Counting my blessings...

I am so glad that I have been able to go to Erin's school and be a "Math Mom." When Erin started kindergarten, I was unable to volunteer as a parent to go help out in her class. Because I was running a daycare at home; it was impossible for me to bring all 4 toddlers and 1 baby into the classroom. I am very fortunate to have friends who are more willing to babysit Eli while I go help with Math in a Minute in Erin's class. She loves to see me there and I love seeing her interact with classmates and her teachers. She is so cute! I was also glad to hear Mrs. Hawkins mention that Erin is very smart. I am so proud of her. Here is a picture of her in class making apple fritters since it was Johnny Appleseed's birthday.



Erin's bestfriend at school.









Eli has been doing very well after receiving asthma treatment two days ago at the doctor's office. He started wheezing and had rapid breathing about once to twice a month. We now have a machine at home so that we can give him immediate treatment when he needs it. He doesn not have asthma as the doctor expains that as babies grow, so do their airway passages, lungs, etc. So, we will not know until he gets a little older.

Lately, Eli has enjoyed going for morning strolls. It's been cold in the mornings, but a little before noon, the weather is perfect. He enjoys pointing out birds and airplanes as we walk. We have also visited and harvested some vegetables from our garden...tons of pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumber and zuchinni. As I scan the garden for ripe vegetables, Eli is busy combing his hands through the dirt and throwing them in the air; and helps me pick baby tomatoes. I love spending this time with him. He is just so curious about the world around him, very observant and copies what Erin does most of the time. The other day, Erin tied her jump rope between two chairs and limboed. After watching Erin a couple of times, Eli decided that he wanted to give it a shot. We are so happy that we have Erin who sets a great example, and plays well with her brother (most of the time if Eli is not wacking her with a golf club). She is like mommy #2. She insists that Rico and I work on having another baby next semester...now where did she get that idea?

Rico started this semester with a full load of 19 units. He finished his internship at Lexington Law and is now devoting his time to studying and trying to get outstanding grades to get into a good law school. He left last night with one of his friends and our neighbor to Salt Lake to take an LSAT prep course. Next, week is the real deal and will take the actual exam. I know that he will do well. He is very ambitious and puts 110% into everything he does.












I reflect on the things that the Lord has bless me with and I am sure glad that he has given to me my children who loves me unconditionally. I am honored that the Lord has entrusted these evermore righteous beings to me. Motherhood is a special calling from the Lord. It is the most treasured and rewarding job I will ever have on this earth. I am also blessed with a husband who wants to study and work hard to provide for us. I am grateful that he acknowledges that sometimes I need to be relieve of my duties at home, and then steps in to take over. He supports me in everthing I do, including at home and my calling at church.

What more can I ask for?

Counting down to Rico's graduation!

We will be so excited when Rico graduate, but at the same time sad to leave good friends behind, although we will always remember them.

Typing away...

When there is complete silence upstairs, we can betcha anything, Eli is at the computer. He freaks us out by standing on the keyboard drawer. What a boy!

Eli learns to fold his arms for prayer & says Bird!

On our last family home evening, we watched as Eli looked at us as we said our prayers. He looks at all of us back and forth every time we pray. So, after we had our closing prayer, we took turns showing Eli how to fold hour arms for prayer and he did it!!!! He never ceases to amaze us! Children are so smart, they have the capacity to soak up everything they hear & see and what we teach them. They are limitless! I pray that Rico and I can continue to be a positive example to Erin and Eli.

Eli also learned how to say "bird". He likes to look for birds in the sky.

Kong's Birthday at Sizzler!

Kong with all of his grandchildren (well, not exactly all of his grandchildren; E-Pa was in labor with Jacob Thomas while we were eating - another precious addition to the family) . We were all so hungry when we arrived in California. Good thing we planned for dinner at Sizzler for Kong's birthday. Eli & Erin's cousin's, Rengsy, Jason, Isabel.
Poo-Toto's first baby (before we had Erin) Bel is the oldest cousin. She loves sweets!
Mama is Eli's biggest time spoiler! She loves Eli! When we got to her house, she was pulling up her driveway, and was so surprised to see Eli walking out chasing after his ball. It made her day! We like to surprise mama when we come to visit from Idaho.
This explains why Jason & Erin had the giggles all night long. They had to much ice-cream!
Kong-Kong loves Eli! He took a bath almost every night for him while we were visiting. Without a dougt, Eli is a mini-me of Kong without the Santa belly!

When we found out that Eli was scared of goldfishes, we assumed that he would be scared of dogs. So, we tried to becareful when Smallz was around, making sure to be extra cautious since Eli gets asthma symptoms at times. To our surprise, Eli likes to aggravate Smallz by pulling his tail and grabbing his hair. Here, he gets Smallz to lick his feet several times and screams in delight!

Uncle Rock and Eli!

Here is a good one of Uncle Rock and Eli. We all say that they resemble each other...especially the ears!!! We had so much fun sleeping over...we'll plan to sleep over longer the next time. Ate Emily was so sweet to make sure that we were comfortable and well fed! We love you Ate Emily! Ate Jen, we hope you are doing well in school! Stick to it! Go nurse, go nurse!

Ethan and Erin!

Ate Emily graduated with a nursing degree from University of San Francisco (USF) and is now a nurse at St. Rose hospital in Hayward. Way to go Ate. All that hard work paid off! We knew you could do it!

Ethan and Erin got to spend time with each other. Ethan is sooooo big! They really enjoyed making videos and recording each other singing on Ate Jen's computer. Rico's family also treated us to a new restaurent called Crawdaddy's. They serve crawfish and shrimp in bag-fulls! We brought our own rice and sauce...that's how you know we're Asians. Afterwards, we went to YoSwirl for dessert where we get to choose our own flavored ice-cream and top it with anything of our choice. We had a blast!

Eli's 1st Birthday with his cousins!

We were all so happy that Eli got to celebrate his birthday with his cousins.

Aunt Stephanie made sure that Eli didn't get away without being creamed. He looks puzzled as she smears cream on his foreheard as if he was trying to look for it.



Eli and Rengsey are playing with the toy Rengsey bought for his birthday.

Everyone close to us by now should know that Rico and I are last minute people. We decided a couple of days before we left that we would surprise our family in Cali with a visit. We celebrated Eli's first birthday with our extended family and had yummy sponge cake. Eli and Erin were both spoiled by Mama, Kong, Uncle Rock & Ate Emily. Here, Eli is assisting me in cutting the first piece of his cake. Thank to Mama, E-Ca, and great-grandma for helping out with the food preparation.

Birthday at Carino's!

Ok, so I didn't expect for us to do anything on my birthday, since we were always so broke! While Tom & Reyna babysat the kids, Rico took me to Johnny Carino's in IF. We did the two meals deal thingy and it was worth the wait at the long line! Rico also bought me a journal...just what I needed. Thanks, hon! Love ya!

My 28th Birthday!

Yuh-um! Sweet Reyna baked tres leche cake for m on my 28th birthday. Mike, thought the candle suits me! Mike, I'm not yet 30...(no offense to anyone). It was delish! I almost finish the whole cake myself! Thanks, Reyna! I enjoyed eating the cake and watching the Olympics opening ceremony with friends we love!

Temple Square in Salt Lake

We walked around temple square on our last day in Salt Lake. We went on top of the building of the Conference Center and Eli and me took a picture with the State Capitol building behind us. We also visited Brigham Young's house and we thought the kid's playroom was just adorable! Since it is our very first time at temple square, of course we had to get a classic picture of the family in front of the Salt Lake Temple. We lastly visited the HUGE visitor center and took a picture there, admiring Christ and contemplating on his love for us and his atoning sacrifice, so that families can always be together for eternity.

Fireworks in Salt Lake!

Later, after the parade, we viewed the fireworks in Salt Lake, outside of a basketball stadium. We were so close that the embers were falling around where we sat. People pulled out their picnic blanket and found any grassy area on the streets to watch the show. We were so close that Eli was afraid of the loud noises. I had to cover his ears! Rico is also pointing out the light work to Eli, trying to distract him from the noise. After a hot and exhausted day at the parade, Erin lounges back and watches

the the fireworks with her daddy. Towards the finale, the noise grew louder and the kids ran to E-Ca for comfort. Isn't that a cute picture of them with their aunt?

My favorite float!

I like this float the best, but where's Fonzi?

Our first time at a 4th July parade

This was the first time our family had ever watched a 4th of July parade. It was fun...Erin was determined to get all the freebies that they were throwing out to us, while Eli slept after 15 minutes into the parade. I had the worse eye allergy and fought to keep my eyes open!

Eli enjoys waving our American flag at the parade!

The Parade in Sandy, Utah!

We were anxiously awaiting for the parade to start in Sandy. Tom & Reyna joined us. Erin had a blast since people from the float kept throwing candies, otter pops, frisbees, and gave out stickers. This was the best part of the trip for her.

In Salt Lake City, watching fireworks!

We were in Salt Lake, watching fireworks, outside of the stadium. It was beautiful...it was like we had front row seats! Eli was startled and scared by the loud sounds of the firecrackers, but he started getting used to it. We are really enjoying it here and wish we could stay longer! Tomorrow, we will walk around Temple Square and head back home!

Playing Peekaboo

Eli is playing peekaboo behind the chair...as if we can't see him! He is a character.

The Duck Park

We have been feeding the ducks quite a bit since it is one of Erin's favorite thing to do. At first, she was afraid of the ducks insisting that they were after her to bite her (they were literally like speed walking after her for bread). After a while, Erin was very brave and comfortable and got closer to them. I was honestly getting nervous because those ducks could get vicious!

Chill'n Out!

We like to hang out with our friends when the sun is going down. Getting together for dinner, usually on Sundays and having fun. Grant is serenading us with his Ukelele.

Yummy frozen custard!

Erin is particpating in the suumer reading program at the library, "Catching the Reading Bug." She gets gifts certificates for completing her assignments. She recieved a certificate to BRC frozen yogurt. Eli is enjoying the coconut flavor as he smears it all over his face. Eli loves to eat what we're eating. He's ready for solids! He is such a big boy!

Field Day at Lincoln Elementary

Erin's school held field day the week before summer vacation. The theme was the "Olympics. Her class represented the country, Canada. Erin participated in the 3 legged sack race and did pretty well with her partner. They didnt' even fall! It was a very hot day and we were all toasted by the end of the day. Erin is having a snow cone with her friends while sitting in the tire swing.

Summer Luau date!

Rico and I went to the Summer Luau while Monica babysat the kids for us. The last time we had a date (alone) was about three years ago, so thanks, Ca! We had so much fun laughing. We had a few awkward moments of silence since we didn't have the kids with us. We couldn't get through the date without mentioning our kids. We love them so much! Erin still would have really enjoyed it. They had luau dancing and food. They served a whole roasted pig, fruit salad, and rice! It reminded me of our honeymoon in Hawaii when we went to Germaine's Luau. We are due for another Hawaii trip (witht the kids)! P.S. Rico hates this picture...he thinks he looks drugged.

Teton Museum

Eli smiles at the Camera! Howdy dudettes!