Summer's last hurrah / Legoland SoCal / Visiting the Halls

We ended our summer vacation with a couple days of work for me and a visit to Amy's parents before road tripping to SoCal for a few days.

Jad racing with Gong-Gong.. that kid thinks he's so fast :)

We had planned to leave on Tuesday evening and night driving most of the night to get to Carlsbad for Legoland but Kegan and Alex also happened to be having their birthday dinner that night. 

The birthday boys

We got the kids to bed by 10p and tried valiantly to clean up and leave but gave in and decided to postpose til morning.  We woke up at 5am and packed, got the kids up by 6am and were on the road.  

Early morning drive with McD breakfast

The drive went well and we ran into minimal (for LA) traffic.  The kids did better than on previous drives.. they were up for a bit, then napped and eventually we did give them some screen time.  

A quick stop midway for soft serve

We had planned to meet Matt and Nicole for dinner so we had to kill a few hours so we stopped at the LA Natural History Museum.

We had a lot of energy after sitting in the car all morning

Bear and fighting poses

Sora loved the gem exhibits.. the boys not so much

We met up with Matt at the playground before dinner

We stayed at the Hyatt place next to Legoland.  I think hotel amenities used to be much nicer before COVID.. the room itself was large and comfortable but the breakfast was just cold pre-packaged items, or the shuttle to Legoland wasn't operational.  Unfortunately, amenities seem fated to go the way of airline perks.

Finally made it to use our annual pass for the 3rd time .. 
We Asian and gotta get our money's worth!

Amy and Kai in their own fire engine.. 

Sora and Kai enjoyed driving around in the little go carts

This was the tamest ride ever but Jad enjoyed it :)

The favorite ride was the submarine and we went on it twice in a row

Jad posing in the line to the Ninjago ride

Overall, Legoland was a lot of fun but we might be ready to move on to the next level (Disney?!?)  I think they did try a bit and it was mostly outdoors but most were not masked there.  We're glad we didn't get into the submarine with the unmasked family of 7 that was behind us in line..

Jad had a bit of a runny nose actually on the first couple days of our trip so we were hesitant about going to visit the Halls but he did improve on the 3rd day so we decided to go for it.  We made a quick stop at the beach in Carlsbad before heading inland.  Kids were so anti but when they got there, they really enjoyed it

This ain't no cold Oregon or NorCal beach!

Pretty nice family selfie!

A drink to celebrate the Hall Udom reunion

Sunset walk

Anyone watch "Aliens"..

Jad: Dad, can we get some these blue and red guns?

Pool time!

Followed by Slip and Slide .. yes, Jad is drinking 
directly from the slide .. sigh

The visit was short and sweet.  On our way back, we had planned to visit with Sabrina and family but Kari's basketball teammate tested COVID+ so they had to cancel.  We still met with Theresa, Ray and their kids.  

Ramen picnic in Monterey Park

We finished dinner and then piled in the car.  The kids watched a bit of TV as it got dark and then we let them sleep as Amy and I both drove the rest of the way home, getting in around midnight.  

Evening drive on the 5

All in all, it was a great trip despite the shadow that COVID casts on everything.  I feel a little sad, longing for easier times, but I know that we'll get through and things will return to normal with time.  I wish that things were easier but am grateful for all that we have.

Next week: back to school!

Last week of summer vacation / Church camping / Amy's PR mile!

This week is the last week of summer vacation for the kids.  Honestly, we have been looking forward to this for over a year since the pandemic started and Kai and Sora were at home all of last year and some but with the Delta Variant rising, it does make me worry a bit.  Perhaps not personally so much as I know the chances of our kids getting seriously ill is rather small.  There is a tiny bit of worry that with my mitochondrial condition, I'm not sure how COVID will effect me if I get it.  I am worried that a bunch of kids going back to school will spread coronavirus like crazy and cases will generally increase around our area.  I am still reassured that the bay area is generally very highly vaccinated.  Sigh, damn COVID..

The weekdays were pretty quiet.  I worked most of the days and Amy took the kids to the Great Mall to look for some nicer clothes for Matt's upcoming wedding.  

Had to stop for pretzels midway through the shopping ordeal

The kids went swimming as per usual though they are losing their enthusiasm for it a bit. We are canceling our Villa membership soon and will go back to 24 Hr Fitness for now :)

Sometimes they aren't fighting 

The big event of the week was our camping trip with church.  The last time we went was 3 years ago as we missed 2019 (because of Thailand) and 2020 (COVID) so we were really looking forward to it.  The trip overall was great!  The kids had fun playing together and running off into the woods.  We had fun catching up with friends that we hadn't seen in a while.  No one was burned despite many small children with sticks and the roaring fire.  What more can you ask for? 

Kids with burning sticks!

Jad working to pump up the inflatable beds

It's not camping without s'mores

Late night screen time sneaking while the adults are talking

We were at Sunset Beach so we spent much of Saturday in the sand.  It was a bit cool and overcast but Amy and I managed to get mild sunburns on our faces.

Tent city on the beach

As usual Stephen, with his infinite patience, helped the kids
make a giant volcano and moat

Ethan and family came down for the day too

Sora and Elisa had fun digging their own hole fortification

The shaws also daytripped down and the kids got
a ride in the trunk of the minivan

A bunch of clams were dug up (mostly by Sophie and Victor)..
Questionably legal but definitely delicious!

Jad is negotiating with Uncle Drew for bacon
before everyone else starts eating.. he got one :)

There was a lot of mist which condensed in the trees and fell on our tent.  Nonetheless, we slept better than any previous camping trip.  Maybe these kids are growing up after all..

Stuffing the tent back into the bag after drying it at home..
Til the next camping trip!

Lastly, today Amy finished up her speed training and she went to test herself.  I'm happy to report that she handily beat her previous mile time (7 mins 20 secs) and did it in 6 mins 56 secs.  Woo hoo!  She says in high school, she was able to run it in 6 mins 53 secs but I think that's still pretty amazing :)

Halls visiting this week / SAM camp for Kai and Sora / Matt and Nicole visit / Climbing wall progress

Lots of stuff this past week, but the highlight was definitely the visit from the Halls, our neighbors who moved down to Temecula a year ago.  They were in town for a visit and luckily they agreed to stay with us and it was awesome!  Their kids are very similar ages to our kids and they fit right back into the neighborhood like almost no time had gone by.  We spent a lot of time in the Connicks' backyard, eating together and the kids had great time playing, dancing and staying up way too late..

We had dinner and drinks nearly every night..

.. sometimes during the days too

The kids had an impromptu art class with Peggy

They usually played together but sometimes snuck a bit of screen time

Our first run of the smoker.. 

Ribs and chicken success!!

Quite a spread!

In the middle of it all, Audrey asked, "is this how you live everyday?!   Ha, ha, no but thank you for visiting and giving us an excuse to do it :)

Lastly, our kids just got along so well with the Hall kids.  Kai and Isaac, Sora and Owen, Jad and Evie.  It was wonderful to see them together again.  And also with Elysia, Kazu, An-Toan, Paige and Casey!  Lucky, we'll be visiting them in a couple week too!

Bunch of goofball boys..

A couple of smiley girls

Everyone playing late into the night

SAM camp was also this week and Kai and Sora had a great time.  The staff at camp was very caring and they both came home with fun projects that they did.  I think we'll continue to do this as long as we can.

In the midst of all this, it is still important to mention that life still throws curveballs at you.  Amy's aunt passed away.  She was 99 and lived a full life with lots of loving family to miss her.

Of course, she's getting ready for Matt and Nicole's wedding.  They came up this weekend to visit and tie up some loose ends before the wedding (in less than a month!)  

They are always so good about playing with the kids..
The energy of youth :)

Sora got her flower girl dress this week as well.  She's very excited about the wedding and a bit nervous as it's the first time, she'll be the center of attention for any event so big.

Looking very cute!

On the project front, I'm making slow progress on the climbing wall..

Sanding down the sides of the plywood so no one gets splinters.
(Thanks for the sander loan, Charlie!)

Then we moved the wood upstairs to start planning the routes.

Lastly, the kids all got haircuts this week.  Now, the only one left is me.  Til next week!

Short Hair Jad.. he distracted because he has to pee ;)