to Disneyland with my parents as a kid and remember Pop taking us on the Circus Train ride as pictured below.
Well, fast forward, I'm Mom now: as we were finishing up our 2nd day at Disneyland we are exiting the park, full of blissful exhaustion, and over the PA a song comes on--it's the Forest Gump instrumental theme. Random, but this song had particular meaning to me and Pop when he was alive. He was letting me know he was there, he was watching his grandkids and laughing and loving seeing them so happy.
For anyone who doubts, I can share numerous accounts of something of more substance than coincidence.
Happy Birthday Poppa!

Pop with me (in arms) and my sisters, Krista and Jen.