Happy New Year!

Mia brought in the new year quietly at home with her mom and dad. Spencer brought her some poppers, streamers and sparkly cider. She got to watch a movie with him, tossed the streamers, and then went to bed at 10pm.

She did not like the loud sound of the poppers.


But she did love the confetti.

So much so that she decided to "save" them to share with her friends.


She loved the streamers too.


So much so that she decorated her chairs with them.


Ringing in the new year with my girl...what more can I ask for?

Kale, spinach, chard & flaxseed smoothie anyone?

Our kids love 'em! Yes, I do put oranges, apples, pears, bananas, manago, strawberries and blueberries in it too, but they know it's in there and they don't care cuz it's delicious! Besides not always rushing in 2009, I want to be healthier in all respects, exercising, eating well & right, and being green (it does ultimately affect our health). Big goals but I have to lead by example or Mia will be a big ole mess!


Here's Jalen enjoying a smoothie. Karmi wouldn't try it and Jalen didn't get it, "Karm, it's just spinach and spinach is good!" We count our blessings that our kids love green veggies.

* Not sure how I could have taken this picture with better lighting. I tried both flash and no flash and this was the better of te two, but it looks off to me. Google search, here I come...

I wish I was a bit further back because Baby had the perfect fight stance. Not sure why he was attacking me, but he's so cute I didn't care.

Mia dressed up to crawl around on the floor like a horse. The games kids play...

Nice December Day and Karmi!

After living in Danville for over six months, we finally walked to lil' yi-yi's house for the first time (my first, Mia's 3rd or so). It is so beautiful today, how could you not walk...that and it's literally 3 blocks away. Walking over there made me realize how lazy I am that we don't even walk over there all the time and also, that the main reason we don't walk over there is not just laziness, but also time! I am always rushing, how can we spare the time to walk over?!? Sothe theme for 2009 is no rushing. Let's see how it works.

Why did we walk over to the Fu's? Besides non-stop fun that Mia has with her cousins, here's the reason...

I am having fun with a borrowed camera. I don't get photography and lighting and all that stuff, but I'm playing around with it which means lots of posts and pix! Here are some from the walk home.

I love this tree and the color of the leaves. I made the kids walk back for pix since they were way ahead of me when I spotted it.

Every kid who meets Karmi falls in love with her. She is not only gorgeous on the outside, but sweet as can be with a big heart and lots of love for kids.

Mia misses her Uncle Daniel

Mia was bummed to hear that Uncle Daniel went back to Vancouver...a very far away place. Here is Mia's plea to UD to come back.

Sunday Soup by Gung Gung

Another fun family gathering at gung gung and pao pao's house. GG had a great idea to make his famous clam chowder and five onion soup, so we devoured that after some appetizers, and then with the soup we had salad and baked potatoe...YUM!

Gung gung working hard.

The girls' new "hats".

Baby rocking out with a floral guitar pillow.

I found Mia scruched up in this spot, not sure what she was doing, but it was funny!

Jalen and Wai Wai obliged me with this photo only because I promised they could do a fighting pose after.

Then, of course, the girls wanted to do the same.

Check out our tough kids!

Baby has always loved Uncle Chuckie, but after a few rounds of this, Baby was definitely not letting him outta his sight...too much fun!

Wai Wai telling Jalen a secret...and they wouldn't tell me!

Mia's GG, PP and great aunts and uncles.

Uncle Ed, Aunt Helen, PP, GG, Uncle Chuckie, Aunt Jih-Ling

All the pictures from the evening...

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Lunch at the Cho's

We always know what to expect at the Cho's...good company, good food and lots of happy children! We love our get togethers there and this time there were three new additions to all the fun.

Matthew, Ella and Sasha

Here are all the kids (minus the lil' babies).

Zachie, Ethan, Lulu, Andrew, Maesen, Mia, Matthew and Amanda

Mia in front of the gorgeous tree.

Ethan enjoying his new bowling set and doing the excited "strike" jump!

The girls with their girls.

Janet, Angie, Ellen, Dora, me and Janna.

Mia with her buddies Ethan and Lulu.

Lots of cute pix, so I put them in a slideshow.

Uncle Daniel...Mia's new best friend!

What a treat today, Auntie FF was feeling pretty good, so she came to lounge at our place and she brought Uncle Daylan (as you all know is one of Mia's favorites) and Uncle Daniel (FF's lil' bro) who became a fast favorite. Here they are with photos from Mia's new camera.

Uncle Daniel and Mia played with her dollhouse. They let me interupt them for this cute shot.

Next up is the Calico Critters, isn't Daniel a trooper?

Time to get some fresh air and who is there to give Mia an extra push on the bike...Uncle Daniel of course!

At the playground sitting on top of the monkey bars with the Nipp siblings.

I love this picture of Mia and Uncle Daniel looking at each other.

The sillies with orange smiles.

While Mia loves her Uncle D's, the top dog is Auntie FF.

Uncle D's creating non-stop fun for Mia...check out that huge grin!

A really happy day for Mia to have the three of them with her. It was definitely a day of smiles.

Present Time

The craziness started after dinner and bath time when it was time for gifts. It was late for them, so they were already wound up...add dessert and gifts and it was pure craziness. Jalen pretty much sums it up.



And of course, pictures of our cute kids.





Gung Gung opening his gifts.


Pao Pao and Gung Gung posing with PP's new purse.

PP & GG with all six of the crazies.


While having six kids around all the time is tiring, I am so thankful for each one of them. They add so much to our lives and the holidays. I am also thankful that we have my parents around...they are just plain great and my goodness, what would we do without PP & GG's love for them? Things just wouldn't be the same.