What a Difference a Year Makes

Last June:

This last February:

We're so excited for Robyn. Can't wait to meet your little gal!!!!!!!

Snow Anyone?

After having a couple weeks of glorious weather, the lack of winter was bound to catch up to us. We have not seen snow in our backyard for at least 2 months and snow in our front yard for maybe 1 1/2 months. The weather people forecasted 16-22 inches in the foothills of Denver and boy did it deliver. Funny thing is, on a news website it said that Castle Rock only accumulated 4" of snow. For some reason, I don't believe them. The snow started coming down around 9:30 in the morning but it was in full swing by noon. There was even a blizzard warning out but this was nothing like the blizzard of '06.

If you look closely, you may be able to see the house at the end of our cul-de-sac.

This is the view from the floor that is the same level of the deck. I think that's more than 4". Troy went into work Thursday morning and then proceeded to spend the afternoon in a bus trying to make his way home. He finally made it home and decided to work from home today. He even took a little break and tried to sled down the "hill" in our backyard. It was pretty funny.

Hope you find this next one as funny as I did.

Too bad I couldn't keep the camera still enough so you could see Troy afterwards. It was priceless. He looked kind of similar to how I looked after this.

Before:

After:

Happy 8 Months To You!!!!!!!

Brooke is 8 months today!!!!!!!!!!!! Is it really only 4 months away that she'll be one?!?!?!? I can't believe it. Here are some of the fun things she can do:

*She is sitting up like a champ

*Looks like she's ready to be on her hands and knees

*No teeth but a really cute, gummy grin

*Loves to make silly faces

*Loves her puffs and yogurt melts. Could careless for the actual fruits and vegetables she should be eating.

*Loves to mess with you while you're trying to change her diaper. Usually results in one of us pinning her arms down with our legs. (Sorry no pic of this one...yet)

*Loves to talk and even "sing" when I'm playing the piano.

*Is getting more hair on top so I can finally put it in a clip.

* Likes to give loves to everything and anything.

*Loves to play with other kids even if they do like to steal her toys.

International Traveler Part II (Warning: Very long)

Wednesday, my family and I headed out to do a little bit of shopping. I ended up with a cute chinese dress and pajamas for Brooke and a couple of shirts for Troy. All for a great deal. Later that evening was the wake for my grandpa. Both the wake and funeral were very different than happens here in the states. The funeral home was unlike any that I've seen here. It was built more for practical and efficient use than being nice and pretty like the ones here. When we first arrived we received a white envelope that contained kleenex, a Hong Kong dollar (which is the equivalent of a quarter here), and a piece of candy. Both Will and I thought that the significance of the dollar and candy were interesting. Who isn't happy when they receive money. And that was pretty much the reasoning behind that. We also had to spend it before the day was over. I think I helped Will buy a pakc of Mango tic tacs for Kristin. The candy was to help make this a sweeter experience. Afterwards the immediate family had to put on black robes and then bow, out of respect, 3 times. All visitors who came that night did the same but without having to wear a black robe and they also bowed to us and us to them thanking them for coming. We did this for 4 hours. We were allowed to mingle with people there but I could do much mingling seeing as I don't speak Cantonese very well...maybe not at all. Both Will and I were very glad that we did not bring out kids because they would not have been able to last.Thursday morning was the funeral. That, too, was very different than here. It was very much like the wake whereas we had to bow to pay our respects and bow to the people that came to thank them for coming. We also had to make sure that the items that were wanted to be placed in the casket were in there. Also to make sure that my grandpa was lying straight. The Chinese believe that when you're sleeping perfectly straight and centered then you will have the most peaceful, restful sleep. I thought that was pretty neat. They also placed a pearl in his mouth but we all missed the significance of that. That was pretty much all of the funeral. Friday, we spent the day hanging out with my dad and did a little more shopping...actually my mom did more of the shopping. She did get some pretty sweet deals. If any one is planning a trip to Hong Kong, they should go with my mom because she's the haggling queen. That afternoon my mom and I got our hair done for super cheap. I opted just to get it washed and "styled" but my mom was the gutsy one to actually get it cut. The just washed and straightened my hair. Let me tell you, humidity does crazy things to my hair. I know it's hard to believe but imagine Monica on Friends when she goes to Barbados and her hair goes wild. Mine wasn't as wild but the guy definitely pointed out that I had poofy hair. Later that night we met up with "auntie" Laura and she took us to the LDS Church Administration building in Hong Kong. There we met up with one of my mom's old primary friends, Stanley Wan. They had not seen each other in years. He is in the Area Seventy and oversees the welfare program for 24 countries. He gave us a tour of the building and told us about the previous administration building that my mom went to church at when she was little. It's called the Kom Tong Hall. We actually got a picture of it during our last trip. He also told us how the temple in Hong Kong was built. It's a pretty incredible story...A proposal was drafted on where the new location for the Hong Kong temple be built. There were various places that were thought to be the perfect place. President Hinckley came to visit and looked at the proposed spots. Each spot, he felt, was not the place that the temple should be built. Sometime during the night while he was visiting Hong Kong, it was revealed to him the exact location where the Hong Kong Temple should be built. It would replace an existing church building. Some people were worried about the location seeing as it was near a red light district. President Hinckley said that it would take care of itself. In submitting plans to the government for approval, the plans were denied 2 times before President Hinckley drew up the plans that he saw in his vision. It was then approved. Now, almost 13 years later, the location picked has been a miracle and it now is close to a new train station that services the rest of China.

All in all, I'm really glad that I was able to go and be with my grandma and family during this time. I think that this is the first time (and probably the last) that my family would go on a trip with just my brother and I and no spouses or kids.

International Traveler Part I

Well, I suppose it's my turn to jot a little about my trip to Hong Kong. The events leading up to this trip were very much a whirlwind. Let's backtrack to the weekend Troy, Brooke, and I headed to CA in mid-February. Prior to this trip, we knew that my grandpa (yeh-yeh) was not feeling good and had been in the hospital. The weekend we came down, my dad got word that it was time for him to head to Hong Kong to be with yeh-yeh. We got word about 2 weeks ago that yeh-yeh had passed away and that if we'd like to, we could go to Hong Kong for the funeral. Well, as you all know, Troy had a "business" trip to Puerto Rico so that left Brooke and I. Unfortunately, Brooke does not have her passport so she couldn't go either. Both my brother, Will and I decided that it would be best if we just go. Troy's mom had already planned on coming out here to spend a few days with us while Troy was gone so instead of arriving on Monday she and Aunt Bobbi came out on Saturday. I left Saturday afternoon to head to CA. The following day we left for Hong Kong at 12:30 am. We pretty much skipped all of Monday and arrived in Hong Kong Tuesday afternoon with a quick layover in Seoul, Korea. Luckily, my mom, Will, and I weren't too jetlagged. My dad and psuedo-uncle Kady pick us up from the airport and took us to lunch at an exclusive club that uncle Kady belongs to. It served food from his home province in China, Ning-Bo. Later that afternoon, after we finally showered and got ready for the day, we headed over to my grandma's (ma-ma) and to keep her company for a little bit. Some of the conversation that took place I understood but towards to the end, my parents, aunts, and mama were talking about vaccinations and other stuff that I did not understand. Just sitting there, I think the time difference finally caught up to Will and I. Afterwards, we met up with my mom's friend, "auntie" Laura and headed to some local restaurant by way of the "ding-ding" (their tram). I practically fell asleep on Will's shoulder traveling there but the food was worth it and we fell asleep that night with full tummies.

I think I'll follow in my brother's footsteps and post about my trip in parts. Both, Will and I did not take cameras with us but luckily Troy and I took hundreds of pictures during out last trip that I think they'll suffice. Until tomorrow.

This is the bridge that connects the airport to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.Will and I in front of our hotel, L'Hotel. (This is one of two pics that was taken with my dad's camera)

Puerto Rico Junket

Last week I had a meeting with a client in Puerto Rico. It was very tough to leave behind the 40 degree weather here in Denver for the 80's in San Juan. I arrived on Monday night, and had dinner in Old San Juan, which is where the cruise ships dock. Tuesday morning we had our meetings, which went very well. Then in the afternoon, I was able to catch some time at the beach. Wednesday morning, my colleague and I rented jet skis and rode them around in the ocean before our flight back to the U.S. It was a fun trip, and very relaxing. I wish that we would have had more time to plan it so Tracie could have been there with me, but maybe next time.

Here is the Playa de Isla Verde. The water wasn't too cold, especially considering it was early March.

This is the pool at the Ritz Carlton, where we stayed. The hotel was very nice, although at times the level of pampering was a little awkward. If you turn around from the where I took the picture, you are right on the beach, which is what the next picture is.

Tuesday night we went to watch the World Baseball Classic, which was taking place in Puerto Rico. We watched the Netherlands eliminate the Dominican Republic in 11 innings, much to the dismay of the loud, boisterous, whistle blowing, Dominican crowd.

Jet setting

This is Lexie. Troy and Tracie are out traveling the world, and I'm stuck at home staring out the windows. At least I have the rabbits to keep me company. Full reports from Puerto Rico and Hong Kong coming in the next week or so. Stay tuned...

Rachel, McKenna, Ryleigh, Dan

As Tracie watches the season finale of the Bachelor, and then the 'After the Rose' episode, I'll update the blog. On Tuesday, Rachel, McKenna and Ryleigh came to visit us. Tracie got to spend the majority of time with them, since I had to work. Boo!!

On Wednesday they went to the zoo. According to Tracie, 'it was the season'.



Tracie wanted me to tell you that she can jump farther than a polar bear!



On Thursday they went to the Children's Museum. They said it was just ok, maybe since it was only really interesting to McKenna.
Brooke enjoyed having Ryleigh around all week, especially since they got to sit next to each other in the car. Brooke enjoyed looking at Ryleigh, and Ryleigh returned the favor by stealing all of her toys, one at a time!

On Friday, they went to the US Mint. No cameras in the Mint, so no pictures. No free samples either, what a rip off!! We also picked up Dan at the aiport.

On Saturday, we went to the Kids Expo at the Colorado Convention center. It was a nice afternoon, nice weather, and a good time to walk off our Dim Sum lunch.




Tracie also found time to attend Robyn's baby shower. Crazy how quickly our little Robyn has grown up. It seems like just yesterday she was living under our roof!


Sunday, we went to church and played Ticket to Ride. Then we played Ticket to Ride again, and then one more time for good measure.

Today was Garden of the Gods and a picnic lunch in the 70 degree weather. Then we had a night cap at Cinzetti's. Delicious!!!





It's been a fun week, and as always, we enjoyed playing the hosts.

Sorry to keep you all hanging the last couple of weeks but we're finally back and ready to roll. Some fun and exciting things have occurred since our last post beginning with the newest addition to our household....we sadly said goodbye to our trusty ol' Acura and welcomed with open arms, our new Pilot. Troy surprised me the Tuesday before we left for California. He called around 5 saying that he was on his way home and that he would be home around the same time the day before. That was around 5:45. There was no way that he would be home by then but I didn't really think anything of it. He called again around 6 saying that he was stuck in traffic and that he would be another 20 minutes. He said that he was calling from the Castle Pines exit which is maybe 5 minutes away but it had been snowing so I thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt. He calld again around 6:30 saying that he would be a little bit later than mentioned before but that he would be bringing home a surprise. The wheels started turning in my head and lo and behold, I was right. He came pulling in with our brand new Pilot. It was a great surprise.

Thursday we left to head down to California. It was a mini vacation just for kicks but we thoroughly enjoyed getting away. Brooke did great on the plane ride. She whimpered a bit on our decent which isn't surprising but all in all she was great. She is a well-seasoned traveler now. She's been on 4 roundtrip flights and has done pretty well on all of them. Friday we headed over to the Getty Museum. It was a rainy, cold day but we enjoyed the one exhibit we saw before we had to leave to meet my mom at her school. We met up with my mom so she could show off Brooke to all her co-workers then headed home. My dad had to head to Hong Kong that night so we went to Sam Woo then my mom dropped him off at the Flyaway. Later that night I got to see my piano teacher, Sis. Neilson. I hadn't seen her in about 4 years so it was great to catch up.

Saturday we went to San Diego and met up with Matt and his family and Jonnelle. We had lunch at Point Loma's Seafood. It was so good to see them and enjoy the California weather. A storm was supposed to roll in that day but luckily it was all sunshine the whole day. Sunday we had church and then a family gathering. All of my mom's brothers and sisters showed up except for one and some of the cousins that live in the area. It was definitely a full house. Monday we laid low but got to meet up with my friend, Megan, for lunch. It was great catching up with her and now all we need to do is convince her to move to Denver! :) Tuesday we came back to Denver. It was a great vacation but it's always nice to come home. The bad thing now is that we're all sick. Brooke started getting sick Wednesday, me on Thursday, and Troy yesterday. It's just a cold but poor Brooke is just Miss Snotty Nose. Hopefully it'll pass soon. Luckily Brooke has been able to handle it fairly well. Yesterday Robyn and Aaron came down and we went and saw He's Just Not That Into You. It was an okay movie. It's been a busy couple of weeks and there's still more excitement to come. Rachel, McKenna, and Ryleigh are coming to visit Tuesday and Dan will be joining us on Friday. We're excited. Now all I have to do is come up with stuff to do while they're down here.

Lastly, here are some goofy pictures and videos of Brooke.