The Getty Center

Nestled at the foot of the Santa Monica mountains is a wonderful little place called The Getty Center. It is a beautifully constructed museum with gorgeous views of the city, and best of all...it's free! Parking is typically $15, but after 5 PM on Saturdays, it is free. We spent a lovely evening overlooking Santa Monica, exploring the museum, and dining on fish tacos that I had packed.

The view from the Center

The girls like anything involving water

Sophie getting a hand from Trung

Listening to the museum guide

My favorite structure, I found it quite amusing

The moon over LA

First guests

Jason and Betty hung out with the girls and I in LA for the afternoon before leaving for their flight back to Austin. We had a sushi lunch at SugarFish, which was very good, though a bit strange because they did not offer bento boxes or noodles; I probably won't be back anytime soon. Afterwards, we had dessert at PinkBerry and then I showed them our place. We were so glad that they could come out and visit us; say "hi" to everyone back at home!

At the fountain at Marina del Rey waiting for our table

Jas and Betts, our first guests

Welcome to our humble abode

The girls' new Tinkerbell shower curtain. I wish the extra space in the bathrooms was put to better use, like extra room in the living area instead, but overall, the apartment is pretty cozy.

The bunk bed in the girls' room that we bought in Beverly Hills from Craigslist

Gotta have the hanging letters I made for the girls before they were each born

We sold our TV to the Austin tenants and are currently watching shows on a computer monitor. We'll probably get a TV in our next place since this set-up is working out pretty well. Too bad I won't be able to watch anything "live" anymore, like DWTS. :(

Dancing Dogs

I was cleaning up around our place while the girls were playing in their room when I heard clapping followed by a "thank you, thank you". Apparently, Lydia was teaching Sophie how to present "dancing dogs" in a mini show.

A San Diego Day

Our Austin friends Jason and Betty are in town on their way back from Taiwan, so we've been making plans to meet up with them. They planned to visit the famed San Diego Zoo, so even though it is a two and a half hour drive from West LA, I decided to take the girls. I woke up nice and early (at the same time Trung gets up from work), but still didn't manage to get out of the apartment until just before 9 AM. We arrived at the zoo just in time for lunch with Jason and Betty; boy, was it nice to see some familiar faces! We saw lots of animals and some shows and finally called it quits around 5:30. Then we dropped by and visited with ACC friends Robin and Sabrina before heading back home. It was a long, but very fun day!

Jason, Lydia, and camels

The gals with a baby elephant

Posing with the slumbering panda; we never did get to see him awake.

The Chen family in a few years. :)

On the aerial tram; Lydia loved it and couldn't stop talking about it!

Me and my hula girls

Lydia enjoyed her visit to the San Diego Zoo!

Lydia, me, Sophie, Ava, Sabrina, and Pierson

Exploring

After having to carry the girls pretty much all morning yesterday, we decided to purchase a sit and stand double stroller from Craigslist. We basically bought from the first person that got back with us and were happy with our purchase.

So far, the girls enjoy their new ride.

We had lunch at Corner Bakery and explored Manhattan Beach mall, which was quite small. I bought my last Gymboree and Janie & Jack purchases (ever for my store), which was bittersweet. After Sophie took her nap and Trung & I took turns exercising at the fitness center, we explored around our apartment complex.

Behind our apartment...gotta love the mountains (and Sophie's upside down sunglasses).

Santa Monica & Venice Beach

We've been having fun exploring West LA during the weekends when Trung is at home. Today we hit the Farmer's Market in downtown Santa Monica and had lunch at a sports bar called Yankee Doodle. Personally, I felt that this market was a bit overpriced and dirty, so I think I'll stick with the Playa Vista one across the street. After lunch we strolled along the 3rd street Promenade until Sophie threw a big fit and we had to leave. The weather was a bit cloudy, but the sun finally came out during lunch.

Lydia hogging free samples at the Farmer's Market

Lydia holding her eyes open after insisting on taking a picture with this ice cream trash can.

Posing with the "change" dolphin; the kids each contributed a penny

Taking a break while the kids had fruit snacks

After everyone (except Lydia) took naps, we packed some edamame, oranges, and cheerios, and hit the beach...Venice Beach. We took the free water shuttle bus and met some nice people along the way, but I did lose my cell phone too. (Oh well, I can get a full upgrade in a few days anyways). We still enjoyed the sun and sand, and a delicious Mediterranean dinner at Gaby's afterwards.

Snacking on edamame on the beach

Trung laying an egg in his homemade nest

Testing the waters

Trung and his girls at Venice pier

A little chase on the beach

Lake Balboa

The kids and I met Susanna and Ethan at the Lake Balboa park; the kids had a fun time playing on the enormous playgrounds and watching the ducks in the lake. I heard that the cherry blossoms are a sight to see in the Spring, but I'm sure we'll be back before then AND with some bread for the duckies. We went to The Stand for lunch, which was recommended by a complete stranger and it was really good; I've been having fun trying out new eateries.

Lydia and Sophie mastering this step thing

I had to post this picture because it was too darn cute!

Watching the ducks from a safe distance; the girls are such scaredy cats

Lydia and Ethan jumped out of their seats to dance to "Twist and Shout"

BBQ Welcome Party in Orange, CA

My brother Mike and cousin Ben hosted a welcome party for us at Ben's house today. We had a Texas-style dinner with ribeyes, corn on the cob, baby asparagus, baked potatoes, and an assortment of fruits and desserts. The weather was awesome as usual and we had a great time! It's good to be here!

Walking over to Ben's house from Mike's house, one block away

Enjoying Chinese taro cake

My cousin Christine and I, I can't believe she's in college already.

Pinkberry

I've heard about this place called Pinkberry for quite some time, but never got to experience it until a few weeks ago in San Jose with Bert and Judy. Now we are hooked! The yogurt is much healthier than ice cream and they have a hidden secret topping that we love...mochi bites. Looks like we'll be filling up the punch card pretty quickly!

Enjoying the Pinkberry experience

At the shopping center across the street from our apartment complex; the farmer's market is right around the corner.

A place to call your home

After we received the keys to our new place, we went to check it out. It was a decent apartment with huge bathrooms, which took away from the living room. We are on the second floor and have neighbors on both sides, but at least the stairs and elevator are nearby. Adjusting back to apartment life after six years of living in a house will definitely take some time.

Lydia and Sophie enjoying the openness of our new apartment

The girls tried several different spots at the local playground to have their snack

The playground had the coolest swings...premium seating as Trung called them.

We met up with the Wong family Sunday for dim-sum. I've never had to wait for seating at 11 AM, but it was worth it. The girls enjoyed playing with their old pal Ethan as well.