Kids rock out to...Knight Ranger?!?!?

Does anyone remember that band? Well, they were the headliner for the the Rib Cook-Off. We missed the song "Sister Christan" (the only we knew), but the kids rocked out and loved it. I got them to take a break for this cute photo...

...but it was chaos right after, oh well, kids...

Last trip to the Rib Cook-Off

With my dad's upcoming retirement (we'll believe it when it happens!), this is likely our last trip to the VIP tent at the Nugget's Rib Cook-Off. While I don't think any of us eats enough ribs or drinks enough alcohol to pay for our entry ticket, it is always a fun event.

Jalen & Pao Pao

Mia had two ribs.

Baby gets in on the action.

Dessert time for Mia & Dan Dan

A kiss for Mia's buddy, Wai Wai

Mia with the big cheeser, Mun Mun (Kailey).

Song for Auntie FF & Uncle Daylan

The kids are excited for Auntie Fer Fer & Uncle Daylan to visit. Here's a song for them:

Feeding the ducks

While Baby napped, I got to get in a few hours of work and Lil' Yi Yi (Vicki) took the kids to feed the ducks at the Blackhawk Plaza...I know, can you beleive they have ducks there?



Mia & Jalen definitely tie for the biggest posers!

Puzzle-mania

The kids are totally into puzzles. It's a great hobby to get into (quiet time for the mom's!). We went from 24 pieces to 100 and now the kids are working on 300 piece puzzles. One guess who will likely finish first...the one with the most patience (that would not be Mia or Jalen, but hey, we all have our own strengths).

"Stinky" Kindergarten

I can't believe that the boys started kindergarten today!!!!! So exciting but sad at the same time...how can our boys be old enough to be going to school. Here are their silly thoughts about their first day.

We must be crazy...

My sisters and I never give going out to eat with SIX children a second thought. Maybe we should, but look how well behaved they are for the camera! But trust me, they are not this well behaved at the restaurant...okay, they're not that bad, but there's six of them!

Oh, our lil' Kailey...while most kids get upset cuz another kid got more candy or ice cream, Kailey demands to know "Hey!!!!! Why Dan Dan get more pasta than me?!?!!?!" And the girl is all business when she asks that!

These two get ridiculously goofy if they go too long without seeing each other.

I say it all the time, but aren't they lucky to have each other?

Jalen's first day of kindergarten!

Wow!

Gilroy Garden Fun!

It's been over a year since we've been to Gilroy Garden (http://adventures-of-mia.blogspot.com/2007/05/gilroy-gardens-for-memorial-day-weekend.html), but it was just as much fun as the first time and just as HOT! We met the Cho's there and it was a girls day because Mia and Elizabeth stuck together for most of the day.

Ellen got some really cute shots, hopefully she'll send them to me so I can add to this post (hint, hint!).

Our girls...

Mia really loves living in Danville and is happy to be with Dan Dan, Jalen and Baby all the time, but I know she really misses Wai Wai and Kailey. Today was a treat, Mun Mun got dropped off in the morning, so the girls got to be together all day through dinner. Group hug as soon as Mun Mun walks in.

I love that each of us had one girl, they are really like sisters!

Interesting development in the cousin relationships...Mun Mun and Baby fight all the time!!! I will have to try to get it on video, but boy, they can both go at it!

Ballet Recital

I think the video's speak for themselves.







Mia looks so cute and she enjoyed it, but when I told her she couldn't do both ballet and tae kwan doe, she picked tae kwan doe. I think that's a good choice for the energetic one. Dan Dan on the other hand, will stay in ballet...she's a natural!

Only when Pao Pao is around...

...do the girls get their hair in matching pony tails. So great to have pao pao around all the time. The kids love it and the mom's LOVE it!

The kids all love pao pao, but it's pretty unaminous when you ask them who loves pao pao the most. Warning: Do NOT go near my mom when Baby is around!

My new friend Mason!

Mia had her friend Mason over tonight. They got along well, although every time Jules asked Mason to give Mia a hug or a kiss, he would walk away and say "no!". Either he is shy, playing hard to get, or defying his momma! At this age, it could easily be all three.

Isn't it interesting how Mason has Jules features, but looks like Mark?!?!? Great catching up with you guys...come over again soon!

Summer Fun with the Koong's

We helped Amanada, Lauren and Alex celebrate their birthday with a summer party in the park.

There was a jumpy house, water balloon toss, and face painting. We arrived late, but Ashley (4 1/2 years old) generously volunteered to paint Mia's face. It was sweet and not too bad of a job (although the first one wiped off by Ashley's mom!).

Lindsey Wildlife Museum

Mia's new favorite place is the Lindsey Museum (http://www.wildlife-museum.org/). It's a great little place that houses animals that cannot be released back into the wild and they have an on-site hospital. I think Mia's favorite was the little red fox who looks like a baby, but is actually 12 years old! And my favorite is the beautiful Great Gray Owl...you have to check him out, just gorgeous. Sorry, no photo, there wasn't good lighting where he was perched.


Here's Mia in her nest with her mamma the bald eagle.


Comparing her wingspan to other birds.

Right outside the museum is a great park and like most kids, Mia has to check out every park. Her new thing is getting off the play structures in a "perfect gymnast" landing. Can you tell we've been watching the Olympics?

Still having fun with tennis...

After a brief blow-out about tennis (Mia insisted tennis was NO fun because the teacher did not let her do anything by herself...oh hullo, you can't hit the ball yet!), the girls are doing really well with tennis and they enjoy it. They can make good contact with the ball, so that's a good first step!

Go Alyssa and Go Bears!

After Frog & Toad, we dashed off to Alyssa's high school graduation party. Nothing like a baby cousin graduating from high school to make you feel old. C'est la vie! Speaking of old, the Nip's actually recorded the Olympics opening ceremonies on their VCR! Do people still really do that?!?!?

Alyssa with Kailey in her favorite spot when someone is cutting a cake!

Uncle Chuckie with the smiley Baby.

Lucky me, I get to finish a cupcake with all the frosting licked off...yum.

Pure silliness with the E.Cho's

What an exciting day...Mia gets to see her friend, Kailey C. (age 7), in a production of Frog & Toad. Joining us are Ethan and Elizabeth. We have lunch at our place first and the kids are cooporative for the first photo.

But, of course, pure silliness for the next.

This could, quite possibley, be the slowest rendition of the ABC's ever. Wait to the to see Ethan "review" of the singing.

Water is calming...

Thank goodness for small (and big) distractions. The kids enjoyed this water fountain while we finished lunch outdoors in Walnut Creek.

Check out that poser Jalen!

Favorite new activity

The girls love hanging around like monkeys (good think it was chilly and they were wearing leggings...no "I see Paris...") and of course, Baby likes to be part of all the action.

I think this is cool, but you know I'm not getting on it!

Graduating from golf camp

Jalen "graduated" from Golf Camp 1...now off to #2.

Check out that yellow golf bag...his favorite color, but everyone knows that.

New park...

The kids found a new stomping ground. I wasn't able to go, I had to work (imagine that!), but Lil' Yi Yi (Vicki) said it was state of the art and total fun!

I think this is some kind of swinging chair.

Two spidey's in action.

Baby in a bubble...

Who needs a double stroller?!?!?

Going economy...

More flower girl dresses

Mia went with her partner in crime, Dan Dan, to try on more flower girl dresses. I honestly don't think we can go wrong with any of them, they just look so darn cute! The decision is up to Auntie Fer Fer...think she'll pick one of the ones below? Or these http://adventures-of-mia.blogspot.com/2008/07/flower-girl-fashion-show.html?

I can't wait to see the girls next to each other in the same dress! But let's hope both girls can make it down the aisle without a hitch...

Fun and Yummies at the Cho's

We visited the Cho's today. The kids, as usual, were thrilled to see each other. Did I already share that Ethan and Lulu call Mia "Mia Pia"? It is so cute when they call her that. And yes, I was put in my place when I called her that, I think it's only the ECho's who are allowed to say it!

And I must comment and the delicious lunch that E&M made...grilled salmon, scallops wrapped in bacon, broccoli salad, roasted sweet potatoes...yum! We will be over every Sunday for lunch! And I cannot leave out the wonderful peach pie that Janet made from scratch! I will dream about the good food tonight.

Happy Birthday, Maya!

Mia went to her friend and classmate Maya's 4th birthday party. It was a camp theme with a tent, camp counselors and cool activities. They went "fishing" (scooped out 2 goldfish each to take home) and went bug collecting (decorated their own jars and search for plastic bugs in the trees and bushes).

Dan Dan, Maya, Mia

They saw a lot of schoolmates at the party. Here's Mia and Jordan with Kinsey, who came up with the idea of silly faces for the pictures.

Baby with the co-President's of his fan club.

I've never seen a pinata at a campsite before, but boy were these campers happy! Go Maya!

I think I have a "slugger" on my hands!

Maya enjoying her birthday cupcake.

Mia reluctantly left the party, but she got this cool Hannah Montana "backpack" lounge chair to remind her of the great time she had.