Fun in the California Sun

For our last trip of the summer, we decided to head back to CA and spend time with my parents and my brother's family. I think it had been a while since we had all been together so it was a very nice visit. Brooke loved having her cousins around although it seemed at some times that it was a love/hate relationship. Some of the highlights of the trip were:

Going to the beach. I haven't been to the beach in who-know-how-long and Brooke loved every part of it until it came time to change a stinky diaper that wasn't even stinky. Just full of wet sand. Great fun!!!

Going to the park.

Feeding the ducks at the duck pond. Note to self-Ducks don't like leftover pancakes

Getting a free ride from Uncle Will while walking to the park

Hanging out by the poolPlaying with Auntie Megan's kittensAnd just basically monkeyed aroundLastly, just wanted to give a quick shout out Troy and thank him for all his hard work and making it possible for us to go on all these fun trips. Here was his Father's Day dinner.

Happy Daddy Day!!!!

Happy daddy day to all the papas out there. I would have to say that this Father's Day is better than last year since Brooke could wake Troy up saying "happy daddy day" although she just took to saying happy day instead. Oh well, I think Troy gets the idea. It was also Brooke's great idea to get Troy a camping stove and lantern for the occasion. We're one step closer in finally camping in this great state.

In other goings on, here is what we've been up to since we got back from Hong Kong.

Brooke and I went to the zoo for the first time this season. She loved seeing all the different animals and would actually hold my hand and walk around for a bit.

She was very concerned when the elephant threw hay on its back.

We've gone swimming a couple of times. Brooke loves the water and really has no fear of being in it chest deep.


Lastly, Troy has done a lot of work in our garden area of the backyard. I made a request to have raised beds and he delivered!!!!! He did a great job in constructing them and we finally have our garden in. Lets just hope that our summer will be long so we'll be able to get the fruits from "our" labor. Thanks Troy!!!!!

Orient Express Part 3

More pictures, less commentary.

This was the dumpling restaurant right next to our hotel. We tried it on Wednesday night because it was convenient. We returned the next night because it was really good.

Tuesday Uncle Kady took us to a temple on the Kowloon side. The koi fish pond was really cool.

The temple was a mix of Chinese and Japanese.


On Friday night we went to Victoria Peak at night. This was the view from the base of the Bank of China building.

Friday during the day we went to Ocean Park. It was an amusement park and aquarium.

We took in an show with dolphins and sea lions.

The eels were kind of creepy.

The views were incredible.

The gold fish were cute.

The Chinese giant Salamander was ugly.

And the panda just slept and pooped. Overall it was a very fun day.

Thursday evening we took in the harbor light show. Great views.

The moon added its natural glow to the festivities.

On the Star Ferry across the harbor.

The flower market had lots of great flowers, including these ones.

Brooke had a lot of fun with Gong Gong and Po Po. She got spoiled by one of Joanna's co-workers with a present every day.

She ate well and especially loved Joanna's ribs (so did we!)

And she played with the pool water. Thanks to Ed and Joanna for watching Brooke. And to Shane and Heather for the fun vacation.

Orient Express Part 2

The rest of Monday we spent in Ngong Ping checking out the Big Buddha.

Heather and I decided to get into character.

It was really hot that day, so soaking in the culture we sought shade under our umbrella. The 260 some stairs to the Big Buddha didn't help with the heat.

At least it was a nice view from the top, with a pleasant breeze.

After a vegetarian lunch at the monastery (just ok), we took the cable car to the train station. The 25 minute ride was really nice, and the views even better. You come in by the airport, which is built entirely on reclaimed land.

That evening we joined Shane's colleagues at the Jumbo Floating restaurant. Food was plentiful, and delicious, which made up for the over the top decor!

Orient Express Part 1

This past week we had the pleasure of spending a week in Hong Kong. My brother Shane was there for a conference for his company, so Tracie and I performed the selfless act of showing Heather around Hong Kong. It was a very nice break, and we are grateful to Shane and Heather for letting us tag along and to Tracie's parents for watching Brooke the whole time. But enough words, let's get straight to the pictures.

We look fresh before the flight that left LAX at midnight Friday night. 15 hours later we were in Hong Kong at 5:30 Sunday morning. What happened to Saturday?!?

We headed to Dim Sum on Sunday at the City Hall building. Shane even suggested we order the chicken feet. Luckily Shane told Heather that you aren't supposed to eat the bones. After lunch we walked to church at the Wan Chai chapel. Very cool building, and it has 3 chapels on the first 7 floors!

Sunday night Uncle Kady (old college roommate of Tracie's Dad) took us to dinner, which was very nice. He is perhaps the most hospitable man I have ever met, and we feel very grateful for the time we got to spend with him.

Monday, we headed to Lantau to see the Big Buddha. WE took a ferry on the way out there, and this is a shot from the ferry of the west side of the island.
More to come...