Monterey Bay Aquarium

Back in February, we took a weekend trip down to Monterey for some aquarium fun.  We try to go at least 1-2 times a year, the last time we were there was back in Sept 09.  It's always a good weekend getaway, especially when we've been there before, so we don't feel compelled to cover the entire aquarium in one day.  The next time we go, we'll probably try just a day trip to see if it works out.

We did not take too many pictures inside the aquarium because the lighting is so tricky, but I did manage to get a cute picture of the girls inside a "penguin egg".

We had lunch at the Red House Cafe, recommended by my cousin.  It is literally a red house - cozy and yummy.  Dining with two kids is always an adventure.

We visited the Monarch Grove Santuary, but it was too late in the year to see the butterflies...I guess we'll try to catch them next time in the grove.

We went on the beautiful 17- mile drive.  It was my first time and all I have to say is that I wish I would win the lotto, and I love me some California coastline!

We stopped and took some pictures at the "Lone Cypress" - a long time symbol of the Pebble Beach Golf Course.

While enjoying the scenery, two curious squirrels came out to play.  These two ladies fed them some Cheez-it crackers, it was pretty cute.  Baby C even got to feed them a couple, although I am not sure we were being responsible parents by allowing it since they technically are wild, right?  Oh wells, they were very cute. =)

We stopped for lunch at the Pebble Beach Resort.  Daddy J visit the pro-shop, and we walked around a bit on the grounds.  What a pretty place.

And finally, a Monterey trip would not be complete without a stop @ the Dennis the Menace Park!  Both girls got to enjoy the park this time.  Fun times!

Stinson Beach

We took the opportunity on a rare eventless Sunday and drove to Stinson Beach.  It's been many many years since I've visited.  I got a bit nosh on the windy drive there (first time for everything I guess) and it was a bit chilly, but the sun was shining bright and we had a great time.  Here are some pictures to share. =)
 

Max enjoying some time outdoors.  He was kinda timid with other dogs at first, but warmed up quickly.  He didn't like the water much, but ran up to the waves and back.

Baby B enjoyed her first time @ the beach.

Baby C loves the sand.

Baby B loved the sand too.  We only had one bucket, so I had to get creative.

Perfect weather for flying some kites.

Daddy J and Max, my two handsome dudes.

A girl and her best friend on the beach. =)

Bijou - Clubbin' in the Burbs?

After some sleep drama with the B Monster last Friday night (it never fails when I wanna go out), I met up with my buddy EW for a foot reflexology session ($25 for 70 minutes andopen til 10pm FTW!!) and then drinks @ Bijou in Hayward.  I heard rumors that Bijou converts into a club after hours, but I was not sure if they did that on Friday nights, so we just went there with the intention of grabbing some drinks and hanging out.

When we arrived @ 1030pm, it was pretty hopping. It was a pretty diverse crowd in terms of age, ethnicity and music.  We met an old college friend ML there too.  It's been a long time since we saw each other.  Needless to say we did not get much conversation in @ Bijou, but dang we had a good time!  We partied like...well...like we DIDN'T in college.  LOL.

And yes, those are kamikaze shots...thought it was appropriate since the last time I had one was IN college!

My friend EW jokingly said that partying in the burbs was not so bad!  Plus the foot reflexology session/dancing combo was perfect! I hope we'll be doing it again soon! ;)

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

My Night Out

It's been SOOO long since I've gone out for fun times without the kids.  I had a chance to "party" a bit last Friday.  My friend Gail was having a fashion show and after-party at the Supperclub in SF.  The show started at 11:30pm, so it was perfect.  I put Baby B down and headed out to the city (leaving Daddy J and the kiddies at home).  I met up with my friend EW and her friend KRN and started the evening properly (Grey Goose shots with cranberry chasers)...and continued that "theme" all night!

Excuse the quality of the photos, I only had my cellie on me. =)

My friend EW and me on the dance floor.  I don't think we've partied since my bachlorette party!  Oh my!

Me and EW along with her buddy KRN, who is  few years younger, I felt a bit "cougar-ish" that night, but it was all good.

My friend, KC was there too, she was one of the photographers for the shindig.

The fashion show was fab.  Great design and fabrics.  I am so proud of  Gail!  Here is her website and a few shots from the show:

 

  

 

After the fashion show, we tried to dance a bit, but house music was really not our thang, so we ended up leave the Supperclub and walked down the street to Manor West, which played hip hop....oh so much better!  We stayed and danced there for a while and left because we had to move our cars at 2am (annoying!).  We then headed to Japantown for some Korean food (sounds weird, huh?)...and I got home at about 4am.  Whew!  What a night!  It felt refreshing to get out and "cut loose" a bit..even if for a few hours, and forget the mommy responsibilities that have defined me for the past 3.5+ years.  BUT, it also felt good to get home to the fam.  =)

SoCal Eats!

What's a vacation without indulgent food? ...plus it just wouldn't be my blog without some food porn, right?

Even though it was hectic traveling with 2 kids, we still managed to grab some good eats here and there. Here is a sample of good eats we encountered during our SoCal week...at least the ones I remembered to take pics of. =)

Yes...I heart food... Enjoy!

Started off @ Guppy @ Hacienda Heights.  My sis ordered some sort of spicy soup noodle dish.  I forget because dinner was a bit hectic with Baby B on the move. As you can see she is holding her iphone...a device, I discovered through the week, that is permanently attached to her hand!  LOL!

This was my meal, a dumpling noodle soup...note to self: hot soup not great with restless kids..dangerous, and I can't eat it fast!

I ordered Pineapple Fried Rice for the girls...obviously way too big, and they ate like 3 kernels of rice each.  We took it back to the hotel and munched on it all week, so it all worked out.

Here is what Guppy is known for...Shaved Ice!  We order the "to-go" size of their red bean variety, which feeds like 3-4 people (we did not finish it).  It was the smallest size they had. The regular size feeds like 6-8 and basically fills up the whole bowl!

A SoCal original - Sprinkles Cupcakes - Coconut, Red Velvet, and Chocolate.  Perfect bedtime snack...cuz dats how we roll!

My Sis with a San Francisco classic - Sourdough bowl with clam chowder from the "wharf" @ California Adventures. (cheesey I know)

Some yummy treats from California Adventures.  I could not bear paying $9 for an apple, so I just took a picture. =)  Cute as heck tho.

At my sister's request...we had to stop at See's because apparently there are no more See's in Anchorage! =O

This is not from SoCal, but my friend DC bought some for me on her recent trip to Hawaii.  They were delish and she is the bestest!

I wish I captured more food on film, but most of the time, it was too hectic with the littles, and/or the food was just very basic, so not "food porn" worthy. LOL!

Whirlwind SoCal Trip

A few months ago, we booked a week at Marriott's Newport Coast Villas the week before Christmas.  We thought it would be a perfect time to visit Disneyland during their holiday set,  not too crowded, not too hot. Unfortunately, Daddy J's work schedule changed and could not go on the trip.  We were ready to eat the cost because we were not having any luck renting the unit out.

The week before the trip, I had this "brilliant" idea that I would just go with the girls alone and arranged to meet my sister, KL there for some extra hands...plus hang out with her since we never get to hang (she lives in a different state).  She was flying into Vegas the same day with my mom to help get their new "winter home" settled in...it was "perfect" timing.  KL took a Chinesey "gambling" bus from Vegas to Hacienda Heights and I drove 45 min from Newport to pick her up.

I was super nervous about the drive down...it was 400+ miles (see above GPS pic) - the longest I've ever driven, plus I was gonna be alone with a 1 and 3 year old!  Everyone I talked to (including the girls' pediatrician) suggested that I leave in the wee hours so that the kids get at least a couple hours of sleep, and that's what I did (about 4am)..and overall, it worked out great!  It's not for the faint of heart, and I would not recommend driving alone with 2 kids, but I survived with my sanity (somewhat) intact to tell you this tale!

Here is one of my "stay awake driving aids":

I actually bought a "Rockstar" shot thingy too, but the warning labels just freaked me out too much (it had twice the caffeine as the the Red Bull shot).  In addition to the Red Bull, I also brought along a variety of candies and "quiet" food I could munch on to stay awake for the long @ss drive.  No coffee for me, I did not want to stop unless I HAD to for the kids.


I actually made it past the grapevine on one tank of gas (yah Buick!).  By the time I got off the grapevine, it was about 8am and the kids were waking and I was also out of gas, so a perfect time to stop for a potty break, stretch and snack.  We ended up at a gas station that had a small Starbucks plus drive thru.  It was perfect.


After juggling the 2 kids at the gas station, we hit the road again (not without some Baby B screaming and Baby C drama) and made it to Newport Beach at about 10am.

We made it!  Here is a picture of Baby C after we checked in...still in her PJ's by the koi pond at the hotel.

I'll blog about my trip in several posts...stay tuned!

Christmas in the Park

This year we hit the Christmas in the Park event again in San Jose. We've gone every year since having kids. Funny how we never even thought if going to these events pre-kids...heh.

Here's Baby B chewing on one hat while wearing another. When the one on her head comes off, we switch.

This year Baby C tried ice skating for the first time ever. She only lasted one spin around the rink, but she hung there!...and so did Daddy J...holding Baby C up was tough on his back! Hah!

Daddy J lacing up Baby C's skates.

Baby C with her skates on. Doesn't she look all grown up?

Whoa....!

Daddy J and the girls.

Me and the girls.

Ooooh, pretty lights....

Baby B mesmerized by the lights.

Baby C also rode some rides...big surprise!

It got super crowded after it got dark, luckily, we were just about done, so we headed home. The event has gotten larger and larger each year and we'll definitely be back next year!