6th annual chinese new year dinner

Last night, we had another fun Chinese New Year dinner - Our 6th year running.  We tried a new place for dinner - Hong Kong Clay Pot in Chinatown.  We had crab, lobster, fish, claypot, free range chicken, salted fish fried rice, honey walnut prawns, beef chew fun, garlic snow pea leaves, etc.., and many bottles of TsingTao.  All for $20 a person.

It was another diverse group - I met Joseph and Terry for the first time and everyone else gotta to make new friends as well.  I keep forgetting who knows who.  Baby Sloane had a blast as well.  She was the main attraction actually with those big eyes and adorable smile.  Marilyn topped out our meal by bringing girl scout cookies.  It was definitely not a night for a diet.  Happy Year of the Rabbit!

-Lei

My dear Isabel - Happy New Year

Meimei,

This is your second new year.  Mommy is so proud of what a good little girl you have become.  You learned to play with your cousin Gabby, giving her hugs and sharing your toys.  You are learning new words, some faster than others, like "cookie." You got through surgery so bravely and healing so well.

Your every expression and smile warms my heart and I can't believe I am so lucky to be your mom.  Every parent think their child is the cutest.  Sometimes I just can't believe how cute and adorable you are.

I can't wait to guide you through all the amazing things life have to offer.  I am also learning to enjoy every moment the way you do, without worry about the past or the future.  It's now a new decade.  This decade will bring many changes for you.  You will be 11 years old by the end of this decade.  Wow.  I can't even imagine it and I also don't want to get ahead of myself.  I want to enjoy the present and your every new next development.

I can't wait to share 2010 with you.  Many hugs and kisses and love,

- Mom
p.s. I still can't believe I am a mom.  when I sign my name Mom, I actually think of my mom instead, but now I am a mom and it's a wonderful journey

Happy Holidays

Dear friends and family,

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.  2009 is rushing by fast.   Isabel is such a big girl now and learning new words every day.  Her latest ones are "Ligh" which means light but she doesn't say the T.  She will just point at the tree and say Ligh to mean can you light up the tree?  Another word is "wooo" when ever she is impressed or wowed by something.  Not sure where she learned that from.

We are excited to have Jaime's sister, Em visit with her hubby Roy and little girl, Gabby.  Gabby is 10 months old and will be meeting her cousin Isabel for the first time tomorrow.

Happy holidays!  May you enjoy every moment of this holidays with your family, friends, and loved ones.  Best wishes in 2010.

many hugs and kisses,

- Lei, Jaime, Isabel & Agnes

New Years (No) Resolutions

As you can see from this picture and the slideshow on our blog, we had a fun New Years Eve. Since Isabel was asleep by 8, we went out to a house party hosted by our friend Pang and his brothers.

They do this party every year and charge a small fee $20 for a great time (all free liquor, DJ, RockBand, Karoke, etc.). This year it was hosted at the apt building Pang bought. He plans to remodel it so he didn't mind if it got a bit trashed by party people.

Over 300 people were there and the top floor where the main dance floor was overlooked the golden gate bridge. It was quite nice. We tried Rock Band and was able to finish a song although limped through it. The girls also sang at KTV for awhile while Jaime made fun of us. We all had plenty of Jello shots and champagne to celebrate.

I decided this year to not do New Year Resolutions because I guess I do them every year and I thought instead of waiting for new years to do something different, I can choose to be different every day and just start from there. It's my way to be more spontaneous and fluid with life instead of trying to plan every minute out. So far it feels pretty good. ;-)

Happy New Year. Best wishes in 2009!

- Lei