Flash Mob

Lydia and Sophie practicing the flash mob dance that Lydia's entire school will be presenting on Wednesday.

Mammoth

Trung went on his annual guys ski trip this weekend, this time to Mammoth. He said that there wasn't any real snow since it has been a pretty dry winter, but he had a great time hanging out with the guys. While he was away, we girls did what we do best...shop. Well, I shopped while Lydia and Sophie got their fill of Netflix and Youtube videos. What can I say, it's the best way to kill time. :)

Austin buddies together again

"Danger" is Trung's middle name

Snow-less

Until next year...

Long time no visit

Since it was the last day of vacation and Lydia has been asking about the awesome kid's meal at La Grande Orange Cafe, we decided to trek up to Pasadena for the free monthly family night at Kidspace Museum and for dinner. One of our first LA friends, Christine and Elyse, joined us and we had did a lot of catching up. Christine thoroughly enjoyed dinner and there were no complaints from Elyse either. Now for school to start up again tomorrow!

Sophie can bike by herself now

An Elyse sandwich

"Go faster!"


Tonight was Chinese New Year themed. The girls practiced writing their Chinese characters.

Gentle strokes

Hanging on for dear life

Lydia spelled our her name in Wiki Stix

Starting the year at Disney

I finally convinced Trung to purchase a Disneyland Annual Pass and we all went before all the holiday decorations came down. We went to our favorite rides, saw our favorite Disney characters, and watched spectacular shows. We arrived at 9 AM and left at 11 PM, and had a heck of a time!

Trung took the wheel for a smoother drive at Autopia

Who's watching the road?

Grumpy girls

3D Fashionista

Sophie getting a high five from one of the Phineas and Ferb dancers

Too cute!

The "It's a Small World" ride was decked out for the holidays

Watching the Christmas parade

We stood behind the VIP, so we ot lots of smiles and waves from the characters

A special message from Santa


Sophie showing Snow White her boo-boo

"It's a Small World" was so beautifully lit up

Lydia had been asking about snow and she finally got it!


10 PM and waiting for Fantasmic...

which was fantastic!

New Year's 2012

Trung and I had our place to ourselves for the first time in awhile since the kids were all passed out at Snow's place. We didn't really get to do much since we were exhausted from the party and then woke up early (9:30) to pick up the kids to have brunch at M Street in our pajamas. Yes, brunch in our pjs...we'll do anything for a free meal!

A family of seven?

Waiting ourside for our table

A picture of a picture being taken

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve with Eddie Money

Tonight we celebrated the coming of a new year with Trung's co-workers at Shutters on the Beach. We had an awesome buffet with raw seafood, sliders, pizza, an open bar, and desserts; and 80's singer Eddie Money rocked the night away with his hits. Happy New Year!

With my love

Trung got to invite more people, so we invited my good friend Snow, whose husband was watching our five kids

"Take Me Home Tonight"

"Two Tickets to Paradise"


Eddie Money!


The kids were fast asleep while we partied....four little girls in a row.

A holiday week

Though both kids were home from school, the week went by rather quickly. Tuesday, we went grocery shopping and then I dropped the kids off at the library with Snow to do crafts while I made dinner for everyone. It was my first time making prime rib and it turned out pretty well.

Straight out of the oven

Prime rib, ratatouille, and garlic potatoes

Wednesday, we went to the outlet and shopped until they kicked us out. We didn't get home until 10:30 and were exhausted, but I got some really good deals.

The kids entertaining themselves at the Coach outlet store.

Thursday, I did three loads of laundry in the morning and then walked with the kids to Color Me Mine to do some ceramic painting. Sophie picked a Snow White piece and Lydia picked a unicorn. They were doing so well until Sophie dropped her princess and beheaded her, but at least now we know that she's still a bit too young for this activity.

Such concentration

Lydia likes colorful things

Friday, we had couple playdates. After lunch, Lydia preschool friend Ava came over and soon after, Snow brought her three kids. Snow and Ken went on a date night, so I watched the kids by myself for a couple hours until Trung got home. The kids were all pretty good, but it's definitely an experience.

Goofing around with Ava


Life with five kids

Iron Chefs

When we got home on Monday, the girls had their biggest Christmas present awaiting them...a play kitchen from Mommy and Daddy. Since I had to get my crown put in at the dentist, Trung just asked the girls to stay upstairs as he put the kitchen together. He got through most of it by the time they got restless and came downstairs. They were super excited and even helped put the rest of it together.

Assembly

As a friend put it...Iron Chef meets America's Next Top Model

A Sunny Christmas

We left early Saturday morning for Orange County, first dropping by The Beachcomber Cafe to see if we could get in with a decent wait. Alas, it was not to be as the wait was 1.5 hours. So instead we had brunch at a nearby bagel shop. We arrived at Mike's place by noon and munched on Vietnamese food and played board games the entire afternoon.

We spent Christmas Day watching basketball games and finally at 5, we headed to my Aunt Monica's house for a potluck dinner. We had a feast and later, six kids went wild opening presents. Fun stuff!

Christmas on the beach

Jenga time!

This is how the girls were all Christmas day watching My Little Ponies while the adults watched basketball.

A pile of presents before...

and after.

The whole gang

Merry Christmas!

Christmas sing-along with my talented SIL Minji at the piano

Resting after a busy evening

LTP Christmas Party

Sophie's Learning Through Play class had a Christmas party today and since Lydia is now out of school for the rest of the year, she came along. After snacking on PB & J quesadillas, chicken nuggets, and veggies, the kids played musical chairs and parachute. Sophie has had a wonderful time in this class and will continue attending twice a week until the summer.

Kids playing musical chairs...this could get nasty.

How Sophie got out

How did I know that Lydia was going to win? She's a competitor like her mommy and she was the oldest one there!


Under the parachute

Hitching a free ride

Sophie and Teacher Anna