Maddie at Ballet...

and Adam has a new friend, Christina :)  She's the "older woman" at 4 1/2!  They are the same height, but definitely OLDER and more MATURE...she LOVES chatting it up with Mark too!

1st Magnolia Bloom

Backyard play time

There was a break in the weather so the kids were let out of their cage... no more "dress up/role playing.

Miya came to visit for weekend - 2 months old :)

Justin -17 weeks...enough said :)

Beautiful day for flowers...

(especially when you spend all day in your PJs?!)

Happy 15th Birthday ERIC!

I hadn't even graduated from college when he was born...Our Precious PET (Prince Eric Trieu)! and now he's all grown up, one year  (or more????) til he's driving!!

Dinner With Ngs

Kaeli has grown so much! AND she's so grown up...the way she eats all by herself and talks to her parents.  SOOOO Cute!  

Maddie is wearing her helmet for well...we aren't really sure why but Kaeli was amused.  And Adam, well, the TV is his best friend :)

Visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium

Mark took a few days off and after being indoors due to rain/storm, we ventured to the Aquarium.   It was neat to see how the kids have changed, from the way they took in the exhibits, observed the animals, and played with the toys...even posing for pictures :)  Boo Boo now says "My favorite part at the aquarium...." and depending on what he chooses, may crack himself up!  Maddie now attends presentations/lectures while she's there too. 

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon and we even saw a double rainbow on our way home...with TWO new otters in tow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

We spent our "special valentine's dinner" (Maddie picked that up from somewhere!)...at HOMETOWN BUFFET!  From all the restaurants she could choose from...her favorite.  Oh well.  At least they had a place for the kids to pose and me to take their picture for the blog :) (yes, they are really shy too!)

We all know it's a Hallmark holiday...But I've come to realize that with kids, it's no longer about romance: it's ALL ABOUT the kids!  Luckily, we can stop buying cards and gifts for each other because Maddie can make them for everyone :)  Not to mention, we get more than enough "crafts" to decorate our house too!   We made cupcakes for her class party Friday and she came home with an entire "mailbox" of treats and cards.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S!

Decorating cookies at the Knudsens

Matthew (Maddie's best boy-friend) invited the kids over for a Valentine's cookie decorating play date.  We were there along with Matthew's friend Chad.  The kids had so much fun...THANK YOU Kate for lunch and the mess :)

Reagan - 5 months

She really belongs in So Cal and NOT Texas!

The Surfer Girl...

Dinner @ Elephant Bar

This is what happens when you have spoiled rotten kids...they, well, Adam, refused to eat at home or even take out!  He insisted on going out to a restaurant, and of course since I'd rather spend the $10 bucks on Mac n Cheese vs hearing them whine and cry all night by myself... (Daddy was out of town at a sales meeting...lucky him!)

Maddie w Justin..and teaching Boo Boo!

Miya - 7 weeks

We were finally able to go and visit Brian, Miho and Miya at their new place...

Chinese New Year Parade

Maddie's pre-school had a parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year... all the kids were asked to wear red and each class made their own crafts for the parade.

Eco Friendly Tote Bags! www.nunel.com

I have become a true believer in recycling and trying to be "green."  We can all be skeptical of saving Earth and what it takes however, common sense dictates being frugal and wasting little as possible saves not only the Earth's resources but more importantly: THE BOTTOM LINE (or lining of my wallet/handbag ;P) is GREEN = MONEY! 

The kids LOVE to recycle bottles, cans and plastic bottles and why not?  We earn on average at least $10 a month. And it's soooo "easy peasy" as Adam likes to say.   We are also recycling in hopes of saving towards our own Family Foundation :)

As for being green and eco-friendly, we're trying to be more conscientious and using our own "bags" versus grocery bags or even store bags (although I have to admit, I am a sucker for nice/cute shopping bags like Nordy's, PBK or some of the boutique-y places...shopping bags if you can't have a birkin bag??...hmmmm...).  This past Christmas and for my birthday, a friend got me various unique shopping bags (GO JENN!) and another friend started her own line.  

Nunel.  The totes are completely recyclable because they are made of hemp and when "done" can be burned, unlike other "green" bags which still take a long time even after being "recycled" and the best part of these totes?  Part of the proceeds go towards underprivileged kids in China.  Ironic since most of our consumables are made in China?

WWW.NUNEL.COM

Oh, and for bridal parties, showers, gifts...it would make a great GREEN idea!  Especially for beach or those "OOT" (out of town for those not in the wedding biz!) bags, it holds A LOT and easily folded and stored to travel :)

(I'll add pics once I get some decent ones...)

Happy 3rd Birthday Kaeli!

yummy frosting..CUPCAKE!

All grown up and organized...passing out favors to her classmates :)