Hawaii Vacation: Day 1. The Waiting Game.

From LAX before Hawaii

From LAX before Hawaii

From LAX before Hawaii

Our trip to Hawaii started off with an early morning wake up call and driving to LAX at 6:00 AM for our flight at 11:20 AM. We got they around 9:00 AM with plenty of time to spare. Then at 11:00AM when boarding was suppose to begin, we get a notice that the plane is still in service and would be delayed 1 hour. 1 hour became 2 hours and eventually because of a fuel leak in the right engine, we had to wait for a replacement plane to come in. We did not board until 4:00 PM that day. At least the flight didn't get canceled and it was a good thing that they discovered the leak on the ground and not in the air. Either ways we were at LAX for over 7 hours. The kids ended up taking a nap during the time that we should have been in the air. So when we finally boarded and flew to Hawaii, guess what? The kids were fully awake and energized throughout the plane ride to Hawaii. We were thinking, man do we need a drink after this. All I know is that we would never fly with United because of their customer service or lack thereof. So enjoy the pics of the kids trying to kill time at the airport. We got to Hawaii at about 8 PM Hawaii time, but man were we tired. A full day lost at the airport. I have to break up the Hawaii pictures because I frankly took too many shots.

A day at Lake Miramar

From Lake Miramar

From Lake Miramar

From Lake Miramar

Two days before we left for Hawaii, the family had a little get together at Miramar Lake for some BBQ and R&R. Everyone had fun, and a few even tried to go around the lake's 5 mile path. Food, fishing, skateboard, electric scooters, and throwing rocks in the lake. Simple stuff that kids get entertained by.

Ashley's Swim Class

Ashley has been taking swimming lessons for two months now. I recently got around to bringing my camera to take some shots of her swimming. She has progressed well and has learned to hold her breath and swim under water from one end to the other. She is starting to learn how to dive into the water. We also started Alyssa in the same swim class, but after 18 lessons she is still screaming. We figure when Alyssa is older she will be more receptive to swimming. She doesn't have a problem with water, but rather gaining the trust of the instructor. Alyssa however has been dunked underwater several times and held her breath pretty well. Hopefully she sees how much fun Ashley is having and will turn around.

From Swim Class

From Swim Class

From Swim Class

Ashley's Face Paint at Disneyland

OK, Ashley asked me why I did not post her face paint pictures from Disneyland. I told her I did in the earlier post for Huntington beach. But she insisted that I post it separately so that her friends can see. I was thinking what "friends", I guess she meant her cousins. She even got glitter on her face. Silly girl!!!

From Huntington Beach Weekend

From Huntington Beach Weekend

From Huntington Beach Weekend

From Huntington Beach Weekend

From Huntington Beach Weekend

Huntington Beach Weekend & Disneyland

So the week before we went to Hawaii, we spent the weekend in Huntington Beach and also made a quick trip to Disneyland. The kids enjoyed the beautiful beach and pier in Huntington. They also had a blast at Disneyland. The weather was overcast so it was perfect for walking around and not having to worry about getting sun burn. Enjoy the pictures of our latest adventure. I was experimenting with black and white shots and sepia tones for different effects.

From Huntington Beach Weekend

From Huntington Beach Weekend

From Huntington Beach Weekend

Northern Cali Trip

Back in May, we took a trip up north to visit family and check out some new babies (Ashley and Alyssa's new cousins). We stoppped by Sacramento and San Francisco. Check out the pictures of Preston and Kate. The kids had a lot of fun and we had time to visit Ashley and Alyssa's aunt in San Francisco. We ran into a group a parrots that were everywhere around the park and on top of traffic lights. Pretty cool stuff.

From North Cali Trip

From North Cali Trip

From North Cali Trip

From North Cali Trip

Sherrie's Graduation

Here are some pic's of Sherrie and the kids the day she finally got her AA in Accounting and a certificate in Business Management. She will be transfering to SDSU later to get her BS. We are very proud of her accomplishment because she did it working full time and is also a mother of two beautiful girls.

From Sherrie's Graduation

From Sherrie's Graduation

From Sherrie's Graduation

Ashley's Strawberry Project.

One day Ashley ask me if she can grow a plant. She wanted to grow a strawberry plant. So we went to the local Home Depot to pick up a kit and this is when the journey begins. We started this on March 29 and now five weeks later a good sprout. The first thing Ashley asked me when she started to see the plant grow, was "where are the strawberries." I told her that with patience she will see strawberries soon enough. Here are some pictures of our first 5 weeks of the project. I will update with more pictures as the plant grows bigger.

From Strawberry Project

The project begins: Day 1 - March 29, 2009

From Strawberry Project

3 Weeks Later, the first sprout.

From Strawberry Project

After 4 weeks

From Strawberry Project

Another plant started to sprout on the other side.

From Strawberry Project

Mamma Mia! It's pizza time and a little dessert.

The whole family recently started to try to bake our own pizzas from scratch. Here are some pictures of what we did. We also bake quite often and Ashley is often a great helper in the cupcakes, cheese cake, and brownie categories.

From Baking

From Baking

From Baking

From Baking

From Baking

From Baking

Mother's Day

To all the moms, past, current, new, and future, this is your day. Happy Mother's Day. The strength, influence, and love you express each day are the reasons why we are who we are today.

From Mother's Day

From Mother's Day

From Mother's Day

From Mother's Day

Logan's 1st Birthday

This past Sunday we attend Logan's 1st Birthday. Here are some pictures from the party. The kids had a lot of fun. Especially near the pool. It was a hot day!

From Logan's B-Day Party

From Logan's B-Day Party

From Logan's B-Day Party

From Logan's B-Day Party

Easter Egg Hunt

I have been so busy lately that I have fallen behind on my postings. Before the wifey gets mad, here are some pictures of us at an Easter Egg Hunt in Carlsbad/Oceanside. Supposedly this was the biggest Easter Egg Hunt in San Diego.

From Easter Egg Hunt

From Easter Egg Hunt

From Easter Egg Hunt

From Easter Egg Hunt

Phu House Warming Party

Saturday was a fun filled day with us attending Hung, Richard, and Thanh's house warming party. The kids enjoyed the day on the inflatable jumper and Alyssa ate a lot of food.

From Phu House Warming Party 09

From Phu House Warming Party 09

From Phu House Warming Party 09