Watch us grow!
We are in Southern California for the week! One of our first gatherings was at Uncle Dayantha’s house. Trevor (Auntie Yoon’s son), Oliver (Uncle Dayantha’s son), as well as Andrew and Sienna (Holly’s kids) came over for some fun!
Andrew brought over his chocolate fountain and the kids LOVED it.
By the end, chocolate was everywhere. Leela was thoroughly enjoying one of her favorite things in the world – CHOCOLATE!
We had dinner with Mama and Dada’s high school friends today and the kids got reacquainted with Andrew and Sienna.
Mama’s old friend Auntie Holly was in town with her family this weekend and came over with Andrew and Sienna this afternoon. Janie was so excited to see her friend Andrew. Mama made dinner and the kids had a fun time making their own tacos. It was a big mess in the end but they had a blast together.
Later in the evening, the kids enjoyed their first thunderstorm with lighting and sudden downpours. They also played together until bedtime.
It’s so nice to see the next generation playing together without needing any time to warm up to each other. We don’t get these visitors from Southern California very often!!
The day started with just lunch at the new Islands in the Cerritos Towne Center. Mama and Dada got to catch up with their old friends from highschool (Holly and Dayantha) while the kids sat next to each other and colored.
Then we walked around the plaza and got some soft serve nearby. This is when the smiles and the conversations started.
It was getting hot outside so we all met up at Yai and Ta’s house. The grown-ups hung out while the kids played together.
At one point, we had almost all the kids in the sandbox together. Janie and Andrew made tortillas while Peanut and Sienna “helped”.
Oliver preferred to stay out of the sand and play nearby.
In the evening, three of the kids got in the back of Auntie Holly’s car to drop off Sienna and then we went to Daiso.
Andrew and Janie ended up with a water toy to bring home.
These two ended up having a great time together today. Last time they got to spend this much time together was in Hawaii 3 years ago. Too bad we don’t live closer.
Auntie Holly came over today and brought Andrew. They had a little trouble sharing Play-doh tools but then were pals again once they got into the sandbox.
Janie and Andrew got to play together again since their last trip Hawaii. It’s hard to believe that it had been 18 months since they last saw each other. They did a lot of parallel play and had a bit of trouble sharing the playdoh tools.
However, once they were in the sandbox together, they were pals again.
For dinner, we went to an Italian restaurant with Andrew and Auntie Holly.
They shared a kids spaghetti and meatballs dish and it was like a scene out of Lady and the Tramp. I loved watching their different styles of eating noodles. Andrew went straight for a big forkful of noodles and Janie slurped them one at a time.
Luckily dinner arrived before Janie got too sleepy and she fell asleep in the stroller in no time.
This morning it was pouring but then it suddenly stopped and it was sunny again by 10am. Mommy and Janie made it down the street to the Waikiki Beach Wall. It was the perfect meeting spot for these tykes because the wall calms the waves before it hits the shore.
Janie was excited to play in the sand again and we rented an umbrella (Thanks Uncle Roy!) to shade us from the sun.
Scooping and throwing wet sand was a fun game she played for a bit.
She was so happy just scooping and dumping the sand into the bucket as well.
Making sand soup is so much fun when you’re not scared of Mr. Ocean!
Here are the kids enjoying the view with a bag of chips. Life looks pretty good right now.
Daddy showed up a little later and we all went into the water. It was Janie’s first time in the ocean and she did great!
At first she just wanted to cling to Daddy but then she was brave enough to sit in the floatie and play.
Hooray to a successful day at the beach and in the ocean!!
In the afternoon, we walked to the Hale Koa Hotel and hopped on a shuttle bus that took us to the ceremony. Janie fell asleep on the walk over and continued to sleep on Daddy’s lap. All that fun this morning must have wiped her out.
Once we arrived at the Country Club, she woke up refreshed and ready to play.
She even posed for a few photos.
The ceremony was very short and she watched it from Daddy’s shoulders.
Afterward, they served punch and she got to have some. Keenan looks like he was waiting for his turn to sip.
Buddy Keenan was there and after sharing a hug, they jumped and ran around until the bus returned to take us back to the wedding hotel.
Take a look at her jumping!
These two had such a fun time together.
Back on the bus, she was wide awake to take in all the sights.
She had fun sitting next to Daddy and was surprised to find Mommy behind her.
There was so much to see!!
Back at the hotel, she got to say “hello” to Auntie Yoon.
That bouquet is heavy!
We all had a snack by the beach and Janie got some of Auntie Krissy’s fries.
Andrew tried to share his oatmeal.
He didn’t look too happy with the little spy standing behind him.
For the reception/dinner, Auntie Yoon made arrangements for a nanny to watch Janie, Keenan, and Andrew. She slept the whole time and even when we brought her downstairs at 9:00. She woke up when the reception was all over so she was able to change into her pjs. This photo (above) is Janie hitching a ride back to the hotel with Daddy.
Auntie Yoon threw a big BBQ today. Janie slept on our walk to Ala Moana Beach Park and woke up in time to play with everyone.
We also had a breakthrough today at Magic Island Beach. Janie actually played in the water and sand and enjoyed it!
This girl was just loving the water and sand.
This makes Mommy so happy.
Lunch included lots of noodles and Portuguese sausage.
She also played with Keenan and Andrew.
Later that evening, Janie slept through the Post-BBQ/Pre-Wedding Celebration at Uncle Bo’s but woke up for a little karaoke. When she couldn’t take the noise anymore, she looked at me and said “all done”. We were home by 11:30.