Serena celebrated another year. This time being a weekday, we decided to keep it simple and stay home but enjoy 6 different flavors of the finest Chinese Cakes money can buy. Also a bundle of roses were sent to Serena's office around 2 in the afternoon. Why do people send others flowers? That's right, to make them embarrassed in public. Serena doesn't get embarrassed often. It must be the International blood in her. She just doesn't fear what others think. But this time around, everytime her coworkers walked pass her desk, they all sung the usual Bday song causing the tough-Taiwan girl to blush all day.



Another year with the wife and I am so proud of all her accomplishments especially landing her Microdental job while multi-tasking all the daily routine with a family. My wife is an inspiration. She is not from this country and yet she has managed to get a degree, have a career, a family, and of course I'll leaving out the best part.. land the best lover she has ever had.. Okay seriously, and a great husband. I know there will be more great memories soon to come. "Silly-girl, I love you more each day."

Emma and the Birthday Girl share a quiet moment. Those that know us best, there are rarely a quiet moment in my family. Whenever Emma do listen, she is an absolute angel and most other times, we are chasing after her in Safeways trying to reason some peace so the other shoppers would stop whispering trash talk about us. Honestly, I could care less about what other people think. But there needs to be a limit where enough is enough. Discipline will follow after we get home. Oh, she knows that very well. Anyways, here is Emma resting in-between her huge cake-intakes.

During family parties, Serena and I are usually handed the job of the photographer. So, when it is our turn to "take the thunder", we rely on our good and trusted 3-legged friend; the tripod. Serena wants to take family portraits. Everytime we see other families dressed in matching outfits walking out of that one portrait store in Stoneridge, we always mention how nice it would be to have our pictures taken professionally. Then we are reminded of the many possibilities that may happen, if Emma decides to NOT take a picture. I don't make promises to anyone, I only make promises to my wife. We will take a family portrait soon.

This year we BBQ at home. Since we just moved not too long ago, why not use the brand-new grill just sitting on the balcony. We had chicken in a light pork-chop marinate which tasted just perfect and chunks of beef that were actually meant for beef-stew. Let me tell you, this was the first time using the wooden sticks and poking different color peppers. I had more fun prepping the food than actually cooking the food. It turned out so delicious, we decided to BBQ again the following day. Ask me about the "Special-Steak". I may have to cook that again very soon. Anyways, I love to BBQ. Not only is prepping the food an especially enjoyable task for myself, but it gives the wife a break from the kitchen. Serena loves to cook. We are a full service kitchen. When we moved last, we discovered that most of the boxes were just kitchen equipment. It's scary that more than half of the boxes packed were of some sort of kitchen supply. Okay back to my point, Serena loves to cook, but one thing that can drag her down is preparing Emma's lunch the next day. Having mac and cheese 3 days in a row is not a big deal since she likes cheese. But we have seen some of the lunches prepared by Emma's classmates mothers. They are full blown 6-course meals that just makes you look like Ronald McDonald. I just remember that these Dublin/Pleasanton wives probably do not work and just gets to stay home and take care of the kids. So what if Emma gets the same meal everyday. Nothing to worry about so long as she gets enough to eat continues to grow into her 3T clothing. Big and healthy.

Here you see the 6 different flavor of cakes. I bought this at the local Asian bakery on the way home from work. Each item were either $2.25 or $2.75. There were moose cakes to taro that I personally think is just awful and for-once Serena actually agreed with me on that. The moose cakes and mango filled lemon cake was just perfect. We enjoyed little bites and before you know it, Emma is bouncing off the wall laughing and singing and falling off her chair. Sugar is bad for babies..

I snuck this image in, because it was the same week. One of those Indian Summer evenings here in Dublin were at 9pm it still felt like 80 degrees. We decided to try the "swimming idea" once again. The first time Emma came out, she actually did alright. Emma basically enjoyed the first 2 steps, walking in and out of the water the entire time. It was hilarious because she was enjoyed seeing her footprints all over the concret ground. Which brings me to this last image, here she is doing that again. She wouldn't go in the water, just wanted to check-out her foot prints is good enough. Actually, I'm to blame on this one. I showed her this the first time out to the pool. I wonder when she will actually want to jump into the pool just to experience the water.. Well, 3rd times the charm they say.

Jem & Kevin, friends from our old Hayward apartment, came to visit us this pass weekend. Jem passed her nursing exam and will be starting work for Kaiser in the city very soon. Kevin has a degree from Devry University and works on NASA projects, basically things I cannot tell you about until you sign a waiver. Anyways the plan was to have Japanese for lunch but moments before they arrived, Emma fell asleep on the living room floor while Mama sang "Old McDonald". So it was Japanese to go bought at the best in Pleasanton, Meiko's on Santa Rita and Valley. We ate, we laughed, we walked the mall, stayed inside and enjoyed a laid back Sunday. Here, Jem and Emma share a rare moment of magic-marker-coloring. .

Kevin was hiding from the "Paparazzi", but I managed to snap a few without him knowing. Thanks for coming over eventhough it was well over 100 degrees and you both dressed in black. Next time bring your swimming trunks and we can all enjoy the massive pool here

My daughter has a big head, it runs in the family. Okay seriously, Emma is growing up so fast. I actually miss her when she was a baby. When her proportions were way off, big head, little body.. It's true what they say.. cherish everyday when they are younger b/c it just gets harder and harder and before you know it, their in high school dating and coming home at midnight.. I'm gonna go squeeze her now. Bye!

Last Sunday we attended the Alameda Sunday Service with the grandparents. It was a special day for my Nephew for he sung and recited Bible verses in the afternoon. As the kids gathered on stage, Emma followed and almost went on as-well. My Nephew is 10 yrs old, his name is Theo. He has grown so fast. I still remember when he was first born looking like a little alien, as most infants all look kinda strange entering dry land for the first time. Anyways, here is Theo singing or maybe lip-singing to one of the songs. You could see the lips moving but could not hear anything coming-out. Theo, if you ever want to get away with lip-singing, just repeat the word, "watermelon" throughout the entire song. Something Uncle picked-up from my years in the choir at Cono.

My parents, my family and Theo. This was taken right outside on the steps of the Alameda Community Center where the Sunday Service is every weekend. Notice how tall Theo is and perhaps Emma will follow and be taller than her mother one day. We trust and put our hope on the American produced milk of today. Must be the steroids they pump into the cows.

Emma at Starbucks enjoying a double-cold, no foam, no whip, all contained, all organic milk. It's funny Serena has trained our 1 year old to recognize the Starbucks logo and the signature green straw. So every time we go inside, I walk out with a handful of straws just incase the little thirsty monster throws a fit over what color straw she desires. Both our cars are filled with Starbucks green straws everywhere. How scary is that?

Every time we attend the Alameda Sunday Service, after lunch we walk to Emma's favorite toy store. Toy Safari is very unique. They purchase used and collectable toys and puts it back for sale. Let me just tell you, even a grown adult can wonder and be astounded by the amount of toys from childhood days of all generations hidden in this little store. Emma goes straight for the Thomas the Tank Engine toys while I loose myself in the 1st generation Transformers behind the glass shelf. All metal Optimus Prime = $150 dollars.

This toy store is absolutely amazing! If you are ever in Alameda, you have to stop by Toy Safari between Park Street and Central.


Toy Safari | 1410 Park St | (510) 522-1723

Yesterday we had the pleasure of attending the Pleasanton Fair at the Alameda Fairgrounds. Our good friends; Chris, Heather and baby Sydney (Loeper Family) were our guest the entire day. The weather was perfect as the kids played and ate corn dogs. At one of the outdoor games, Chris needed help to sink a basket so Sydney could bring home a giant basketball. Emma and Sydney ran around inside one of the halls as the parents took a break on a nearby bench. To our surprise, Boys II Men were on stage singing their greatest hits from the 90's. as Heather destroyed an entire half chicken and corn. (women can eat) Overall, the Fair exceeded our expectations. To be honest, it was a perfect Sunday afternoon to kick-back with the families and realize how much older we really are today. Thanks for being our guess Loeper family. We'll do swimming next.

Serena ate so much she could barely walk. Emma got a new Dora-Dora cup for the day.

Daddy and Emma share a moment right when we got to the fairgrounds. Not sure if you have noticed, but Emma rarely smile for pictures.

Auto Affair in Danville was again the host for the annual rare collector car show. Eventhough, the cars were fewer than previous years, people were there taking pictures of many high dollar machines. The wife and family were present this year relaxing to the beautiful weather and sipping an ice coffee. Look how much happier they are.. after the ice coffee.

Emma and Sydney were hand-and-hand stumbling around wondering what's the big deal with this parking lot full of cars.. I sometimes wonder what life is like through their eyes and tiny little fingers. Why do daddy keep forcing me to play with Hotwheels..?!?

Chris drives a Porsche Carrera 4S. His car was just one of many highly modified Porsches at hand. Besides a possible blown rear shock that makes driving the car a bit scary, all he really needs is a rear wing and a carbon fiber roof. Plus a Gemballa turbo kit pushing 600 whp @ 36 psi. Let's just hope Heather does not read this and find out how I encourage Chris to spend more $$$.

Silicon Valley brought out their many dealer cars. One that drew more attention than Toyota joining forces with Goodguys were the $1.7 million dollar car; the Bugatti Veyron. This was truly special since it was the first Veyron I have ever seen. Believe me when I say this car is a lot smaller than I thought, but beautiful and thought-out in every angle. It had a sign that read, "Almost sold.. waiting on buyer to pay."

The Ferrari club was present with some rarity old school right-hand-drive race cars. One silver F355 had single locking wheel spindles, definitely not stock. Besides the usual exotics, a familiar Mustang was getting quite a few looks as-well. This Mustang was the Gazette pick for the Summer Get-Together for Goodguys. Other cars included MG, Triumps, Mercedes, Bimmers, Scooby and one really bad Caddy coupe with Lambo doors and a flame job. Talk about not belonging. Thanks for the invitation Chris. Great cars and lots of fun!

Serena can really take great pictures. So much hidden talent in such a little Taiwan girl. So this is Emma at the Dublin Central Park, which we call "The Water-Park". It was a very hot day nearly 95+ degrees. We spent an afternoon in the shade under a tree while Emma ran around in her little cute dress eating shrimp chips and kicking a ball. Serena was rushing us to leave b/c she was not use to sitting on the grass while bugs crawled at our feet. City girls, gotta love them.