Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts

Friday, January 6, 2012

A look back - 2011!


2011 ended with a nice little celebration at home.  I wanted to make sure to remember all the fun times from the past year so I pulled a bunch of pictures of some memorable moments. 

What a fantastic 12 months!  I feel truly blessed for my wonderful husband, amazing children and the greatest group of friends and family. 

My hope is that there will be peace in the world and joy and fulfillment for each of us.  Look forward to sharing 2012 with all of you!

We celebrated New Year's Eve with fake mustaches!
Why does everyone look so serious?  The mustaches were pressing down on their upper lip so it's hard to smile. (except for Michael)
Jimmy started swim class at South Bay Aquatics in February and is a great little swimmer now!
Jimmy's first time in the snow - this is the Alpine Slide at Big Bear Lake.
Jimmy helping Uncle Michael with his second album - due to be released this Spring!
Jimmy's first time on ice skates.  I swear he had a good time.
We attended some kids' workshops at Lowe's and Home Depot.  Pete - I mean Jimmy sure made a lot of projects!
Celebrating my dad's birthday at Lawry's Prime Rib.
We took my parents to Vegas... Jimmy had a great time too! (His favorite was the M&M Store)
Teresa & Alex got Pete an "Exotics Racing" experience for his birthday.  He got to drive a Ferrari around a race track!  It was extra fun because he got to do it with Alex and Scotty.
Our dear friends the Hohnbaums moved into a new house with an awesome heated pool!  Here is Ashley's first time in a swimsuit AND in a pool.  I swear she had a good time.
My mom's first Dodger Game! (complete with Dodger Dog and fireworks)
My little sister got married in May!  Teresa was a gorgeous bride, Jimmy called her a beautiful princess all day.   We love Alex and were all so happy to welcome him into our family.  Pete was the officiant at their wedding and he read the whole ceremony from his iPhone (what else would you do when you can't get to a printer?)  Teresa and Alex are expecting a baby this June - I'm so excited to be an aunt!
Ashley started Gymboree classes in April - she absolutely LOVES going there!
We got to watch Cars 2 at El Capitan - what a fun movie!
Celebrating the 4th of July at the Murakami house - Ashley's second time in a swimsuit and not sure what Jimmy is doing. 
Riding a mini roller coaster at the OC Fair.  We also ate some crazy things like deep fried Kool-Aid and deep fried maple bar with bacon!
The Star Wars exhibit at the Discovery Science Center was SO COOL!!!!
Got a free night at the Montage in Dana Point - such a beautiful place!
Fun time in the bath!
Jimmy with his buddy Arjun and his favorite teacher Ms. Stephanie.  She moved away so we had a little going away party for her at our house.
This is our lanai (balcony) in our ridiculous suite at the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki. Even more ridiculous was that the room was free.  We wanted to stay there forever...
Our day at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii - we all wore matching Aloha shirts!
Me with the Huhlets at the Tanaka Farm pumpkin patch in Irvine.
Ashley at her one year birthday party in her Chinese dress.  It kind of looks like she has lipgloss on but it's probably just food grease.
Ashley in her traditional Korean hanbok for her one year birthday party.  She is probably licking off the food grease from her lips here.
Jimmy fighting Darth Vader on his 4th birthday at the Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland.  He looks really determined...
Ashley's hair went through a period when it stood straight up.  I think I was trying to squash it down with a bow in this picture. 
In November we went to the Bay Area for Karen's wedding - in which I was the officiant (I know it's easy to see that because I have my officiant looking dress on).
One of the best birthday presents ever - Pete took me to see my favorite band OMD in concert and they were GREAT!!!!

The Murakamis welcomed sweet little baby Nathan this July.  This picture was taken at his baptism where we were so honored to be one of his godparents!

Christmas time at Disneyland is truly magical - we love watching Sleeping Beauty's castle light up, the fireworks and snow that tastes like gingerbread!


Jimmy learned how to use training chopsticks!

So long Prius! We got the Nissan Leaf (an electric car) in July.  
Pete's dad Dr. Huh, sadly passed away in September. This picture was taken at the funeral in New York.  Calvin is Pete's nephew who is 13 years old but is 6 foot 3.  The last time I saw Calvin (just a few year ago) he was shorter than ME! 

This is Ashley's first time riding on Daddy's shoulders! 

This may look like child abuse but my Uncle Terry is simply initiating Ashley into the Lee family.  No arm is safe if you are a kid in our family. 

Please don't be alarmed - this is yet another initiation.

I no longer work for KCC as of July which was a big change in my life.  I am now a stay at home mom and amateur golfer.  Sandy and I took lessons at the beautiful Los Verdes Golf Course and this picture is from my first time on a golf course.
This is a big one - Pete has looked forward to this for YEARS.  In December, he reached ONE MILLION FLOWN MILES with Continental Airlines.
Jimmy started Tae Kwon Do classes in August.  He loves it!  He is getting exercise, having fun while learning discipline and how to focus. The classes are like a free comedy show for adults - the kids are so darn cute and funny.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A Happy Huhliday

This Christmas was the first one we've spent at home since 2007 when Jimmy was born.  We definitely miss celebrating the holidays with our friends the Izumihara's in Hawaii but it's also been fun for us to come up with new traditions to celebrate at home. 

First we decorate the house with lights and put up the Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving so the house feels festive the whole month.  We have holiday music playing every morning - Jimmy's favorites are Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Ashley hasn't told me her favorites yet).  We go out with friends to see the light displays at Candy Cane Lane and watch my favorite holiday movie "A Christmas Story" on Christmas eve.  After the movie, Jimmy declared "I don't ever want a BB gun - I'll shoot my eye out!!"

Late on Christmas eve, we wrapped the doorway to the living room with wrapping paper so Jimmy can burst through the paper and see the mounds of gifts that have appeared overnight under the Christmas tree. 

I feel so blessed to have such a happy, healthy family, a roof over our heads, food on the table and wonderful and amazing friends like you!

Ashley the Christmas Elf!

Jimmy left Santa his favorite meal - mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, broccoli and water...mmmm.


What a lucky kid!
Giddy from opening so many presents!


Alex and Teresa with their stocking stuffers.

An inappropriate picture of Pete with his summer sausage.

Ashley loves her new "laptop"!

Most awesome gift award goes to Alex & Teresa who got Pete tickets to the Rose Bowl!

Ashley's new baby doll

Auntie Annie!


Pete and Scotty

Contents of Ashley's cart: balls, hot dog, a raw steak and milk

So glad cousin Lori came by!