The Melting Pot on New Year's Eve Eve

D and I decided to celebrate New Year's Eve a little early and went out to the Melting Pot in Irvine last night. Our leisurely meal took about two hours and a quarter hours! It was the first time having fondue in a restaurant for both of us, and it was fun. I didn't think D would enjoy cooking his own entree, but he got into it. His stopwatch actually came in handy to keep track of the recommended two minute cooking time. It was a good thing that we were able to leave k with my parents, because bubbling pots of chocolate, broth, and cheese and a two year old would not have been a good combination.
We ordered the Wisconsin Trio cheese fondue, California salad/House salad (comes with the entrees), French Quarter/Shrimp & Sirloin entrees, and Flaming Turtle chocolate fondue. We were able to pace ourselves, making sure to save room for dessert! The cheese fondue came with bread chunks, granny smith apples slices and carrots/cauliflower. Although the busboy wanted to take everything away when we were done with the cheese, I asked if we could keep the bread and apples. That was nice, because we were able to have a little more bread with our entrees (it's hard for me to eat meat without some carbos!) and finish the apples with the chocolate.
Even though we used our Entertainment Card (1 free entree), it was a bit spendy, but it was a meal we'll remember for a long time. We were able to discuss our goals for 2009 and reflect a little...it was nice having a nice private booth towards the back. It was also funny overhearing the couple next to us swearing at their bubbling pot of oil (one of the entree cooking options). I thought they were going to start a grease fire!

Reflecting on 2008

I am thankful for the week and a half that I have off from work to relax with my family. Recently I have been feeling burnt out from working long hours at my new job, training for a marathon, attending BSF, being a dad, and being a part of the ETV and Endowment committees at WPC.

Earlier this month, I have been thinking that I need to cut back on some activities, especially when kid #2 comes along. I am not terribly good at multi-tasking and I know I am not giving my all; at least on the last 4 items. However, during this time I have had time to reflect on what God is doing in my life during this past year. And scripture such as Isaiah 40: 29-31 lets me know God's promise.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

I am reminded that if I stay close to God in scripture and prayer, then He will provide strength. I was reminded of that when I was feeling really tired one Friday night and had a meeting at WPC. I had a bad attitude going into the meeting, however after the meeting I felt energized after feeling like I contributed to the meeting and worked together for a common vision.
I believe in 2009, God will provide me the strength to continute to do all the things that I believe God is calling me to do.

Solid

The Golden Bears have been in bowl games the past 6 years and they have won 5 of them. They have had two 10 win Holiday Bowl seasons in that 6 year span and this year they finished 9-4 and beat Miami in the Emerald Bowl. Not great, but Solid.



Tedford has won 5 bowl games which matches the total bowl game wins Cal has had from 1916-2001. Of course there are more bowl games now than there where before however; it is a pretty crazy stat.

Next year Riley (QB), Best (RB), & Tucker (WR) will be back. Hopefully we will be bowling again next year.

Sea World

Didn't you guys just go to the San Diego Zoo? Yes, but since we were recently offered free tickets that expired in January 2009, we decided to do a quick day trip. It took about an hour and a half to get there. The traffic was not bad since we went the day after Christmas. We arrived before the 9 a.m. opening time.

The Christmas decorations were still up.
As soon as the chains came down, we headed for the Sesame Street play area. There were three rides that k could go on with D. (According to the signs, I wasn't supposed to go on them since I'm pregnant).

This was taken before the ride attendant told D that k should ride on the inside.


k didn't have much of a reaction to the first two rides. I think she was still tired from the car ride. She did smile, however, on this last one. It was nice not to have to wait in any lines. We were done with these three rides in about twenty minutes!


Afterward, we went to Penguin Encounter and Shark Encounter.

We also went to the new Elmo 4-D movie. k wasn't scared, but she didn't want to wear her 3-D glasses.

Our first show of the day was Shamu's "Believe". D got really excited about this one...he's still doing the Shamu "chant" at home!


For lunch we ate at the Calypso barbecue. We shared a sampler plate and a pint of milk between the three of us. It came with 2 ribs, 2 pieces of brisket, a sizeable piece of chicken, corn on the cob, biscuit, and fries. The food was surprisingly good, and not too bad at around $15, since we all ended up full.

After lunch we watched the Pets Rule! show ("Who let the dogs out?"), and the dolphin show. We also walked around a couple more aquarium exhibits. By this time, k was asleep in her stroller. On our way out we stopped at the ice cream place and ordered what was supposed to be two scoops in a waffle cone. We chose chocolate chip and chocolate, but it turned out to be more like two gigantic scoops of each kind! Again, not too bad for $4.


We left around 2:30 and felt like we had seen everything we wanted to see. The park is much easier to navigate than the zoo (smaller, stroller-friendly, relatively flat). All in all, a nice family outing, but I wouldn't have wanted to pay full price!

Too Much to Blog, Too Little Time

We're having a difficult time keeping up with our blog since so much is going on. We'll have to come back to k's birthday party later next week.


Christmas Eve we had my parents over for dinner. Nothing too fancy...the main dish was Corn Maiden tamales from Trader Joe's. Afterward we went to Christmas Eve service. k stayed quiet the entire time! (Probably because she was too tired to talk).

Look at the felt cupcake I made for my sister (who is a big cupcake fan) for Christmas:

I used the pattern from Fantastic Toys. D thought it was an ice cream cone.

Christmas morning we opened stocking stuffers first. Then we had breakfast: wake-up casserole, fruit salad and cranberry orange sticky buns. Afterward we opened some presents. k gets more excited about presents now, so it is fun to watch her reaction.

Cute puffer vest from her cousin.

Then we headed over to my parents house, where, yes, there were more presents for k. Considering her birthday was just four days prior, k had present overload. Here's k's Christmas present from my parents:

How cute is that? There's even a Mazda parked in the garage. There is a Caucasian family and an Asian American family co-habitating. :)

k gave us a good laugh by squatting on the miniature toilet. Here, she is turning on the the t.v.

Happy 2nd Birthday, k!

k turned two today and we had a birthday party for her at my parents' house. A LOT of preparation went on for the past couple of days. k didn't take a nap at all today since her party was in the afternoon. We left my parents' house at around 5 p.m., and by the time we arrived home, k was fast asleep!



She did wake up when D tried to put her in bed, though. Now, after taking a bath, playing with a few of her new toys, eating dinner, and brushing her teeth, she is fast asleep. D and I are pretty exhausted, too. Although, not as exhausted as the day she was born. :) Ironic that December 21st is the shortest day of the year.

Christmas Season in Full Swing

Friday: k and I went to a Junko concert for my moms' group and their children. I think k was tired because she was acting antsy. When Junko called the kids up on stage at the end, k just wanted to crawl. Hmm...



Saturday: We went to Cerritos mall and accomplished the vast majority of our Christmas shopping. I discovered a place in the food court called Dumpling Express that serves dim sum (and it tastes good!) There is also a Yogurtland. At night we went to our church's Christmas dinner/program.

Sunday: After church we went to a park near my parents' house where they brought in snow. We took a picture with Santa and k had her first taste of a candy cane.

(D put her shoes on the wrong feet).