First week of swim class

We enrolled the girls for eight weeks worth of swim classes and they had their first sessions this week. They have learned to blow bubbles, float on their backs and bellies, and use the arm motions for swimming. After only four days, I have seen significant improvement and look forward to seeing how they continue to progress.

Sophie's Tadpole class

Lydia's Polliwog class is right next to Sophie's, so it's convenient

Circle song time

Learning the motions

Lydia could swim by herself any day now

Belly floating like a starfish

Swimming like a tadpole

Lydia introducing her teacher to Sophie

Guro's Baby Shower

We drove to the valley today to attend Guro's first baby shower for her second child. They don't have baby showers in Norway, so this was a real treat for her. The animal-themed cupcake cake was adorable and delicious, and the hostess did a great job considering it was her first time hosting a baby shower. All the kids, and some adults, enjoyed the cool pool water during this hot summer day too! Congrats, Guro, we can't wait to meet your baby boy Julian!

Guro and the cake, both stinkin' adorable

Big sister Norah and Sophie playing with bubbles

Sophie eating her monkey cupcake piece by piece, starting with the ears

Bomb's away!

First dip in the pool this summer and loving it!

Guro and her presents...mine is the diaper cake, as usual. :)

Visiting Santa Monica

After six exhausting days, everyone took the day easy and chilled in Santa Monica. Jimmy's family met us at Jack n' Jill's for breakfast and then they walked the Promenade while I went home to print some labels to ship eBay packages. Next stop was the pier, which was crowded just like every other day. The day was hot, so the kids took a dip in the ocean and played in the sand for a bit. Soon, they started getting a bit restless, so we got some froyo at Santa Monica Place and two souffles (one was a mess-up) at the brand new Market. The girls and I even got to see something new today!

Jimmy, Cora, Jason, and Jocelyn


Checking out all the people on the beach



Running from the waves

She is naughty, but at least she is happy

The chocolate pretzel souffle which we had to wait 15 minutes for

Sophie in The Market

Pretzel dress

"Green" stools

Day 2 & 3 in the Bay Area

Tuesday late morning we went to visit my cousin Michelle at her new house. We enjoyed flan and checked out the quaint Sunnyvale home. Then after a delicious lunch at a Japanese restaurant, we visited an old family friend Jerry Yen's family. Jerry was one of Jimmy's groomsmen and our families have known each other for over 28 years.

Us with Michelle

See you later! Can't wait to find out the gender of your baby!

Jennifer, Preston, and Kara Yen

After the Yen visit, we dropped my parents off at my Aunt's place and everyone parted ways. Jimmy's family went to San Francisco to sight-see and visit a friend while Sophie and I went to San Jose and chilled with old Austin friends Bert and Judy. It was great catching up with them and experiencing Judy's awesome bridal couture.

The next morning, we all slept in and had brunch at an awesome dim-sum place. Then it was time to head home! After one too many stops, we pulled into an all-you-can-eat Korean restaurant in West LA and the minivan's check engine light came on. At least we made it back in one piece and had a nice little trip together.

Jason and Jocelyn watching in awe of all the Korean meat

Yosemite National Park

We woke up bright and early to take a day trip to Yosemite National Park. We arrived just before lunchtime and spent the afternoon admiring nature's beauty.

Sophie and I at one of the many waterfalls. Lydia had her last few days of school and Trung had to work, so they didn't come to the Bay area with us.

Sophie was captivated by the rushing water

Jason and Jocelyn

Cousins

Cora, Jocelyn, and very old trees

The lower falls

Upper and lower falls

Jimmy's family

Cora, Jocelyn, and Jason made it atop the very slippery rock; Sophie was very upset that she didn't get to go up. We cheered her up with a peach.

All smiles

Feeling the cool water

Father's Day 2011

We got to enjoy Father's Day with all the fathers in our family since everyone was still in town for Mike's wedding.

Newly married Mike tries to swing higher than niece Jocelyn

When Mom isn't around to push them, the girls find other ways of entertaining themselves

The girls loves the swings!

New sister-in-laws

The Lee fam

Brunch at The Coast Restaurant at Shutters Hotel

After brunch, we crammed eight people into our minivan and took a road trip to the Bay area. After a couple pit stops, we finally arrived at my Aunt's beautiful home in Fremont and were greeted by more relatives. We enjoyed a wonderful home-cooked meal followed by home-growned fruit from one of my aunt's 30 fruit trees.

Celebration at Aunt Sasha's place

Mike gets married!

After only a three month courtship and a six month engagement, my brother Mike married the love of his life, Minji, today. We are so happy for them and wish them a lifetime of happiness.

Lydia, the flowergirl

Sophie, Lydia's first mate

Our dressed-up family



Mike's wedding vows


Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lee!


The new "Lee" family


The wedding party

After wedding fun

Rehearsal

Almost everyone arrived a tad bit late for rehearsal at 4 PM this afternoon because traffic was awful, no surprise though, this is California. We ran through the program twice and Lydia did quite well. Too bad Jason, my nephew and the ringbearer, was not able to attend, or else it would have been better rehearsed. Dinner was at Sam Woo Chinese Restaurant where we dined on Peking duck, crab, lamb chops, and much much more. This is also my last official day on the diet, though it sure didn't seem like it at the rate I was inhaling the food.

Following instructions

Throwing imaginary petals

My flower girl!

The gals

The guys

Walking my Mom down the aisle

Sophie's turn to be the flowergirl


Tears of joy at dinner

Minji's Bachelorette Party

After picking up my parents from the airport at 2:30ish, we drove over to Mike's place for my parents to rest and for my Dad to try on his tuxedo. Then we had dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant with Aunt Monica, my Dad's sister and Mike's employer. Thankfully, we hit little traffic and were able to make it back home at a decent hour. From there, I left the kids with my parents (Trung had a farewell party to attend) and headed off to Hollywood for a night of fun. Please keep in mind that these pictures were filtered...many times. :P

Soonmee, one of Minji's bridemaids, and I really hit it off

The bride and her maid of honor, Sylvia

Minji, Mimi, and Stephanie...Oberlin friends