The Whittier Family 惠帝爾家

Car accident 被撞了.

2011-12-17T20:16:00.003-05:00

Kids and I were driving on the highway and stopped, as all cars in front of us did for the merge, then saw a car fast approaching us from the rear mirror. Boom! Realized that we just got hit and were shocked by the impact. I called Sean and informed him about the news and contacted 911. Then this guy came over and complained why did I stopped on the highway. I was very angry and told him that all cars in front of me were stopped, of course I had to stop.

We got out of the car and saw the traffic backed up from the scene, shivering from both the shock and the cold temperature and making sure that no more cars hit us as we stood outside unprotected. This guy called his friend and asked me where we were and on which highway, he even asked me to talk to his friend about what happened...I refused and said I want to wait until policeman arrived. Wondering why the police hasn't arrived when we need them, but always right there when you break the law.

2 ambulances stopped for 1 second and left us, I wondered how did they know that we didn't have anyone injured if they didn't even get out of the car to check. Anyways, the officer asked for my documents and came back asking me if I saw which guy got out of the driver seat? I was too shocked to pay attention to that. He said both guys were pointing at each other for driving the car, so one of them was lying and he had to figure that out. Turned out the driver / owner? didn't have driver license nor insurance and maybe be drunk, so one (or both? )got arrested in the scene. We were told to go home and the insurance company will take care of it.

Sean and a friend came to support me. We were able to drive the Prius home but was very sad that our new car got a big hit. Despite the scary experience and some future inconveniences, we are very thankful that none of us got injured. I am so touched that Xander told me that he already said a prayer for us. What a night!

You can tell that I must be o.k. otherwise I won't be sitting here and posting.

Lesson learned when you got involved in a car accident: always take a look of the driver and always have hand warmers in the car in the winter. Most importantly, always say a prayer when we have to travel on the road and be very cautious.

今天下午開車載小朋友在高速公路上時, 前面的車子都停下來, 所以我也停下. 突然從後視鏡看到後面的車子很快的朝我前進. 果然, 我們被撞了. 撞擊力好強, 傑升被嚇哭了, 煒勳也是愣了一下. 我從後視鏡看到這台車的前面扁的很慘, 我先打電話跟老公報備, 請他趕來現場又打電話報警. 駕駛者是一個黑人, 他過來用抱怨的口氣說我為什麼在高速公路上停車. 我沒好氣的說前面的車都停了, 我當然要停下來! 我和小朋友們走到路旁等警察來做報告. 我一直發抖. 一方面是還在驚嚇當中, 一方面是外面好冷. 還好小朋友們都有帶外套出來. 那駕駛者打電話給他朋友, 然後問我我們在那裡和那條高速公路, 他竟然還叫我跟他朋友解釋發生情形. 我拒絶了他, 說我要等警察來再說. 誰知道他是不是要叫他朋友順便錄音還是有的沒有的..

警察來了後跟我要了證件, 過了會又來問我有沒有看到哪個人從駕駛座走出來? 因為兩個人都互指對方才是駕駛者, 我說我當時嚇呆了沒有仔細看誰先下車. 警察說這兩人互指, 有一個人是說謊的, 所以他會去調查. 後來警察給了我張名片, 說保險公司會處理. 我說那對方呢? 他說駕駛者沒有駕照也沒有保險, 而且好像喝醉酒, 所以他要當場逮捕他, 也不知道是抓一個還是二個都抓.

在附近的一個朋友趕來現場, 老公隨後也趕到. 我們決定把車子開回去等星期一再修. 老公說可以想像當時的衝擊力很強因為連roof的天花板都被撞開了. 車子的屁股是一定要修, 車後門關不起來. 希望我們到時可以修好而不用重新買車. 回家的路上我也跟小朋友們解釋, 為什麼要綁安全帶和買保險. 很幸運的, 我們都沒有受傷. 真是不幸中的大幸.

Khai's birthday 2011 煒勳7 歲生日

2011-03-31T09:39:00.004-04:00

It had been more than 8 months since we updated our blog. Let's start with Khai's birthday that took place 2 days ago.
好久沒有更新網頁了. 先從2 天前煒勳的生日說起吧!

There are 28 kids in Khai's class this year, we decided to make this cup cake since Easter is right on the corner.
今年煒勳的班上有28個小朋友. 我們做了這個復活節的小蛋糕. 上面的草也可以吃哦!

We usually bought birthday cakes from stores or made a simple rectengle cake, but this year I thought I will try this pirate ship cake. It was fun to decorate the cake. Can't wait to see boys' expression! On the left: Capt Khai (in case you can't tell what they are)
這是媽媽我第一次做這種蛋糕. 以前最多只是做一個長方形或圓形的蛋糕上面塗奶油. 鄰居幫我找到這個圖型及教你如何做切, 還蠻簡單, 蠻好玩的.等不及看小朋友們的表情. 左邊那邊用巧克力糖寫"煒勳船長"

The class sang him happy birthday, and Khai was so shy. Can you see his face was red? He looked at the floor the whole time during the song.
老師叫煒勳到前面去, 小朋友唱生日快樂歌, 他很不好意思, 有沒有看到他的臉都紅了.

One of his good friend helped passing out the cup cakes. Kids were amazed at the cakes.
一位煒勳的好朋友發衛生紙, 另一位幫忙端盤子, 煒勳分蛋糕給同學吃.

Kids were waiting for Khai to take the first bit. They were excited to eat the grass.
我好訝異全班小朋友都很有禮貌的等煒勳吃第一口. 小朋友們很興奮的吃上面的草及巧克力蛋.

Opening presents. Xander gave him a Ninja lego set.
傑升送煒勳忍者樂高積木.

Nurf guns. Khai was very excited about it.
2人份的玩具槍. 煒勳樂壞了.

Do you think Khai like his toy?
迫不及待的開始玩新的玩具槍.

Khai chose this restaurant for pizza because the booth has TV.
煒勳想吃披薩, 重點是座子上有電視啦.

Blowing candles.
吹蠟燭.

Happy Birthday Khai.
煒勳有非常快樂的一天.

February 2011

2011-03-31T08:30:00.000-04:00

Xander learned how to play basketball this year at school. He tried very hard and had lots of fun.
傑升第一次學打籃球. 他很認真的學, 覺得籃球很好玩.

The game is about to start. 要開始比賽囉.

Very proud of his trophy. 得到了一面奬牌, 好高興呀.

Pnewood Derby

Xander designed the car and Sean helped him cut the wood. They sanded the car together and sprayed the paint. We like the rain drops on the car. DD stands for "Dirty Devil", named by Xander.
今年傑升自己設計車型, 爸爸幫他切木頭, 然後2人一起噴漆. 我們很喜歡車上的雨滴.

Ready to race. 準備開跑囉!

Fnished line. 終點站.

December 2010

2011-03-31T08:21:00.000-04:00

This year had been an expensive home repairing projects for the Whittier household. We replaced our roof in September and then found out that we had to replace the furnace in December. Unlike the roof that could be waitied for couple years to be replaced, we need the heater in the cold winter, so we decided to replace the furnace immediately. 今年對我們家來講是最貴的家裡維修費的一年. 九月才剛換新屋頂, 結果在12月時發現我們必須換暖氣機. 如果不趕快換的話, 一氧化碳很可能會漏出而從此一覺不起. Old furnace in metal pipes that keep about 75% of the heat. 舊的暖氣機是用鐵管連接的, 所以只能保存75% 的熱氣. The new furnace will pump in fresh air from outside and is connected with PVC pipes that will keep 95% of the heat. We noticed that our house is warmer and fresher after the furnace is installed. 新的暖氣機是用塑膠管連接的, 所以可以保存95% 的熱氣. 而且可以從外面抽新鮮的空氣, 裝好之後我們當晚就發垷新的暖氣機真的比較暖和, 家裡空氣也比較新鮮. I found some clementines in the store the day before the installation. My family loves Mandarin Oranges so I thought I will try to can some clementines while the workers are working on the furnace. 在店裡看到這些橘子, 想說沒有試過用這種橘子做罐頭, 買來試試看吧! 趁工人在安裝暖氣機時我在廚房裡做罐頭. I made about 15 quarts of them in light syrup, tasted them the next day very excitly. Result: NASTY and BITTER. I threw away all of them and reminded myself not to can them again in the future. What a waste of time and money. Note: the picture looks so pretty though. 我做了大約15罐的罐頭, 隔天很興奮的嚐試看看. 哇!! 好苦好難吃哦. 家人們也不喜歡吃, 所以只好把它們全部都倒掉並提醒自己以後不要再做這種橘子罐頭了. 真是浪費金錢和時間. Christmas time 聖誕節 Khai's class swabing books. 煒勳班上交換書. Xander's class rotating toys. 傑升班上交換玩具. Xander made and painted this belt hanger for Sean at cub scout. 傑升在幼童軍上做了這個領帶掛勾, 他自己塗的哦! Khai had been asking for a radio for a long time, so he can listen to books on CD. And best of all, it looks like a giant lego. 煒勳一直想要一台收音機, 所以他可以聽音樂和聽書. 最酷的是看起來就像一塊大樂高積木. Pei-I got a new pair of slippers, picked by herself. 我每天都穿拖鞋, 所以挑了一雙很暖和又舒服的室內拖鞋. Xander is taking a ping pong class and has to borrow the paddle from the teacher every time, so Khai bought him this. 傑升在上桌球課, 每次上課都要跟老師借球拍. 所以今年煒勳送他球拍. Khai made this at school and he was very proud of it. 煒勳在學校做的. 很可愛的圖案. Presents from aunti Chris. 謝謝妙真阿姨的禮物. 1000 pcs of army legos. Thank you grandpa and grandma. 爺爺奶奶送的1000片積木.

Replacing our roof 修屋頂

2010-08-11T13:24:00.002-04:00

Closer look of the shangles, pretty bad huh?? 近距離看我們的屋頂. 瓦片都被曬的蹺起來了.

Rip off the shangles. 把舊的瓦片先剷掉.

Now the back is clear. 後面的剷好了.

This big truck loaded new shangles onto the roof. 大卡車用吊手把新瓦片吊到屋頂上.

Part of the new shangles. 舖上新瓦片.

Watching a puppy whose owners were out of town for a week. Boys love her.
朋友要出去玩一個禮拜, 所以我們幫他們看狗. 小朋友們對小狗照顧得很周到.

Our new roof from the front. 從前面看新屋頂.

The new roof from the back. 從後面看新屋頂.

Visit Historic Kirtland 參觀教會聖地之一

2010-08-11T12:44:00.004-04:00

Living in MI, we are 3.5 hours away from Kirtland and 8 hours away from Nauvoo. Sean had been so busy with his new church calling, so we decided to take a quick vacaton visiting Kirtland and giving Sean more time with boys before school starts.
住在密西根, 我們只有3.5個小時和8個小時車程去2個不同的有名聖會聖地.想說趁著還沒開學前, 我們趕快找一個週末去參觀離我們3.5個小時的聖地.

Following the tour guide to see the water mill. 以前的教徒用水力來鋸木頭

It was fun listening to the mill truning.
就是這個會隨著水而一直轉動且啓動鋸子. 聽它轉動的聲音很舒服.

Learning how the saints using this big stove to creat many job opportunities.
以前的教徒可以生產一些媒礦產品並提供了很多就業機會.

My grandma used to have a stove just like this, except smaller.
記得我家阿嬤也有一個類似的炉爐, 只是比較小一點.

Joseph Smith drove their sleigh and entered the front door saying: ‘You’ve prayed me here, now what do you want of me?’

http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1835-1-1-1,00.html

這個雜貨店在當時是很熱鬧的一個地方, 很多人在這買東西. 先知從別的地方搬到這裡, 這雜貨店是他的第一個停站點. 後來變成教會的重要聚點之一.

The storage room. 儲藏室.

Upstairs of the store. These table and chairs belong to Joseph Smith, they were original.
這是先知的桌椅. 是原品,不是仿製品哦.

Joseph Smith stepped on this rock and gave talks to hundreds of people at John Johnson Farm.
先知以前就是站在這塊石頭上傳教.

Big kitchen used to serve the prophet and family. 這個廚房在當時算是很豪華.

Playing on the big rock while parents talking to the missionaries.
小朋友們趁父母和傳教士聊天時爬上大石頭.

Last 2 weeks in June 2010 六月的最後2個星期

2010-08-07T14:08:00.003-04:00

Few things that we did in the last 2 weeks of June:
六月的最後2個禮拜做了些事:

Pei-I had her hair permed: It was more than 15 years ago since I had the hair perm, so my new hair became straight 2 days after the work. I went back to the salon and asked them to redo it without charging. It became much curlier but not as curly as I would like.

我燙頭髮了. 回想上次燙頭髮好像是10幾年前的事了. 所以頭髮剛燙了2天就已經直了. 回去髮廊再重新補燙. 有比較好了可以還是不是很捲.

Before the perm. 燙頭髮前.

After the perm. 燙頭髮後.

Time to fly back to the State. It was sad leaving my family and all the yummy food, but we were ready to go back home and be independent again.

時間過的好快, 一轉眼我們又要回美國了. 很拾不得離開家人及許多美食, 可是我們已經準備好要回家再過獨立的生活了.

It was dark and cloudy before boarding. 搭機前外面烏雲密布.

Going home to see Sean soon. 回家去找爸爸囉.

Discovered tadpoles on the top of the swim pool cover while showing off the pool to our family in Taiwan. Sean was laughing when I showed him our new discovery. Actions of rescuing these tadpoles were taken: cleaned the fish tank, caught them and placed in the tank, fed them and released them in the lake (twice). Of course we also rescued and buried some when we used hoses to sucked out water from the cover. I think there were at least 200 tadpoles in our cover.

Caught them. 抓到了.

Before releasing them. 要放生囉.

Have a good life and don't let fish eat you. 小心不要被小鳥或大魚吃掉囉.

回家後馬上跟家人視訊報平安並秀游泳池, 突然發現有黑黑的東西還會游. 蝦米, 我們的泳池蓋子上竟然有成千上百的蝌蚪. 哇, 在這個家裡住了五年這還是第一次發現泳池上有蝌蚪. 我們用魚網盡量把蝌蚪撈起來並放進重見陽光的魚缸裡. 趕快去超市買魚飾料來餵它們. 接著帶蝌蚪去河裡放生. 我們總共去了2次. 用水管把蓋子上的水吸出來時發現有些蝌蚪算一算

Japanese restaurant and beach playing 吃日本料理和去墾丁玩.

2010-07-29T21:25:00.004-04:00

Sean's flight was on Saturday, so boys and I took him to the airport and said goodbye. Xander was so sad right after Sean walked into the gate but Khai comforted Xander saying "we'll see daddy again in 14 days". We took the bullet train home and met my sister at the station. She took us to a Japanese restaurant right inside the train station that had dishes passing by on a belt. Every dish costs about US $1 each and they were so yummy. Kids had fun seeing food passing by but we warmed them that they cannot touch every dish and had to pick big dish that will stuff their tummy.

肖恩的班機是禮拜六, 我和小朋友們送他去桃園機場. 哥哥一看到爸爸出關就突然眼淚掉了下來說他好想爸爸而弟弟則是一臉很無愁的說再10多天就可以看到爸爸了. 大姐說要去車站接我們回來順便在車站的日本餐廳吃晚餐. 哇, 這裡的料理每盤都是30元放在轉盤上轉. 小朋友們拿東西拿的很高興, 我叫他們要拿大盤一點的或是較可以填飽肚子的, 不要拿一小盤沒幾樣東西. 我們吃旳很高興.

Wow, there are so many yummy dishes. Which one shall I pick?
好多好好吃的菜哦, 要挑那一盤?

Xander is eating raw shrimps. 傑升在吃生蝦子.

My sister, Chris, discovered a place at Ken-Ting last year that was unknown to the public, so her family drove 2 hours to show us this place. Unlike having tons of tourists on the other side of the beach, this area had only few people and scuba diving trainers near by. Kids enjoyed playing water and discovering creatures.

大姐去年在墾丁找到了一個很少人知道的海灘, 這次他們全家開了2個多小時的車帶我們去墾丁玩. 的確這邊是很少人, 水又淺,所以小朋友可以盡情的玩水.

Oh no, my slipper.. 呀, 我的拖鞋漂走了.

Nice view

Clips from our mini vacation

2010-07-20T11:16:00.002-04:00

We saw beautiful views from our hotel patio, it was a breath taking scene.

We sampled lots of grapes that just picked from the vine.

Dragon Boat Festival

2010-07-15T20:06:00.006-04:00

,

There are several traditions on the day of Dragon Boat Festival: eat rice dumplings, sitting up eggs and watching dragon boat racing. Sean went home several days prior to the Dragon Boat Festival, so he didn't get to experience that. It was a very hot day, and we all went out to the hallway at noon and sitting up the eggs. It was hard and took patience to do that, but kids had so much fun doing that with family and were so proud of sitting up the eggs. Of course Khai cracked one egg.

端午節這天傳統要吃粽子, 掛香包, 立雞蛋和看龍舟競賽. 今年剛好我們回台灣有碰到端午節(可惜肖恩提早了幾天回去而沒有碰上), 所以為娘的我當然要很用力的吃好多粽子. 中午時大姐叫大家到外面去立雞蛋. 我和大姐為了要讓小朋友們有特別的記憶,所以我們作弊, 找了地上有洞的地方開始立雞蛋然後秀給小朋友們看. 看小朋友們凝心聚神的立雞蛋實在很有趣. 後來小朋友們不小心打破了幾顆蛋. 碎碎平安.

Khai worked very hard. 煒勳很認真的在試.

Yes, I made it. 我立起來了耶!

We got it too. It was very hot outside, you can feel that by looking at Xander's face.
哥哥和小黑寶寶也立起來了. 那天中午時好熱哦, 看哥哥的表情就知道.

My sister Chris took us to see the dragon boat racing in the evening. It used to held at noon, but they changed to evening due to the hot weather. It was hard to find a good spot to see the boats, but boys had lots of fun cheering for everyone.

我姐特地載我們去看划龍舟. 怕太靠近時會大塞車所以我們車子停在大老遠的地方徒步去看. 晚上看划龍舟的確是涼快多了. 小朋友們第一次看划龍舟覺得很有趣. 後來實在是太熱了所以我們就打道回府了. 我也不記得上次現在看划龍舟是什麼時候了...

Rock Path 健康步道

2010-07-15T19:48:00.002-04:00

We visited my aunt and Sean took boys to the elementary right next to her house. The rock path will simulate the pressure points on your feet and suppose is good for your health, but that hurts a lot. You can tell by looking at Khai's expression.
拜訪完大姑時小朋友在旁邊的國小玩. 看到這張相片覺得很好笑. 煒勳走在石頭步道上而腳一定很痛,可是他的表情實在是太好笑了, 一定要放上來讓大家笑一下

Mini Vacation 清境農埸 Part 2

2010-07-08T20:50:00.002-04:00

We visited a paper factory, had a tour learing about how papers were made. We even made our own paper fan. It was really fun. 參觀紙廠, 觀看紙的製作過程並且親自製作紙搧.

Sean wanted to make one and take that to his office. 肖思也來做一個可以帶到辦公室去秀.

Working hard. 學作搧好好玩.

d
Finished product. 作好了.

We meet Pei-I's family at a family owned hotel. It was a family reunion + vacation for the Lee family. It was nice that we can get together and enjoy the nature. kids got to know their cousins better and had fun looking for beetles.
我們和其他家人在埔里碰面. 這可是十幾年來我們全家總動員一起出來玩呢. 山上的空氣很好, 大家慢慢的散步並找獨角仙.

Deep fried bumblebee. Everything tasted good when you deep fried it. Khai ate more than 20 of them, we forgot to take the picture of him eating it. Xander wouldn't even try it.
炸烽蛹. 還不錯. 煒勳吃了20幾隻, 傑升卻一隻也不試.

Nice view, but the entrance fees were too expensive, so we just took pictures.
很漂亮的地方, 可是門票太貴了. 在此拍張相就好了.

Had a boat ride with the Lee family in the Sun Moon Lake. The boat took us to different spots along the island. It was fun hanging out with my family. My dad said he took a boat ride 14 years ago on this lake. There were many tourists from Mainland China.
大家能夠排除萬難一起出來遊玩真的很特別. 問爸爸多久前在這乘船, 他說:14年前. 在澄清湖乘船. 遊艇帶我們到幾個定點去玩, 風景很漂亮, 美中不足的是到處都是大陸客, 人擠人, 連上個廁所也要插隊.

Xander the snake. 屬蛇的傑升

Khai the monkey 屬猴的煒勳

My sister, Chris, has a friend who has a grape farm. We tasted the grapes that were picked right in front of us and were able to pick some as well. It was a very neat experience.
我姐夫的朋友有個葡萄園, 所以親愛的阿嬤就採了新鮮的葡萄讓我們嚐試並讓我們現採一些葡萄.

It was fun looking for right grapes to pick. 找熟的葡萄.

This had been a great mini vacation for us, thank you everyone for making it happen. We are so lucky having such nice family.
好好玩的一趟旅行, 謝謝大家排除萬難和我們一起來共享這難得的經驗. 沒有了你們的參與, 這趙旅遊就沒有那麼特別了. 感恩哦.

Mini vacation 清境農場 part 1

2010-07-01T20:05:00.010-04:00

We took a 4-day vacation to visit Cingjing Farm, which locates in the middle of Taiwan, with my sister and her family. The farm is 1,750 meters above the sea and when we arrived the hotel, we were amazed by the breath taking scenery. Many white clouds were among the mountains and it was so quiet. You need to be here to see it.

Beautiful view from our hotel 從房間照出去的景色

Enjoyed the view. 很漂亮的風景

One of the highlight of the hotel is this beautiful Asian bathtub. It's a new experience of enjoying the hot bath while watching the beautiful views. 這家旅館最大的特點就是這個迷人的浴缸了. 泡澡時看著美麗旳景色, 真的是人生一大享受

Boys enjoy the bathtub. 泡澡好好玩哦.

Let's take a picture on this comfortable bed. 好舒服的大床.

Nice weather, beautiful view. 在青青草原旁照張相

Visiting the bee farm and tasted pure honey. Yum. 參觀蜂蜜場並嚐試新鮮的蜂蜜

The hightest point of Ho-Huan Mountain. It was scary driving on the narrow and curvy mountain roads and past cars from opposite direction. Chris did a fantastic job of driving the van. I know I couldn't do it. It started raining and thick fog appeared right after we took this shoot. We barely can see the road, so decided to go back to hotel.

武嶺是合歡山的最高峰. 可是開了彎彎曲曲的山路上山真的很可怕, 有時還要在很窄的地方會車.幸好大姐小心慢慢的駕駛車子, 我們才能平安到達最高峰. 照了這張相後開始下雨並且有濃霧, 路上幾乎都看不清楚. 為了安全起見, 我們決定回旅館休息.

Can you see the fog? 濃霧.

We decided to get out of the mountain because we couldn't see anything for 2 days due to the thick fog. The weather turned clear at the bottom of the mountain. We saw a waterfall and decided to park the car and take a walk. It was a nice and relax walk.
由於這2天在高山上都是濃霧, 所以我們決定早點下山. 一下山天氣就晴朗了. 看到一條瀑布決定去走走. 窩了2天覺得這樣走走看看好開心.

After a long hike, we were so thirsty. I could use some water. 哇, 好口渴哦.

Put our feet in the stream, the water feel so good. 冰涼的水好舒服.

More to come...... 請待續......

Street Venders 逛市場

2010-06-21T22:33:00.003-04:00

We had jetlets at the first few days, so we woke up around 6 am and decided to eat breakfast and looked around the wet markets.
因為有時差所以很早就起床了. 趁太陽還沒出來趕快去吃早餐並逛菜市場吧.

好吃的早餐 Yummy breakfast.

Taiwanese breakfast noodles. 早餐

It's hard to eat noodles with fork. 煒勳在吃noodles

Ther are many different vendors at the wet market in the morning. Many people who never saw Americans before would stared at us with big eyes. Sean is used to that and enjoys surpriing them with few Chinese greetings.
吃完早餐去逛菜市場. 很多沒看過外國人的鄉親們常常會瞪著大眼, 下巴掉下的看著我們. 肖恩早就習慣了, 他喜歡用幾句中文問候他們並看他們驚嚇的表情.

The pineapples here in Taiwan are much sweeter than the States.
台灣的鳯梨比美國的好吃太多了, 又好香.

Durions are smelly to foreigners but are yummy to Taiwanese.榴槤對外國人來說很臭, 可是會吃的人都說很好吃.

Fresh bamboo roots 新鮮的筍子.

There are many cheap and yummy food vendors in Taiwan so many Taiwanese eat out. My family took us to this seafood restaurant that has lots of fresh seafood for you to pick. The food were very delicious and fresh.
台灣有很多賣吃的小攤所以很多人都外食. 家人帶我們來這家海產餐廳吃飯. 有很多新鮮的海產供我們選擇.

Xander's 1st Spellingbee Contest @ WPA 2010

2010-06-03T06:45:00.004-04:00

One day Xander came home showing me a certificates stated that he was the champion of the spellingbee in his class and was going to present his class to attend the schoolwide spellingbee contest.

有一天傑升回家後給我一張紙, 上面竟然寫著傑升是他們班的拚音冠軍, 然後隔幾天要代表他們班去參加校際拚音比賽..

Xander did pretty well for few rounds, but then made a mistake and got disqualified with a very good attitude. We were very proud of him. Xander said he would like to attend the contest again next year.

前幾輪很簡單, 傑升也都拚對了.可是後來拚錯了一個字所以被淘汱了. 傑升沒有哭鬧, 反而很有風度的一鞠躬笑笑的下台. 大家都給他鼓勵的掌聲. 雖然只參加了短短的幾輪,可是傑升說他明年還要再來參加拚音比賽. 我就趁機跟他說那就平常時就要多練習拚音.

Mother's Day 2010 母親節快樂.

2010-05-11T20:59:00.005-04:00

There are 2 holidays that I have excuse don't need to do dishes or cooking yearly: Mother's Day and my birthday. This year on Mother's Day, Xander woke up early and made us Xander's famous scramble eggs + toasts with apple juice. He even cleaned the dishes. We've been trying cooking breakfast several times and today I can mark off this assignment from his cub scout requirements.

At church, all sisters received a flower at the end of the sacrament and even a strawberry pond cake at the end of the meeting. We sure got special treatments this day.

每年有2個節日我有正當的理由不用煮飯及洗碗: 母親節和我的生日. 今年母親節較特別的是傑升幫我做早餐. 因為他參加了幼童軍, 其中一個要求項目是幫家人準備一頓飯及整理碗盤. 我們已經練習了很多次, 所以今天我幫他把東西都拿出來, 他就自己打蛋及煮蛋. 煮的很好吃呢.他也慢慢的把髒盤子沖乾淨放進洗碗機裡.好感動哦. 嗯,這項要求過關.

在教會時, 每個成年的女士都收到一朵花, 而在最後的15分鐘男士們還招待我們吃草莓蛋糕. 真是皇后般的享受.

Boys BBQ some baby back ribs, made cole slow and creamy potato salad. Dinner was great and Khai volunteered to clean the dishes. The royal treatments will be disappered after mid night. Happy Mother's Day.

當我午睡時, 肖恩和小朋友們準備了生菜沙拉, 馬鈴薯泥和烤肋排. 我們吃的好高興. 煒勳飯後幫我們洗碗. 女王般的待遇將於午夜12點消失. 祝大家母親節快樂.

Khai helped washing dishes after dinner.

Easter 2010 videos 復活節影片

2010-05-11T20:56:00.003-04:00

I forgot that we have videos. 忘記我還有影片.

Khai was very happy finding eggs this year.
弟弟今年開開心心的找蛋.

Where is the egg?
找不到蛋?

Chinese school speech contest

2010-05-10T11:06:00.004-04:00

This year Xander and Khai worked very hard as usual for the speech contest. Xander designed his own speech and gestures. I helped Khai with his content but was surprised to find out that he still remembers the colors in Chinese several weeks after the contest. Both boys had worked very hard although they didn't win any trophies, but we are still very proud of them.

今年的中文演講比賽, 兄弟倆照例還是很認真的練習. 傑升自己編稿及想動作. 我則必須幫煒勳想內容,可是煒勳也有幫忙加點子. 比賽當天,傑升那組的小朋友實力實在太強了, 所以他沒有拿到大奬杯. 可是他們都盡力了,這樣就夠了. 那弟弟講旳是顏色, 可是我發現幾個禮拜後他竟然還記得顏色.(以前講中文時,他都搞不清楚什麼是什麼顏色.) 所以每次比賽小朋友都有進步, 請掌聲鼓勵.

Xander's topic: Crab looks for a new home.

"Crab is looking for a new home. He found a big house but a shark came out and warned him to leave. The crab found a medium house but a big fish came out threatening to smash him into crab meat. The crab then found a small house but a school of small fish came out and claimed that it's their property. The crab finally found a house that suits him and had many babies later."

傑升的題目:螃蟹找新家.

Khai's topic: Colors.

" My hair is black, my eyes are black, my lips are red, my teeth are white, my shirt is green and my pants are blue. I can watch traffic lights. I stop at red lights, walk on green lights and be cautious at yellow lights. I like blue because it makes me feel so comfortable."

煒勳的題目: 顏色.
"我的頭髮是黑色, 我的眼睛是黑色, 我的嘴吧是紅色, 我的牙齒是白色. 我的衣服是綠色, 我的褲子是藍色. 我會看紅綠燈. 紅燈的時候要停,綠燈的時候要走. 黃燈的時候要左看右看. 我最喜歡的顏色是藍色因為我覺得好舒服."

A fun day at friend's house 好玩的一天

2010-04-27T21:27:00.002-04:00

We had a church member who works for the YMCA and was able to arrange a horseback riding for his son's birthday. Both boys were invited to this party. Both boys were being very polite and very brave, that was their first time riding a grown up horse. They had a really good time.

我們有一個教友在YMCA工作而他們就住在YMCA的隔壁.所以朋友的兒子生日時, 這個小朋友可以邀請幾位朋友到YMCA去騎馬. 我們家2個小朋友和他們家2個男生常常一起玩, 所以就受邀去騎馬.我們的朋友在那牽著馬帶小朋友繞2圈. 這是小朋友們第一次騎大馬所以他們很興奮. 很難得的一天.

First time riding the big horse.
第一次騎大馬吔!

Getting ready to jump on the horse.
準備要騎馬囉!

You say "woo" to instruct the horse to stop.
要馬停時就說"嗚"

Easter 2010 復活節找蛋去.

2010-04-23T23:25:00.002-04:00

This year we decided to let Xander hide Khai's eggs. He was having so much fun doing that. While Khai was getting ready, Sean hurried went outside and hid Xander's eggs.

This is a easy spot.
這個地方很容易看到蛋的.

Almost done.
快要好了.

It's very rare that Khai wasn't whining about egg hunting this year.
今年好特別哦, 弟弟竟然在找蛋時都沒有發起床氣吔!

I found lots of eggs.
我找到好多蛋吔!

Can you find the hidden eggs?
你可以找到蛋嗎?

Xander couldn't resist the candies anymore.
哥哥等不及了, 已經開始吃糖果了.

Flower from our garden. Spring is here.
我們花園裡的花. 春天來了.

Khai's surprise party

2010-04-23T22:54:00.008-04:00

We threw Xander a birthday party when he was 6 years old. This year Khai turned 6 and of course we can't skip throwing him a party; otherwise he'll ask why we didn't love him in the future. So we asked who would he like to invite, but we told him that most of his friends couldn't make it. We were going to give Khai a surprise party.

Sean took Khai to pick up his birthday cake in the morning, Xander and I hurried went to the pizza place and set up the party. When Khai came in, he was surprised that his friends were there. The expression on his face was priceless, but I used our old camera that day, so you couldn't even see anything. What a bummer.

哥哥6歲的時候我們幫他辦了一個生日會. 今年弟弟也快6歲了, 為了不讓弟弟長大後問我們為什麼不愛他, 沒幫他辦生日會, 所以我們也幫他準備了一個驚奇生日會. 問了弟弟想要邀請那些朋友, 然後我們騙他大部份的朋友沒辦法來.

結果生日當天, 爸爸帶弟弟出去拿生日蛋糕, 我和哥哥馬上到生日會現場去佈置. 哥哥真的長大了, 沒有吃弟弟的醋, 很盡責的幫忙佈置會場. 很快地朋友們到了, 和爸爸約定好的時間到了,瞄到弟弟要進來了. 小朋友們等到弟弟一進門時就喊" surprise" . 弟弟很意外, 沒有想到他的朋友都到了. 可惜我們用舊的相機拍這過程, 根本就看不到影象, 不過還是可以聽到聲音.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_embed.gne?id=4547322588 (Please visit this link 請到這個網頁來看)

Xander is being a great big brother and a great helper.
傑升是個好幫手,幫忙佈置會場.

Baba, what is this? Everyone is here.
爸爸, 怎麼大家都在這裡呀?

Concentrate on hitting the sharks.
專心的打鯊魚.

My sweet boys.
3個童心未泯的小男生.

I get to keep the cars on the top of this cake.
蛋糕上面的車子我可以留下吔.

Khai loves lego.
弟弟喜歡積木.

This bag sings. Listen.
你聽! 這個袋子會唱歌哦.

For the actual birthday, we just stayed home, had dinner and then Khai opened his presents.
生日當天, 我們在家吃完飯, 弟弟開禮物.

Khai wants to be a yoyo master when he grows up, so he got this light up yoyo on his birthday from mom.

弟弟長大後想要當扯鈴老師, 所以他現在很認真的學習拉扯鈴. 媽媽我幫他買了一個會變顏色的扯鈴.

Khai & bandages 煒勳和O.K.繃

2010-03-18T09:26:00.003-04:00

Khai is a clumsy boy, he usually has bruises or scratches without knowing it. Whenever he sees a small scratch or big cut, a band-aid can stop the crying / pain instantly. He LOVES band-aid. We used to insit that no band-aids would be giving unless he was bleeding, but when we saw that they make Khai so happy, we gave in. Since then, I started carrying band-aids in my purse just in case we need one.

Our band-aid supplies were running low (you can guess who usually uses them) the other day, so I picked up the Snoopy and Action Hero band-aids. Xander came home that afternoon and showed me the scratch on his hand, so I put on an Iron Man band-aid on him after the shower.

When kids were eating breakfast the next morning, Khai saw Xander's new band-aid and asked "Where did you get the Iron Man band-aid?" Xander: "Mama gave that to me last night." I saw Khai started looking at his hands and leggs and found no scratch, then he went :" Mama, Sasha (our cat) bit me last night". Nice try, Khai.

煒勳是個手腳不大靈活的小男孩, 身上常常會有烏青或是小擦傷,有時走路時不注意也會受傷. 偏偏他又很愛貼O.K.繃,只要一貼上 O.K.繃, 小擦傷馬上就不痛了(他通常都會很快樂的說” 我自己去貼O.K.繃哦!” 我們本來都堅持要流血才能貼O.K.繃, 可是看到他為了一個小小的O.K.繃就可以那麼快樂也就隨他去了). 所以媽媽我呢開始在皮包裡放些O.K.繃以備不時之需.

我們的O.K.繃快要沒了(你猜也知道大部份都是被誰用掉的.)所以去店裡買了包史奴比和卡通英雄的O.K.繃. 當天下午哥哥回家時就告訴我他在學校時受傷了. 晚上洗完澡我給哥哥貼了一個鐵人的O.K.繃. 隔天當小朋友們吃早餐時, 煒勳看到哥哥的O.K.繃問: “你怎麼會有鐵人的O.K.繃?” 哥哥說: “昨晚媽媽幫我貼的”. 這時我看到煒勳很興奮的開始看了他的手和腳, 沒有擦痕, 他突發奇想的說” 我們的貓昨晚咬我” 希望我可以也給他一個新貼紙. 媽媽我當然是沒有給他囉. 當我說給老公聽時他也笑了. 看來家裡一定三不五時就要準備一些O.K.繃, 尤其是有卡通圖案的.

Khai lost his 1st tooth on 5/5/10 煒勳的第一顆牙齒

2010-03-10T09:43:00.003-05:00

Khai's tooth had been loose for several weeks and while we drove to Chinese School last week, he was eating chips in the car and told me his tooth fell. He showed me his tooth, so tiny and so cute. He kept saying that he couldn't believe his tooth fell and the tooth fairy will come visit him tonight. Every since Xander lost teeth and got $$ from the tooth fairy, Khai was so jealous and had been asking when his teeth would fall. Now his dream came true. The tooth fairy sure brought him $$ under his pillow the next day.

煒勳的下面第一顆門牙已經搖了好幾個禮拜了. 在去中文學校的路上, 他們吃薯片,煒勳突然大叫他旳牙齒掉了.一看,好小的牙齒在我面前. 他一直說他不敢相信他牙齒終於掉下來了. 自從哥哥開始掉第一顆牙並收到牙齒仙女的錢錢, 煒勳就好羨慕, 一直問什麼時候他也可以掉牙. 現在終於美夢實現了. 他好期待牙齒仙女的到來. 果然在隔天, 弟弟很興奮的跑到我們房間並秀給我們看他旳錢錢.

Can you see my missing tooth? 你可以看到我少了一顆牙齒嗎?

Right afte Kahi lost his tooth, he told me that the tooth next to it is wiggly too and he was right. Maybe the 2nd tooth will fall pretty soon too. On Monday, 3/8/10, Khai came home and showed me his homework. I noticed that his 2nd tooth was missing. I asked him if he lost his tooth as school, he was so surprise to hear that. Ran to the bathroom and looked at the mirror. He came out so sad and worried that the tooth fairy wouldn't come and give him $$ because he lost his tootoh without knowing it. We told him to write a note to the fairy and maybe she would still come and visit. Of course tooth fairy came that night. Khai lost 2 teeth in 3 days, he needs to slow down otherwise he would have no teeth to chew.

當煒勳秀給我看他的牙齒時, 他馬上說旁邊的那顆牙也在搖.一摸, 果然很鬆.想說隔天再幫他錄影下來. 那知星期一下課後做功課時竟然看到煒勳的第二顆牙不見了. 我問他是不是在學校時掉了牙齒, 他一聽,愣了一下馬上衝到廁所去看鏡子. 哇, 他連牙齒掉了竟然都不知道.一定是吞到肚子裡去了啦.他出來後垂頭喪氣的說牙齒仙女不會來找他並給他錢了因為他沒有牙齒可以塞在枕頭下. 我叫他寫張紙條給仙女說如果有找到牙齒會還給她牙齒, 可不可以還是給他錢錢. 結果隔天仙女果真給他錢哦. 3天內就掉了2顆牙齒. 弟弟你的速度要減緩一點要不然到時就沒牙齒可吃飯了.

I now lost 2 teeth. 我掉了2顆牙囉.

Mother son dance Feb. 2010 母子會 2 月 2010

2010-03-10T09:31:00.004-05:00

Boys' school has annuel Mother Son Dance and this year I got to go with both Xander and Khai. Khai was very excited about it because he had to stay home with Dad in the past 2 years while I went to the dance with Xander.

小朋友的學校每年都會舉辦母子舞會. 今年煒勳終於可以和哥哥及我一起去參加舞會, 他好高興哦.

Khai's student teacher drew this poster. We borrowed it for the background.
煒勳班上的老師畫了這個壁報, 我們把它借來當照相背影.

We ate dinner and most of the boys went to gym and played with their friends while the moms sat and talked to other moms. They played one slow song and I got to dance with my cute boys. It was a fun date.

吃完飯後大部份的男生都跑去活動館去跟朋友玩而大部份旳媽媽們就坐在旁邊跟其他旳媽媽們聊天. 學校當晚有放了一首慢歌,所以媽媽們可以跟他們旳兒子們跳舞. 我當然把握機會抓兒子們來跳舞囉.

Taiwan sick 想台灣

2010-03-07T18:33:00.002-05:00

We are going to Taiwan in the end of the May and boys are super excited about it. We haven't visited Taiwan for 3 years. One night we were talking about what we can do in Taiwan and Xander said "I'm Taiwan sick". He learned "Home sick" at school and now he misses Taiwan, so he said "Taiwan sick". We thought it was very cute.

在五月底時我們就要回台灣了. 當我們告訴小朋友們我們要去台灣玩時傑升一直說他好想念夜市,好高興他和弟弟可以去夜市玩. 然後他就蹦出 "I'm Taiwan sick". 美國人說當你想家時, 你說" Home sick . 而傑升想台灣, 所以他就說 "Taiwan sick" 好可愛的童言童語.

Happy Chinese New Year 虎年行大運

2010-02-15T20:25:00.005-05:00

Every year we celebrate Chinese New Year with the Chinese school, so we decided to eat dim-sum prior to the celebration as our tradition. This year a close family decided to join us and learned about the celebration, so we invited them to eat dim-sum with us.

我們家每年都和會中文學校這個大家庭一起慶祝農曆新年, 所以我們會趁新年晚會之前先去吃養茶. 今年我們的好朋友一家想去看新年晚會, 所以我們也邀請他們跟我們去吃養茶.

We enjoyed our dim-sum as usual, but we can tell that our friends weren't used to this kind of food. But we had a good time.

他們覺得很新奇. 飯後我們包了小紅包給他們的3個小朋友. 小朋友們都好興奇可以收到紅包.

Khai's class decided not to perform this year, so I let him joined Xander's class. Every student suppose to say some lucky words. Khai kept coming to our seats and asked me how to say his parts. Poor kid, I never saw him so nervous. We told Khai that he needs to take a deep breath when he is nervous in the daily life. You can see from the video that he tood a deep breath before his performance (we didn't tell him to do that, but he remembered to do that to relax himself). Kids did a wonderful job on the stage as usual. We were so proud of them.

煒勳班今年投票決定不表演,所以我讓煒勳參加傑升班的服裝表演. 每個學生都要講一句吉祥話, 表演前就看煒勳很緊張的頻頻跑到我的座位問我怎麼說他的吉祥話. 很少看到煒勳這麼嚴肅和緊張. 有點好笑又不拾. 我們平常都教煒勳, 如果他很緊張或是挫折時,做個深呼吸. 結果你看煒勳在開始之前竟然自己做個深泘吸以放鬆自己. 2個小朋友都表演的很好呢.

BBQ bun, yummy. 好吃的包子.

Thumbs up. 好吃哦.

We love deep fried squid. 好吃的炸魷魚.

Handsome Khai 酷酷的弟弟.

Handsome Xander 帥帥的哥哥.

Sean helped me serve drinks. 肖恩和我幫忙賣冬瓜茶.

http://www.photasa.com/Events/2010-Ann-Arbor-Chinese-School/11244269_N6Dnh/2#788770516_C8wFD More pictures of Xander (on page 10) and Khai (on page 11)
在這一頁裡是專業的攝影師照的相. 哥哥在第10頁, 弟弟在第11頁.

Letters to family in Taiwan from Xander and Khai 傑升和煒勳寫給台灣家人的信

2010-02-11T20:07:00.005-05:00

Khai draws that he's playing the firecrackers. He covers his ears.
煒勳畫他在玩鞭炮,並摀起耳朵.

Wishing Ya-Ma Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day.
煒勳祝阿嬤生日快樂和情人節快樂.

Letter from Xander to Ya-Ma, wishing her happy birthday. Drew the picture of the firecrackers scared away the year monster and people wore red clothes.
傑升寫信給阿嬤祝她生日快樂和新年快樂. 畫了鞭炮把年獸嚇跑.

Letter from Xander to my sister, Chris, thank her for mailing the books to us. He drew he was reading books on his bunk bed.
傑升寫信給妙真阿姨, 謝謝她寄了好多巧連智給他和弟弟. 畫了他躺在床上讀巧連智.

2009 Idaho Trip snaps

2010-02-01T21:27:00.003-05:00

Here are some of the snaps of our Idaho trip, thanks to Ashley's help of taking our pictures.
以下是我們去公婆家時的相片.

This is Waffles, Jeremy and Ashley's dog, boys love playing with him.
這隻狗很乖, 小朋友很喜歡跟他玩.

Father-in-law's great greatpa (uncle?) helped settled in this town.
公公的祖祖父幫忙設立這個城市.

Family picture. 大家來照張相.

Picture with grand parents. 跟公婆合照.

Dinner at Melissa's beautiful house.Grandpa went home early, so he wasn't in the picture.
在肖恩二姐家吃飯. 公公先回家休息, 所以不在相片中.

Chicken with diaper. 第一次看到穿尿布的雞, .

Las Vegas Casinos sightseeing. 參觀賭城.

Waiting for the seat at the buffet. 在餐廳等位子, 肚子好餓哦.

Silly boys 二個小男生.

Xander's 1st Derby car racing

2010-01-29T10:23:00.007-05:00

This is Xander's first Pinewood Derby car racing. Sean and Xander put lots of efforts in it and the car turned out really pretty. In fact, Xander won all 3 races but unfortunatelly there were some cars that ran faster than Xander's. But we all had a great time and that's all that matters.

傑升今年滿8歲所以可以加入教會的幼童軍. 今年好幾個教會集合起來一起做賽車, 所以呢肖恩和傑升就開始買材料及動手做車子. 盒子裡的就是一根長方形的木頭, 然後你自己發揮想像力來雕刻你的車子. 怎麼樣, 不錯吧.

每個小朋友有3次賽車的機會. 因為我們一大早就到那報名所以傑升是第三位, 每組有3台車. 所以呢傑升是第一組開始賽車的.吔, 傑升每次都是第一名吔. 嗯,爸爸的技術的確是不賴. 很不幸的,有些車子跑的比我們快,所以沒有進入決賽. 不過沒關係, 好玩就好了.

Pitstop. Put some more powders so the car can ran faster.
報名前先來修理站把車子再做最後整修.

Checking in, 5 oz exactly. Good plannings, boys.
報名囉. 極限是 5 oz, 結果一量我們的車子剛好是 5 oz, 還好爸爸在家有先量了,才不用臨時再加減材料.

Proud Xander carrying his Landspeeder.
傑升站在那保護他寶貝的車子.

Khai had fun looking at cool cars.
弟弟到處看別人做的車子.

Checking out the cool and long tracks.
軌道很長. 第一次看到這種賽車, 好興奮.

Here it is, our cool car. Can you tell what it is? Landspeeder!
這是我們的車. 星際大戰(美國一部電影)中的車子.

Xander won The Most Futurestic Award out of all the cars.
傑升贏了最佳未來車子造型奬.

UP Pasty making

2010-01-27T21:40:00.006-05:00

We've heard MI Upper Peninsula is famous for pasty. After living in MI for 5 year it's finally time to make one.住在密西根這麼久了, 聽說本州的 Upper Peninsula pasty 很有名, 肖恩一直很想試著做做看. 所以呢今天就來試試吧.

Ready to go to oven. 準備進去烤囉.

Just came out of the oven. 剛出烤箱, 好香!

Approved by my boys that night. 小朋友們和我們當晚都說 "讚".

We made one patch and was able to freeze half of them (we froze 7). Next time will try to triple the recipe and freeze a bunch at the same time. It took lots of time to make them but worth the efforts.

那晚我們吃了幾個pasty 後竟然還可以冷凍7~8 個pasty. 嗯, 一樣要花這麼多功夫,下個要多做一點再冷凍起來.

2009 December video clips 2009 年12月影片

2010-01-26T21:23:00.007-05:00

Have you seen chickens wear diapers? Well, tonight was the first time that I saw one and had to record that to show you.

We decided to stay at Las Vegas for 1 day after leaving parents' house. This will count as our 10th anniversary trip. We came to Las Vegas with my parents and sister on our honey moon, 10 years later we came back again with 2 cute boys. Not many people at the Casinos and that worried us a little bit because it was 1 week before Christmas. We worried that many casinos would shut down due to lack of business. Maybe it would get busier when it gets closer to Christmas. We tried to get deals to watch some shows, but they were too expensive with 4 of us. We ended with spending 20 dollars at this game studio and had a blast.

你看過雞穿尿布嗎? 肖恩二姐家的雞是他們的寵物, 所以如果把雞帶進家裡就要包上尿布. 好笑吧!

離開了公婆家後我們在拉斯維加斯待一天. 想想10年前我們帶我爸媽和大姐來這度蜜月, 10年後肖恩和我帶了小朋友來這裡重溫舊夢. 很奇怪的是在賭城裡竟然很少人吔. 這和10年前人擠人的盛況差好多哦. 我們實在有點擔心賭城會不會就這樣垮了?不過想了想,還有一個禮拜就是耶誕節了, 也許到時才會有更多人來賭城玩吧. 去看看有沒有什麼秀沒有賣光可以便宜買, 唉,一家4口這樣門票太貴了. 花了20元在這遊戲間裡玩了很多遊戲, 很痛快.

We came to this buffet at Paris Casino with my parents and sister, so of course had to come back and visit. There were lots of choices and we came out with a full tummy. Went back to our hotel took a nap and ready for our night adventure.

Turned out many free shows at different casinos were shut down due to preparations for the Christmas rush. What a bummer. We visited Venetian Casino and really loved the river and the boat, it was very romantic and relaxing.

當年帶爸媽和大姐來這家吃到飽的餐廳. 所以今天當然也要來這裡吃囉. 奇怪, 菜色好像都差不多吔. 一個小時後我們帶著飽飽的肚子走回飯店睡個午覺準備晚上的行程. 結果晚上發現許多免費的秀都取消了, 因為下個禮拜是耶誕節會很忙所以很多地方這個禮拜都維修或放假. 真不巧. 不過我們去看了尼維斯飯店裡的河. 那裡面有真的人在那划船. 好浪漫. 最喜歡這個飯店因為它的天花板是漆成藍色的天空, 讓人覺得很輕鬆很自在, 好像你真的就處在陽光下.

We stayed at Bellagio on the honey moon and still remembered looking down at the dancing water fountain from our window. Boys were amazed at the beautiful water fountain. They are much prettier at night. We watched several water dances and then headed back to our room. Had an early morning flight and headed to the holiday concert at school right after we arrived home. What a busy day but fun trip except the sad circumstances.

度蜜月時是在Bellagio, 從我們房間可以看到噴水池裡的水舞. 所以晚上我們全家就待在噴水池前看水舞. 實在是很壯觀很漂亮. 我們看了好幾首水舞,最後實在是晚了應該回去整理行李準備隔天飛回家. 因為奶奶的過世,我們決定飛回家去參加喪禮, 可是這趙旅行看到了所有的家人又可以去賭城看一下, 實在是很值得.

December 2009

2010-01-21T21:40:00.002-05:00

This month had been a very busy for our family: flew to Idaho to attend grandma Berreth's funeral, attended school's holiday concert right after arriving MI, made cookies for friends and enjoyed the Christmas, of course.

今年的12月很忙: 飛到Idaho州去參加祖母的喪禮, 一下機就馬上準備去參加小朋友學校的演唱會. 聖誕節前忙著做餅乾以送給朋友們. 再來就是過個安靜的聖誕節囉!

Xander looked very handsome and really liked to sing. He memorized the whole "Rockin around the Christmas tree" 傑升很喜歡唱歌, 他將整首歌都記起來了.

This was Khai's first holiday concert at school and he was very proud of his performance. His friends were so excited to see him back from the funeral. 這是煒勳第一年的演唱會, 他可是非常興奮呢. 他班上小朋友看到他回來都好興奮呢.

Kids working on the treats, they were my good helpers. 幫忙做餅乾.

Jumping in the air on Christmas morning with his new pajamas. 在聖誕節當天很興奮的跑下樓來開禮物.

Another excited boy jumping in the air with his new pajamas. 弟弟也是高興的跳上天了.

We are ready. 我們準備好了.

Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk. Can you see the excitements in his eyes? 哇, 聖誕老公公把餅乾和牛奶喝完了吔. 你有沒有看到煒勳那興奮的眼神. 眼睛都發光了.

Let's see what's inside. 看看箱子裡有什麼.

Santa gave Xander a camera and a puppy from grand parents. 聖誕老公公給了傑升相機

Khai loves his puppy. 煒勳很喜歡他的小狗.

Pei-I got a new camera and took these beautiful pictures. Sean got a ipod. Thank you and Merry Christmas. 我想要一台相機, 所以這些漂亮的相片就是用我新相機拍的. 肖恩得到一台ipod. 謝謝. 耶誕快樂.

Xander's 2010 New Year Revolution 新年新希望

2010-01-20T11:48:00.003-05:00

I discovered this homework from Xander's Friday folder.
My wish is: I write better at Chinese
I hope my wish comes true because: that mom won't have to tell me to write again.
If my wish comes true, I would feel: happy.

I asked him why he wrote that and he said he was doing bad last year with writing Chinese, but now he's doing much better, so he's very happy about it. Keep it up.

What a nice comment and he does doing much better with Chinese this year. We are very happy about that.

傑升新年新希望
週末在整理傑升的作業, 發現這張很可愛的作業:
我2010年的新年新希望: 希望可以把中文寫好.
我希望我的希望可以成真, 因為: 這樣媽媽就不會叫我再寫一遍.
如果我的希望成真了, 我會: 很高興.

我很好奇傑升怎麼會有這種願望. 想了想, 會不會是從Idaho 回來了積了很多中文作業, 所以每天寫中文寫過頭了? 我有逼他那麼緊嗎? 後來昨天問他為什麼這樣寫, 他說: 因為我去年都學不好呀, 那今年我的國字寫的比較好了所以我很開心. 嗯, 小孩子的世界就是那麼單純.
註: 傑升今年的中字寫的真的很好哦. 尤其他會寫"妙真" 阿姨的名字. 回台灣時一定要叫他寫給你們看.

Another update under September 09

2009-12-09T13:15:00.000-05:00

We have another update under September 09: Summer Camping trip--The Smithsonian Museums 華盛頓博物館

I forgot to post this page and when I finished it today, it listed under September not December. Sorry about the confusion and hope you'll enjoy it.

The falling tooth 搖晃的牙齒

2009-12-08T13:59:00.006-05:00

Xander's upper front tooth just fell last week and now another front tooth is losing too. This will be the 6th tooth so far.

傑升上排的門牙上禮拜剛掉, 現在另一顆門牙也快掉下來了. 可以看到門牙掉了一半, 可是用力拔時傑升一直喊痛我們就沒有再繼續拔.

Can you see the tooth is almost fall. 牙齒快要掉囉.

12/5/09
Xander was eating cereal and suddently very excited showing his tooth to me. Apparently the tooth fell to his mouth while he ate the cerea. Luckly he didn't swallow it; otherwise tooth fairy wouldn't come visit.

12/5/09 早上吃早餐時, 傑升很興奮的跑來說他的牙齒掉了. 說他在吃飯時突然覺得硬硬的, 一看竟然是他的門牙. 還好有馬上吐出來, 要不然牙齒仙子就不能來了.

How do you like my smile without the front teeth? 沒有門牙的我笑的是不是很可愛?

Another goofy smile. 煒勳你為什麼笑的那麼賊?

Happy Halloween 2009 萬聖節快樂.

2009-11-04T20:09:00.006-05:00

This year had been hard to pick a costume for Khai, he kept saying that he'll be a cowboy (Xander was a cowboy last year), so we ended picking Xander a S.W.A.T. outfit. Both boys look really cute and handsome.

We had to go to a farm and buy new pumpkins in the morning of the Halloween because the ones that we had earlier were moldy, we got 3 big ones. Boys were being very brave and helpful, they took out the seeds all by themselves. I got pumpkin carving tools after Halloween last year, so we tried the new tool on our pumpkins. Hey, we are very pleased with the turn out. 在萬聖節當天我們要割南瓜時才發現南瓜有黑點, 裡面不好不能刻了. 趕快開車帶小朋友去附近的農場買了幾個南瓜來刻. 因為已經是萬聖節的當天了, 老閭就算我們很便宜, 一顆大南瓜才2塊錢. 回家後兄弟倆很棒都自己伸手去挖南瓜籽出來. 我們用小鑽子來割南瓜, 所以今年的南瓜很不一樣哦.

We like our pumpkins this year. 不錯的南瓜吧. 老公割那個骷髏頭, 其他的是媽媽我幫忙的.

Khai's side way smile face. 煒勳的側笑臉.

Take some picture with the big pumpkins. 跟大南瓜合張照吧.

We suppose to have trunk-or-treat outside school, but it was pouring rain and windy, so we moved to the gym. 本來要去學校外面拿"車庫糖菓", 可是當天下雨只好移到禮堂來發糖菓了.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Khai. 這是我最喜歡的相片之一.

Silly police man. 三八警察.

My cute boys heading to trick-or-treat. 可愛的小朋友們要準備去要糖菓囉.

Halloween clips. 萬聖節影片.

Xander's Ella Sharp Field trip 2009 傑升的戶外教學

2009-10-28T13:15:00.008-04:00

This field trip took place at the Ella Sharp Museum and lasted all day. The class learned about the life at the Pioneer period. Kids even made corn muffin and assembled lunch bucket the day before the trip. I was one of the driver, so Xander assembled a lunch bucket for me too. They are so cute(too bad I don't have the picture to show you).

We dressed Xander as a Pioneer boy and many girls at 2nd grade dressed with apron and bonnet, very creative parents. We went inside the cabin and learned what pioneer children did at that time (they sure are lucky to be born at modern time, comparing to how many chores the pioneer children had to do). We then went to an old school and learned how to make butter and experience what students did in the classroom. Xander was prtented that he was a bad boy and got called to the front and wore the "Dunce" hat.

After lunch, we went to wood shop to learn how children helped cutting woods and kids got to put their hands on the real tool and drill the tree. It was fun. I don't think that they'll be that happy if they had to drill trees everyday for long hours.

Overall the class was doing really great and they paid great attentions on the speaker. Good job 2nd graders.

這個禮拜傑升的戶外教學要去看拓荒時期的人怎麼生活. 他們出發的前一天先在學校烤了小蛋糕又做了一些午餐放在鐵罐子裡, 很特別. 因為是拓荒時期,所以老師叫我們幫他們穿那時候的衣服. 我們剛好有格子的長袖衣服及去年牛仔的背心, 就這樣子穿吧. 去了學校後看到很多二年級的女生, 穿了圍裙及戴帽子,實在是很可愛.

在小木屋裡, 小朋友學到那時的人們如何煮飯, 挑水及居家生活. 那時的小朋友要幫忙做好多事像是挑水,挑羊毛, 挑木柴有的沒有的. 現在的小孩真是好命. 後來我們去舊的學堂裡體驗那時學生如何上課及在桌上型黑板寫字. 小朋友們親自做奶油, 做出來的奶油和市面上賣的口感及味道都不一樣.

吃完午餐後我們去木雕室看當時的人怎麼做桌子及砍樹. 小朋友們可以實際拿工具來鑽樹, 每個人都玩的很開心.如果真的要他們每天都鑽樹, 他們大概笑不出來了吧.

今天的戶外教學, 所有的2 年級小朋友們都表現的很好, 大家都很專心聽講. 長大了真的是不一樣　!

Busy October 忙碌的十月

2009-10-26T22:09:00.011-04:00

October had been a busy and exciting month for Xander. He turns 8 this month, so no more booster seat in the car. He also going to be baptized few days after his birthday. One week after his baptism will be Halloween.

哇, 今年十月份對傑升來講是很忙的一個月份. 他今年滿8歲所以坐車時不用再坐在安全座椅上. 然後隔幾天他就要受洗, 再隔了一個禮拜就是萬聖節. 夠忙了吧.

As usual, we searched the Internet and found this cute cup cake decoration. Can you tell what they are? 照往例, 我們上網找圖片看要做什麼要的蛋糕給班上同學吃. 你猜得出這是什麼嗎?

Hmm... What kind of wish shall I make? 嗯, 要許什麼願呢?

Wow, I got a present too? 煒勳: 我也有禮物哦?!. 太棒了.

Birthday clip 生日快樂影片

Xander's baptism. Make sure that we take pictures of the 2 brothers.傑升的受洗. 趕快邀弟弟來拍張相片.

Our family is so far away, so we thought maybe not many people stayed for Xander's baptism, boy I was wrong. The chairs in the room were full and many church members / friends stayed to support Xander and us. We were really touched. Xander asked Pei-I to give a talk about baptism, Pei-I was very moody and cried like a baby. It was a very sweet and warm baptism. Xander received a journal from the bishop to write down the feelings about his baptism. I showed Xander my baptism program 11 years ago and encourged him to write down his feelings today, so he can share that with his grandchildren later on.

由於我們2方的家人都住的很遠, 所以我們想當天的受洗大概沒有什麼人吧. 結果出於意料我們教會好多人都留下來觀看傑升的受洗, 讓我們好感動. 傑升要我在受洗典禮上講話, 我那天很感動, 一邊講一邊哭,有點丟臉. 不過整體來說, 整個典禮很溫馨. 主教給了傑升一本日記, 希望他可以把當天洗禮的體驗都寫下去. (我秀給傑升看我11 年前洗禮時的節目單.希望他20年後也可以秀給他的子孫們看.)

Xander & Khai's fund raising 傑升和煒勳的學校募款

2009-10-05T21:02:00.002-04:00

Dear family members and friends:

Xander and Khai are doing Market Day fund raising for their school. Please visit the following web site: http://www.marketdayfundraising.com/indexshop.aspx
to browse the catalog. Xander and Khai will receive prizes for every dollar that you order. The items will shipped to your home directly. Thank you for your support.

Sale ID: 207584 White Pine Academy

Don't forget to include boys' order form ID # at the check out:
Xander's order form ID#: 1471099
Khai's order form ID#: 1455423

各位台灣的家人及朋友們:
傑升和煒勳的學校要舉辦募款. 請到下列網頁參購: http://www.marketdayfundraising.com/indexshop.aspx

你所訂的每一塊錢都會替傑升及煒勳累積小禮物哦. 在付錢前請一定要寫傑升和煒勳的訂單號碼, 這樣訂單才會跑到他們的訂單下.

傑升的 order form ID#: 1471099
煒勳的 order form ID#: 1455423

1st day of school 2009 第一天上課.

2009-09-08T19:40:00.005-04:00

This year Khai is going to kindergarten at the same school as Xander. Khai had been looked forward to this day for a long time. He got up early and dressed himself without being asked. Both boys ate breakfast happily and we took them to school. We were there early, so they had a chance to chat with friends and talk to their teacher.

Pei-I wasn't used to have the quiet house all by herself. Xander and Khai were doing great at the first day of school, according to their teacher. Khai loved his school.

p.s. We pulled Xander's 4th tooth last night.

今天煒勳就要去哥哥的學校上幼稚園囉. 煒勳期待了好久, 整個暑假都在問什麼時候可以去上學. 到學校上課讓他覺得他長大了, 是個大男生. 今天早上他是第一個起床的,不用叫他就會自己換上學校的制服. 哇, 2 個小朋友很興奮,都乖乖的吃早餐還很快就準備好了. 在學校外面很多小朋友排隊準備去自己的班上上課.

整天沒有人在家吵我還真有點不習慣呢. 下午去接他們時, 2 個小朋友笑咪咪的跟我說今天上課好玩多好玩. 今天沒有功課. 如果每天都像第一天上課那麼興奮就好了.

註: 昨天拔了傑升的第4顆牙齒.

It was raining outside, that's why there were spots on their shirt. 哦, 外面在下面, 所以衣服沾到車子有點溼溼的.

Few other things that we accomplished in the summer 2009

2009-09-08T19:21:00.006-04:00

This summer we reached few goals: boys learned how to ride their bicycles, picked and canned a lot of fruit + vegetables inculding: 21 pounds of strawberry jam, 24 pounds of blueberry syrup, beans, peaches, tomato sauce, salsa and spaghetti sauce. Visited fire house and had BBQ chicken. Not too bad huh..

今年夏天開始我們列了一些想要在這暑假裡做到的事, 像是學會騎腳踏車, 做水果及疏菜罐頭...

Vegetables from our garden harvested by Khai 從菜園裡採的蔬菜.

Canning green beans. 做豆子罐頭.

Canning peaches. 做水蜜洮罐頭.

Doesn't the peaches look so yummy? 垂涎好吃的桃子罐頭.

Eating BBQ chicken at the fire station. 在消防隊局裡吃烤雞肉.

Summer Camping trip--The Smithsonian Museums 華盛頓博物館

2009-09-04T21:30:00.008-04:00

We have friends visited D.C. before, so we got many tips about where to visit and were very excited about D.C. It was very hard to find parkings at the D.C., so we took Metro, which was 5 minutes away from our camp site and 30 minutes ride to D.C. Kids were very excited about riding the METRO.

我們有幾位朋友對華盛頓很熟, 所以他們給了我們很多意外可以去那邊玩. 在華盛頓很難找到停車位,所以我們從露營附近坐30分鐘的地下鐵到華盛頓. 小朋友們很興奮坐地鐵.

We packed lots of water bottles, snacks, hats, straw mats (to rest and nap) + tour books with us the 1st day, so our backpacks were very heavy (forget to pack the stroller with us). We walked to the Capital after getting out of the METRO. It was about 30 minutes walk and we've already tired by the time we arrived there. It was very hot and humid at the D.C. and the day before was only 60 degrees at our previous camp site, bit temperature difference. It's the capital in the front and the monument in the back.

第一天去華盛頓時,我們背包裡裝了許多水,點心,草席,書及雜七雜八的東西. 為什麼要帶點心呢? 因為觀光地區點心及水都賣的很貴,所以自己帶去比較划算.可惜我們忘記帶小朋友舊的手拖車,不然會更輕鬆一點. 從下地鐵到國會前大約走了30分鐘的路我們都累垮了. 前幾天露營的地方都還要穿外套,今天這裡是高溫. 坐下來吃點心喝水休息一下. 還是到太空博物館裡去吹次氣吧.

There was already a line waiting to get in before it opens. Kids had fun touching the astronaut outfits and doing other projects.

所有在華盛頓的博物館都是免費的(納稅人每年所繳的稅),可是這裡實在是太多博物館了. 我們只在這裡待3~4天,必須要選擇要先參觀那幾家博物館. 太空博物館是最熱門的幾家,還沒開門前外面就已經有一大長攏在等待進入. 在裡面吹次氣真舒服. 這裡有很多有關於飛機的展覽及實驗. 小朋友們玩的很開心.

Summer camping trip--Palmyra 教會起源地

2009-07-24T21:11:00.007-04:00

The Log Home--We woke up very early to visit The Smith Family Farm because it would be very crowded due to the pageant. We were very excited to visit the place where Joseph Smith lived. 先知以前住的房子--我們很早就來這邊參觀,因為當天晚上有教會的大型舞台表演所以一定會有很多人來這參觀. 常常在書上看到這些相片,終於可以實地參觀了.

The living room-- Very small room yet warm. 餐廳--麻雀雖小,五臟俱全.

Joseph Smith's bedroom -- It's hard to believe that we stood at the room where Angel Moroni appeared.之前有天使顯示在先知的這間臥室.

The Frame Home

The Sacred Grove--This is a very spiritual place, you really can feel the spirit. We enjoyed walking in the forest and feel the spirit. No wonder Joseph Smith choose this place to pray. We took turns to make sure we got some alone time. 耶蘇和神父顯現地--在先知那年代,很多不同教會都說他們自己是真的教會. 先知不知道要參加那個教會. 於是他來到家後面的這個森林祈禱請求指示. 耶蘇和神父在這顯現並告訴他那些教會都不是神的教會, 不要參與任何一個教會.當我們進入這個森林時,覺得這個森林好安靜,好虔誠,難怪先知會挑這個地方來禱告. 我從來沒有去過一個地方可以讓你覺得很自在很舒服,這是個很特別的森林.

The book store where they printed the first 5,000 copies of Book of Mormon 首先印製5,000本摩門經的書店--在當時要買一本摩門經大約是2天做工的工錢.

There were 9,000 chairs set up. We were amazed how big the stage was and how many chairs were there. We heard kids can be in the cast next year if they want to try. Here are my future actors. 現場排了9,000張椅子--哇,好多椅子吔. 最另人佩服的的是所有的750位演員都是來自全國各地的義工.他們報名要表演,如果被選中了就會通知來領取角色. 只練習了幾天就開始正式彩排.正式表演為期10天.

Waiting patiently--THE pageant won't start until 9:15 pm, but we arrived there at 5:30 pm. Got our seats and head to chicken BBQ for dinner. It was very yummy. Kids played on the grass while the grown up read books and looked around all the actors. It was amazing to see these casts, their costumes were pretty. We learned that there were 750 actors on the stage and they only got few days to practice and rehearsal. They did a really good job and we really enjoy the show. 還有2個多小時天才會黑. 人越來越多了--表演要等到9點15分才會開始,可是我們五點半就到達場地佔位子(其實我們中午時就去用背包佔位子了啦,佔到第二排). 先去吃烤雞吧. 吃完晚餐小朋友趴在草地上玩玩具,我們就坐在椅子上看書及看演員們走來走去. 其實看這些演員們很有趣.他們穿著很古老的服裝,而這些服裝都是手製的.他們的裝飾都很華麗及真實,和大明星有的比哦. 傑升那晚和好幾個演員合照.這個表演很壯觀很好看,等了這麼久是值得的.

Say Hi to Mormom. Lots of boys were attractive to his big sword. 和大力士照張相--好多小男生都跑來和他照相,因為他的劍好長好大.

Summer camping trip-- Niagara Falls

2009-07-22T21:44:00.005-04:00

Can you tell there was a glass behind Xander? It appears that Joker sits right behind him. 其實傑升後面有一面玻璃, 可是那時光線很好,所以照起來就像傑升站在假人前面.

Boys share the super big chair. 好大的椅子哦.

Khai wouldn't let go of the poncho the whole time. 煒勳死抓著雨衣不放.

Isn't it amazing and pretty? 好壯觀的景象.

This summer we decided to visit the Niagara Falls at the Canada side (you can see the whole waterfalls from Canadian side) then drive down to Palmyra, NY to see the pageant then head to Washington D.C. for the museums.

Sean found a KOA that just 10 minutes away from the waterfall. This KOA has a big play ground, swim pool and a jumping pillow that looks very fun. We found out there's a bus that we can take across street from our camp, this way we don't need to worry about where to park and where to go. It proved that we made a right decision, there were so many people and traffic around Niagara Falls.

Our first impression of the falls was: it's so small, not as big as the posters that we saw. We purchased the tickets to Maid of the Mist. Got our poncho and waited in the line patiently. Kids were pretty excited about getting on the boat and seeing the waterfall. Once we got close to the fall, then we realize it's a very big waterfall especially when you are very close to it. It would be very hard to swim under such strong currents. Can't under estimate the power and the beauty of the nature.

We walked around that area, there were many stores for tourists but all were over-priced. Kids wanted to visit many stores but they all required tickets. We pretty much said NO to every request and felt so bad for being such cheap parents. We bought them ice cream cones to make it up.

After returned to the camp site, I took kids to the jumping pillow to play. It's a very neat place. Kids can jump on this oval pillow for hours and don't see the pillow leaking. Finally, I couldn't resist anymore, I went to jump with kids when there were less people watching. It was actually really fun to jump on it.

這個暑假我們太晚買機票回台灣, 所以決定在暑假時一邊露營一邊去加拿大那邊看尼加拉瓜瀑布,再往下走去New York 看我們教會的表演再去華盛頓看華府. 我們聽說尼加拉瓜瀑布要在加拿大這邊看才漂亮,才會看到全景 (尼加拉瓜瀑布在美國和加拿大的分界,一邊是美國, 一邊是加拿大). 老公找到一個露營地方距離瀑布只有10分鐘.

一進到這個露營地區發現它很壯觀, 有2個游泳池, 一個很大的遊樂園及一個可以跳的大皮球. 我們馬路對面就有公車可以坐到瀑布那邊去, 想說如果坐公車我們就不用找停車位及擔心要怎麼走. 一到那附近發現我們的選擇是正確的, 那邊人山人海又有一大堆車. 如果對那邊不熟, 開車一定很頭痛的.

一看到瀑布的第一印象是: 怎麼這麼小呀? 相片上看起來的好大好壯觀吶..算了, 還是去買票坐船吧. 他們發給每個人藍色的雨衣, 大家井然有序的排隊及穿雨衣. 小朋友們好興奮要坐船去看瀑布. 煒勳好緊張,一直抓著雨衣蓋住整個臉. 問他為什麼蓋住整個臉, 他說怕衣服會溼掉..當船駛到瀑布下面時才體驗到這個瀑布真的很大, 很壯觀. 大自然真的很奇妙, 怎麼會有這麼多水一直往下滑,終年不斷.

看完了瀑布去旁邊的商店看看吧. 這裡真的是名符其實的觀光區, 每家店如果要進去參觀就要買票, 那他們的票價又特貴. 小朋友們對很多家店都很想看, 可是我們告訴他們這些店都很貴吶. 覺得對小朋友們很對不起, 買了貴貴的甜筒給他們吃, 稿賞一下.

這邊的人實在很多又不想多花錢進去參觀, 還是打道回府吧. 我到小朋友去跳大汽球. 很好玩哦, 就一個碰碰的塑膠皮, 可是可以讓小朋友們一直跳還不是硬磞磞的哦. 我看到人比較少了, 實在是受不了了也跑去跳一跳. 哇, 好過隱哦!

New refrigerator 新冰箱

2009-06-16T22:07:00.005-04:00

Several weeks ago we noticed that our milk became creamy, we thought we just had bad luck getting a bad one. We went bought 2 more jars of milk and same situation happened. We bought a thermometer and tested the refrigerator, it was 50 degrees, so we've been having a warm refrigerator for a while, lucky nobody got sick. Sean cleaned the pipe and found out we had a leak (it's been leaking for a while and we didn't notice), maybe that's the problem. He shut the pipe off and later that night we discovered our basement was flooded. Water still came out from the vault, we had kids hurry grabbing all the towels we had in the house and tried to move stuff around and dry the floor. It was a very exciting night. The refrigerator was still warm after shutting off the vault. The refrigerator came with the house and we don't know how old it is, so time to shop for a new one.

We went to Best Buy, Sears and Home Depot to look around the next day, we were pretty tired out at the end. We went back to Best Buy and bought one that we think would fit under our cabinet. It's LG double sided stainless with freezer on the bottom. The store won't deliver until 4 days later, we had to buy a big bag of ice and stuff it in the refrigerator until new one arrives.

The new one looks pretyt sharp, don't you think? It's time to save $ and pay off the bill.

這幾天發現我們冰箱的牛奶壞掉了, 想說可能是運氣不好, 那再買2罐牛奶好了.吔, 還是一樣壞了! 是我們的冰箱有問題嗎? 把溫度調到最低並買了一個冰箱溫度計來看我們的溫度. 一量發現我們的冰箱太溫了, 難怪牛奶會壞掉. 肖恩當晚去地下室把水管(要做冰塊的那條水管) 關掉希望這樣溫度會較低 (他發現我們的冰箱已經漏水一陣子了, 因為水管下面的木頭都發霉了. 可見得我們的冰箱已經有一陣子已經很暖和了. 還好沒有食物中毒.) 結果當我們從中文學校回家時才發現我們的地下室淹水了 (雖然把開關關了, 可是還是繼續在漏水). 哇, 這可不是開玩笑, 叫小朋友們趕快把家裡能用的毛巾全部拿下來吸水. 我們2個就趴在地上到處吸水. 還好水是集中在一部份, 所以損失還不是很大. 我想這樣子也算是順便整理我們地下室吧.

隔天我們跑了3家店看了好多冰箱, 難題是我們的櫃子有一定的高度, 冰箱不能買太高的. 最後終於買了一台冰凍室在下面的不繡鋼. 因為白色和黑色的沒有現貨,所以店員給了我們200元的折扣, 可是要等到4天後冰箱才會到.我們就只好先買一大袋的冰塊塞在冰箱裡暫時緩衝囉. 傳統的冰凍室是在上面,每次要開冷藏室時都要彎腰找東西. 看的這台冰箱冷藏室剛好就在視線範圍內,不用彎腰.又可以兩邊開門.

我們很想買門前旁有冰塊和水的冰箱, 可是一看調查報告發現這種冰箱最容易壞了.想了想, 還是買傳統的冰箱好了比較保險.

Violence? 慘遭家暴?

2009-06-11T22:13:00.002-04:00

Look at my poor arm. 我可憐的手臂.

What? Did Sean beat Pei-I up? OH, no no no. I had trouble donating blood lately. Last time I didn't drink enough water, so the blood stopped coming out during the process. This tiem I learned, so I drank lots of water few days before I gave blood.

Guess what? THis was the second time that my blood stopped coming out during the process. The technicians then poked the needles around my arm and tried to get it going again. Seriously, they wasn't just poking, they moved the needle around and that really hurts. Finally they gave up and had to throw my blood away because it wasn't full so they couldn't use it. I was only few oz away. Ugh.

My arm was really sore right after that, and as you can see from the picture: I got pretty ugly bruse. I had to wear long sleeve shirt to Chinese school, in case people wondering what happened to me.

Other people didn't have trouble donating blood at the scene, so maybe something's wrong with me? Anyone knows why would that happen to me?

I'm going to give the 3rd try (at different places, not my church again, so maybe I would have better luck with different technicians?) and if I still have trouble donating blood and got ugly bruse like this, I'm going to stop doing that.

什麼? 我被家暴嗎? 沒有啦. 其實是捐血失敗.這已經是第二次烏青像這樣了. 上一次在教會捐血時, 我水喝不夠, 所以捐到一半血就不跑出來了.那些護士就抽針頭在血管裡到處移, 到處抽, 希望可以讓血繼續出來. 我忍了很久, 真的很痛, 實在是受不了了請他們停止. 因為血不夠一整袋,結果他們必須把那袋血丟掉. 我好心疼哦, 捐那麼多血不能幫助人就這樣被丟掉.

有了前車之鑑, 這次我喝了很多水. 結果還是一樣, 血捐到一半又不出來了, 我就只剩下一點點就滿一袋了. 結果護士當然又是在那又到處移針頭. 好痛. 血又不出來, 只好看那袋飽滿的血又被丟掉了.

隔了幾天我的手臂馬上就烏青一大片, 去中文學校上課時我還特地穿七分袖的衣服, 別的家長才不會在那大驚小怪說是不是老公打我. 看別人在那捐血時都沒有問題, 為什麼我就連續第二次出問題. 想說三個月後再試最後一次, 如果血還是半途就停的話我就不再去捐血了.

是我身體有問題還是倒楣遇到菜鳥護士?

Toledo Zoo 動物園一遊

2009-06-11T21:47:00.002-04:00

Our zoo membership was about to expire and it was Mother's Day weekend, so we decided to visit Toledo zoo. We arrived the zoo right when it just opened. It was windy and cloudy, so not many people at the zoo yet. We visited the monkeys first. We don't know if it's still early or not crowded yet, the bears and the chimpanzee were very active. The bear came to us and posed with us while we were taking pictuers. The chimpanzee was my high light of the zoo: he knocked the window with his palm when we approached to the window. I blow kisses to him, he then gave us several kisses back and even big smile faces. I never seen a chimpanzee in the zoo have so many inactions with people. Isn't he cute?

It was really windy and cold, so we didn't visit other sections and decided to take off and visit Costco instead. Few minutes after we left, it started to rain. We had a good time at the Costco, of course spent too much money there.

Kids were very well beheaved all day, even in the zoo. They walked the whole time and didn't complain about anything. We sure have good boys.

Amazing chimpanzee 可愛的人猿.

The bear says: "cheese!" 熊說: 我也要照相啦.

我們動物園的會員就快要到期了, 再加上隔天就是母親節, 於是我們一家人就開車去逛動物園. 我們在動物園剛開門就到了, 因為是會員所以不用和別人擠排隊買票. 我們想先去看猴子好了. 不曉得是不是因為剛開門或是還早的原因, 動物們都很活潑. 我們在熊館前照相時, 熊也跑過來和我們一起照. 那人猿就更絻了, 我們每一個人到玻璃窗前時, 那人猿就用它的手掌敲玻璃窗一下, 真的哦, 我叫弟弟過來看它又敲了一下. 我們很驚奇的在那抛飛吻, 它竟然也回我們好幾個飛吻, 甚至還笑了好幾下呢. 從來沒有在動物園裡看過這麼活潑的人猿.

本來還想去別區逛逛的,可是當天風很大又好像快要下雨了, 我們就決定提早離開去逛Costco. 就在我們離開的幾分鐘後開始下雨, 還好做了明智的決定.

小朋友今天一整天都表現的很好. 他們現在長大了,都會自己跟著我們逛動物園. 累了就休息一下喝水, 很替他們驕傲.

School End Ceremony 中文學校結業典禮

2009-06-01T21:56:00.003-04:00

This Friday is Chinese school end ceremony, but we heard that one child just confirmed with swine flu; therefore, many families were absent.

Xander and Khai participated Speech contest, so they both won a small trophy and were very excited about it. But then Khai asked me why other kids' trophy are taller than his? I told him that those kids won first 3 places and that's why their trophies are taller. He'll have to work harder next year if he wants a taller trophy.

Both kids were being really good, they sat nicely on the floor. The whole ceremony ended faster than last year because lots of students were absent. I also received thank you cards and gift card from school as a teacher. Several parents came to me and thanked me teaching their child this yearand made me felt a sense of achievement. Those were my special moments of the day.

星期五就是中文學校的結業典禮了.今年我是老師,所以有特別禮遇可以坐在椅子上.一般學生是坐地上吶. 到了頒奬時,今年煒勳和傑升都有上台領優勝奬(噓,每位參賽者都有一個奬盃, 不要跟小朋友說哦). 2 兄弟倆在台上也很興奮的看著自己的奬盃. 只是一到台下煒勳看了前三名的奬盃問我為什麼別人的奬盃比他的高? 我說因為他們講的比較好, 得了前三名. 那弟弟如果你也要高高的奬盃, 明年比賽也要努力一點才有機會得.

兄弟2個人都乖乖的在坐在自己班上. 後來所有的老師也都被叫上台去被學校感謝一番還得到15元的禮卷. 最讓我窩心的是有好幾位班上的家長都跟我謝謝這年辛苦的教導他們的小孩, 讓我很有成就感.

Xander's field day

2009-06-01T16:36:00.003-04:00

Xander's school had a field day that had 12 stations with different games. It was an all day event and I took Khai to cheer for Xander. Xander did really well, he ran fast and tried his best; although his classmates sometimes had better strategies than he did (for example the one that you sit on the car and move youself through the cones). That's o.k., the important part is that he had fun and he tried his best.

Khai also tried several games, he was frustrated that his balance or speed wasn't as good as Xander, but he forgot that he's competiting with the first grade and he's only 5 years old.

Boys went to bed very easily for us that night.

再過一個禮拜傑升的學校就要放暑假了, 所以今天學校有活動.有12個攤位, 高年級的大哥大姐們負責照顧這些攤位. 小朋友們以班級為單位到每個攤位去玩遊戲. 我和煒勳也去幫傑升加油. 只見傑升很努力的跑及玩每樣遊戲.

最讓我印象深刻的是坐在輪板墊上繞著障礙物用腳前進. 傑升坐上後很努力的用腳前進, 可是別的小朋友更厲害,他們往後坐然後很快的就用腳來前進. 這時傑升雖然看到對方很快, 可是他還是很固執的要用自己的方式划到終點再跑回去換下一個隊友.不知道為什麼我就是很感動.

煒勳後來也有試著玩一些活動,可是他很灰心為什麼他比哥哥跑不快也拿不穩東西, 我一直提醒他哥哥及他班上的同學都大他大歲, 等到今年秋天他也來上學就可以和同班同學一起玩了.

玩完遊戲學校發給每個小朋友一個冰棒. 大家都吃的很開心, 小朋友們那天晚上睡的很沈, 一定是累壞了.

Khai's last day with Mrs. Brown 學前班最後一天上課

2009-06-01T10:14:00.006-04:00

Khai already had his graduation yesterday and today is the last time to play with his friends at the miniature golf course. Khai doesn't know how to hold the club but he's getting better at the end. Good bye, Mrs. Brown and friends.

煒勳昨天已經有畢業典禮, 今天是最後一天上課. 他們班今天要去打迷你高爾夫球. 煒勳的球桿都拿反了, 沒關係啦, 高興就好. 打完球後到旁邊的公園玩一玩, 跟朋友們說再見就準備打道回府. 吔, 媽媽我以後不用再開車送弟弟去上學前班了.

Khai's graduation 學前班畢業典禮

2009-05-23T22:09:00.004-04:00

Say cheese.

This is my amazing teacher 煒勳和老師

Yummy.好好吃的棉花糖

We are so behind on updating our blog, so we figured that we'll update the latest first.

May 17 2009 -- Khai graduated from preschool

It's hard to believe that my baby is graduating from preschool and no more driving to downtown (it's about 30 minutes drive to Khai's pre-school vs. 10 minutes to Xander's school). Khai was pretty excited about his big day and can't wait to put on the cap. He looked so cute and so grown up.

We had potluck that every family brings a dish. There were so many yummy food, but kids didn't eat much because they want to go play the bouncing house before the line is too long. One family donated the cotton candy machine and it was so fun to watch them make the candy and eat them. We were in the line twice.

Khai is very excited to go to Xander's school and kept asking how many more days will that be.

我們要更新網頁, 可是實在是太多要整理了, 所以我想就先從最近的開始說吧:

5月17日--煒勳的中班畢業典禮

哇, 好快, 煒勳就要從中班畢業了.不過呢, 媽媽我可是十分期待, 因為這樣子我就不用在星期一,三,五時開30分的車送煒勳去上課, 哥哥的學校離我們家才10分鐘車程而且早上是鄰居來接哥哥. 相對的也有一點不捨因為這位老師很好,對小孩很有耐心, 她也是我們寧願開這麼遠去那邊上課的原因了. 煒勳對這天也很期待,迫不及待的要戴上他的方帽. 老師很厲害, 用保利龍碗夾紙皮就變成了很可愛的方帽. 煒勳看起來是不是像個大朋友了呢?

典禮完後, 我們去外面吃午餐. 學校提供Pizza 那每個家庭就帶一樣菜去分享.一看到那麼多菜我就很興奮的夾了一大堆整盤都是. 很多樣菜都很好吃呢. 小朋友根本沒吃多少就很興奮的要趕快去玩玩具. 今年還有一位家長租了棉花糖的機器. 小朋友很少吃棉花糖所以一看到那就很興奮的去排隊. 我們全家排了2次隊. 不是我們太貪吃哦,而是那家長給的棉花糖實在很小, 吃不過癮啦.

好吧, 吃飽了就回家休息了. 煒勳現在迫不及待的要去哥哥的學校上課. 每天都問還有多久要去哥哥的學校上課.

Happy Easter 復活節快樂

2009-05-17T22:32:00.005-04:00

This year Easter just caugh up on us. We didn't dye our eggs until Saturday night and only bought 3 small bags of candies for kids.

Khai's school had egg hunt on Friday and Xander didn't have school that day, so Xander went egg hunt with Khai. He was very helpful and had lots of fun of helping Khai hunting the eggs. Xander even helped a girl finding her eggs. They both were so sweet and Khai shared most of his goodies with Xander, poor mom and dad only had few candies.

Unlike the snowy and cold weather that we had in the past on Easters, this year we were fortunate enought to have blue sky and nice weather. We told kids to take a nap so Easter bunny can come and leave them goodies. Easter bunny sure left them lots of goodies and it took them 1 month to finish their goodies (well, I only limit them to eat 2~3 candies a day and most time they forgot that they had these canides.) Happy Easter.

今年的復活節悄悄的接近, 我們只買了幾袋糖菓並等到禮拜六晚上才染蛋. 傑升學校禮拜五剛好沒有上課, 所以呢他就幫弟弟一起找蛋.傑升很棒哦, 有一個小女生還有一個蛋找不到, 傑升很有耐心的幫她找.

前幾年的復活節天氣都很不好甚至還有雪, 今年的天氣是大藍天還有大陽光, 很適合去外面找蛋. 我們照往例叫小朋友先去睡午覺, 這樣復活節免子才會拿蛋給他們.煒勳每次要去找蛋時都臉臭臭的因為剛睡醒, 今年也是不例外. 兄弟2人在院子裡找的很高興. 他們收到了很多糖果甚至還有好幾個裝一塊錢的蛋呢.

1st day of Spring break. 春假第一天

2009-04-07T21:32:00.005-04:00

This week is Xander's spring break and when we woke up in the morning we noticed it was white outside. The news said we got 7 inches of snow last night, so many school closed including Khai's. We looked out the window and saw our tree branches were so low because of the wet and heavy snow. It's spring break and we suppose to go out and play, not shoveling snow..

The snow in the drive way was very wet and heavy. I told boys to brush the snow off from the branches. The branches will jump high once you cleared the snow, really fun doing that. Kids would even hide under the bushes while I cleared the snow. We had a great snow day today.

今天是傑升放春假的第一天, 可是早上一起床看到新聞說很多學校今天不上課因為昨晚下了7英寸的雪.煒勳的學校今天也不上課. 往窗外一看, 哇, 好多雪而且樹枝都被又重又溼的雪壓的很低. 春假應該是去外面玩怎麼會是要剷雪呢?

我們出去剷雪時看到很多樹枝都掉到地面上因為雪太重了. 我叫小朋友們把樹枝上的雪除掉樹枝就會跳起來, 他們在那玩的很高興.我們在外面玩了一個多小時的雪. 也好, 我們算有在外面玩了.

Xander field trip 傑升的戶外教學

2009-04-07T17:53:00.008-04:00

Xander's class had a field trip at Chelsea and they planned to visit the Tree house, Jiffy Mix and Bear Factory, students got a teddy bear at the end of the tour (of course you have to pay for the bear and admission to the Tree house). It was Khai's spring break, so I decided to take Khai along with us.

We learned that Khai couldn't enter the Jiffy mix tour few days before the trip because he is under 6, so I told him ahead of time that he cannot attend the tour but we could walk around Chelsea down town. We pass Chelsea every Friday to go to Chinese school but only stopped there to visit its farmers' market few years ago. It would be nice to walk around there.

The Tree house was a indoor playground which is pretty similar to McDonald's except it sells pizza and expensive meals. Kids were having lots of fun running around and playing with their friends. They finished their pizza and lemonade, ready to visit Jiffy Mix cross street. Khai and I had 90 minutes break so we walked to Chelsea downtown and visited small shops. It was a nice day outside and so fun to walk around with Khai. We even stopped by a flower shop and looked at their fancy water fountains.

We still had 20 minutes before the class came to the Teddy Bear Factory, so I took Khai to visit the factory first. It wasn't the factory that I thought you make a wish and stuff inside your bear and get your hands on building your own bear. It just a store displayed many already finished teddy bears and you saw some people sewing the bears or stuffing cottons inside the bears through the glass.

A lady did gave us a tour and told about the history of the teddy bears, she then took us inside the factory and explained us how they made a teddy bear by showing us the patterns, plates and cutting machine. We ran out of time so we had to wrap up the tour and had each kid pick a teddy bear.

Xander said he had lots of fun at the Jiffy Mix and he picked up a Brownie mix from the factory, way to go Xander! It will be only 2 more years until Khai can visit Jiffy Mix. We had a long but fun field trip.

四月時傑升班上有一個戶外教學要去3個地方: 玉米粉工廠,樹屋及玩具熊工廠,每個小朋友參觀完工廠還可以帶一隻小熊回家做紀念(當然啦,在樹屋吃飯及那隻小熊不是免費的).想說那禮拜是煒勳的春假, 待在家裡也沒事那就一起去吧!

就在出發的前幾天,傑升的老師說煒勳不能去參觀玉米粉工廠因為他未滿6歲, 那好吧! 傑升他們去參觀玉米廠時我就帶煒勳去參觀Chelsea這個小鎮吧! 我們每個禮拜五都會經過這個小鎮去中文學校,可是就只有2年前去過一次而已.剛好趁這個機會去看看這個小鎮.

到了樹屋才知道這個地方就很像麥當勞的遊樂場,有一個室內的遊樂場:溜滑梯,吊槓及給小寶寶的小坃具. 吃完了午餐後傑升他們準備去隔壁的玉米廠參觀.我就帶著煒勳去參觀小鎮. 當天的天氣很好,我和煒勳慢慢的走,慢慢的參觀每家店.東西都太貴了,只可參觀不可買. 我們也到花店裡去看漂亮的花. 2 人的時光十分愉快吶.

哥哥他們還有20幾分鐘才會到熊寶寶工廠,弟弟和我實在等的很無聊我就先帶他進去參觀. 我以為這工廠會是讓你自己動手做你自己的熊寶寶,可是一進門才發現所有的熊寶寶都已經做好了.可是可以從窗戶裡看到裡面有人在縫熊寶寶,另一邊有人在塞棉花進去熊寶寶.

過了一會兒,傑升他們班過來工廠和我們集合.一位小姐介紹熊寶寶的歷史及讓我們進去工廠看他們如何製造熊寶寶.就只是看靜態的展示,那時沒有人在那製作. 我們趕時間要回學校,趕快讓小朋友們排隊挑他們喜歡的熊寶寶.

真是好玩又好累的一天.

Chinese Speech Contests

2009-03-28T17:35:00.006-04:00

Every year Chinese school holds a Chinese speech contest. Students prepare their speech with parents' help (not too many ) and memorize them. The length of the speech is 45 seconds to 2 minutes. We like this event because it helps kids to be comfortable with speaking in the public.

This year Xander's topic is about our family trip to Chicago in February. He mentioned that our hotel was close to an airport and he didn't get enough sleep because many airplanes took off at night time. Then we went to the Fideld Meseum and saw many dinasour fossils and many mummies. That night we took kids to Medevel Times for dinner. They had fun cheering for the green knight while eating dinners with their fingers. We visited a Lego store the next day and Xander picked a Star Wars airplane.

p.s. Xander didn't do so many actions in his actual contest; otherwise the first place will be in his pocket easily. We still proud of him trying so hard though.

This is Khai's first time to attend the contest, so I make sure it's short and easy for him to memorize. Khai talked about his family and saying that daddy works very hard everyday and mommy stays home taking care of them. Xander is his best friend and he has 2 cats.

We knew that Xander would do a great job as usualy, but we were kind of nervous for Khai. Out of our surprise, Khai went to the stage confidently and gave his speech. He did forget some parts but recovered quickly. They both did such a good job and we are very proud of them.

中文學校每年都有演講比賽, 我們很鼓勵這個活動因為一來可以訓練小朋友說中文, 二來可以訓練他們上台講話的膽量. 傑升班上每個禮拜老師都會訂一個題目然後小朋友都要到台上去演講.雖然只是短短的幾分鐘,可是也是慢慢的訓媡小朋友的膽量.後來老師就要求小朋友開始背他們演講或朗讀的內容.所以我比較不擔心傑升的演講.

今年是煒勳第一次參加演講,我怕他背不起來或是上台後會怯場,所以我和煒勳寫了很短的內容,就只介紹我們家. 我們每天開車時,我唸一句煒勳就跟我唸一句.幾個禮拜下來煒勳慢慢的就背了下來,可是大部份時候他會忘記某些部份需要我提題他.

終於到了演講比賽當天,我們在路上讓小朋友再做最後一次覆習,2個小朋友都說的很好. 傑升那一組傑升排第五個,所以肖恩帶著錄影機去幫傑升錄並加油. 我本來要上課,結果第一班的小朋友都全去看演講比賽了,所以我就跟著去看演講順便幫煒勳加油.

很多小朋友都講的頭頭事道可是一聽就知道是父母幫他們寫的詞.還有幾個小朋友怯場不想講話.試了幾次之後還是不講,可是大家都還是幫他們鼓掌加油.我看煒勳一點也不緊張,坐在那很輕鬆的看大家演講,我坐在他旁邊反而替他很緊張,怕他會怯場或忘詞.結果煒勳上台時講的不錯,沒有怯場,有點小聲也忘詞了.我還偷偷的比了幾個手勢提醒他.最後一次我不幫他比手勢結果他記起了他的台詞並順利的講完他的部份.哇,好感動哦.

比賽結束後爸爸說他錄傑升時出了點問題結果只錄了2秒鐘.我們便到隔璧教室請傑升再重新講一次.肖恩說傑升在比賽時都沒有弄那些手勢,要是有這樣比就更好了.我看了影帶後覺得很好笑,可以看的出來傑升在沒有人時就比較放的開還會加手勢,我們叫他比賽時如果加了手勢觀眾會覺得很可愛,可是他都不要.結果重新錄時卻又自己加了許多手勢,我想他大概是看了比賽後覺得加手勢比較好吧! 真是悶骚包一個.

2 個小朋友都表現的很好,我們上課後帶他們去吃冰淇淋稿賞他們的表現.

煒勳的內容:
"大家好,我是煒勳.今天我要演講的題目是: 我的家. 我的家有爸爸,媽媽,哥哥和我.爸爸每天上班很辛苦,媽媽在家照顧我們,哥哥是我的好朋友,我喜歡和哥哥一起玩遊戲. 明天是我的生日我就變成五歲了哦.我也有2隻猫叫做Colby 和 Sasah. Colby 很乖, 毛很長. Sasah 不乖, 常常跑到桌子上. 我愛我的家. 謝謝."

Wii Fit

2009-03-26T22:05:00.005-04:00

Sean had been wanted a Wii Fit for a long time, I told him that he got lots of toys already and doesn't need one. Sean's coworker said it's really fun and a good way to exercise while you play. His birthday is coming so it would be a birthday surprise for him. Turned out Meijer (one of the big grocery stores) had 3 units available, so we got one.

I was at a church leadership meeting the next day and Sean told me that they had a great time playing with the Wii fit and kids really love it. Khai showed me his running and he was so cute. Running with his toes and so excited about the game (Khai usually got so upset when playing video games because he wasn't very coordinate) . We had Khai run 2 rounds and his cheeks was so red. Xander was very good at skiing. Both kids went to bed very easily that night. I tried few games after they went to bed and they are really fun. I'm glad that we got this game.

p.s. You can click on "HD" on the lower right, then the picture quality would be nicer.

肖恩跟我說想要買Wii Fit, 可是我跟他說他已經有好多玩具了, 不要再買了. 最近他同事跟他說這遊戲很好哦, 一邊玩一邊又可以運動. 於是肖恩叫我每天打電話問店裡有沒有貨. 我每天打電話問人家有沒有貨都問的很不好意思, 再想他生日也快到了,那如果有貨就買一台送給他當驚喜好了. 吔, 結果竟然真的找到一台吔.

我隔天有事情所以肖恩在家裡陪小朋友. 打電話跟我說小朋友們很喜歡這些遊戲, 他們玩了好幾個鐘頭, 煒勳玩的很高興(煒勳通常玩電動玩具都會很沮喪因為他的手沒像哥哥那麼靈活). 我回來後煒勳秀給我看, 他跑的好可愛哦. 我們發現他全程都是用腳尖跑吔, 跑了2次下來, 他整個臉頰紅通通的好像是一個蘋果. 傑升也有玩滑雪. 嗯,當晚2個小朋友很快就睡著了. 我等他們睡著後也來試試看, 還真的很好玩. 一邊玩一邊運動哦.

註: 看影片時如果按右下角的HD,影片品質會比較好哦.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-03-20T23:27:00.004-04:00

I've seen so many nice video clips from family and friends' blogs, but our camera took really crapy videos and I never dare to put them on the blog. This Valentine Sean gave me a surprise present: a pocket HD video recorder (Sean found a great deal). It's small and light, but takes great videos, connects to computer easily and you can view the videos on the TV immediately. I took a try while kids were building a snow man with my neighbor. I love it and thanks a bunch to Sean. I was going to edit the video on my computer and wondering why it moves so slow. Figured out that my old crapy computer couldn't handle the video, so I'll post the videos later.

我很喜歡看大姐放影片在她步落格上, 一來可以看到小黑寶寶成長的狀況,二來可以看到背景裡有熟悉的家裡角落或是家人的聲音. 可惜我們的相機錄影品質很爛, 所以我都沒有放影片上來. 今年情人節時, 肖恩送了我一個驚喜: 一台HD品質的口袋錄影機; 他知道我很想放影片在我們的步落格上, 他剛好看到這台錄影機在大拍賣就買給我. 它很小很薄, 可是拍出來的品質很好. 我趁著鄰居和小朋友們造雪人時試拍, 在電視上看的品質很好, 可是一拿到我的電腦要修改時不知道為什麼都變成了慢動作, 可是聲音還是和平常一樣...想了想, 原來是我的電腦太爛了, 不能負荷看影片. 好吧, 請大家再等一下下, 讓我用肖恩的電腦修改再放上來吧.

Happy Chinese New Year 農曆新年快樂

2009-01-25T21:16:00.013-05:00

Waiting for their turn. 等待上場.

This year is the year of Ox and as usual, the kids' Chinese school held a Chinese New Year Party to celebrate the Chinese New Year with families. It started with games that kids can have fun with then the program starts with the Lion dancing and performances prepared by each class. Xander's class presented an Aboriginal Dance this year, one parent designed and made all of their costumes. Aren't they cute? They did a really good job of the dance.

Good brothers 哥倆好

Time to shine 正式表演了.

I'm Khai's teacher this year and was worried that Khai wouldn't get on the stage. He fell asleep last year while watching other classes' performances, so this year we came prepared with cookies and water in my bag. As we predicted, Khai fell asleep. We put the cookies on his lips and asked if he wants cookies, wow, he woke up immediately and enjoyed his cookies with bright eyes. That's one way to motivate him to perform and you can tell whose kid he is. Khai also stood on stage with a smiling face and dancing very hard. We were very happy with our kids and so proud of them.

Khai look at the front please! 煒勳請看前面.

Dinner followed the show, there were more than 12 dishes on the table and you can tell Pei-I was very happy about it. There were so many left overs so school sold boxes for $1 each, people went to pick items that they like. That's a good idea to get rid of left overs and raise money for school. We collected more than $100 for the left overs.

It was a very fun party and we had lots of fun. We arrived home late with 2 fell asleep kids. Happy Chinese New Year.

Shining star 煒勳表演"下雨"

今年一月是中國新年, 所以中文學校照例舉行新年晚會和許多家庭一起慶祝. 晚會六點才開始, 可是學校在下午2 點時就準備了許多遊戲要讓小朋友們玩, 也有熱心的家長做了珍珠奶茶及其他台灣小點心來義賣. 甚至還有猜謎活動呢. 我們家一大早就先去中國餐廳吃些養茶再於12點多去學校幫忙布置會場.

傑升班上的家長們很圑結, 很有共識. 他們班常常有聚會, 每家帶一樣菜到某個家庭去聚餐. 很多媽媽都很會煮菜, 所以每次聚會都可以吃到很多道地的台灣菜. 今年其中一位爸爸說他志願幫傑升班上做山地舞服裝. 他親自設計了衣服, 在一次聚會裡還特地幫每一位小朋友量身做衣服吔! 媽媽們就約定下一個聚會裡大家坐著縫鈴鐺. 有幾位能幹的媽媽幫班上設計舞步. 當晚諸位爸媽們就犠牲上台表演高山青並錄起來, 這樣小朋友才會記得舞步.

煒勳去年沒有上台表演因為他在等別人上場時睡著了, 被叫醒的結果就是他鬧脾氣不想上台表演. 今年我們怕同樣的情形會發生, 所以聰明的媽媽我就準備了餅乾及水放在我的袋子裡. 結果新年晚會表演當天, 煒勳果然如預期的睡著了. 我馬上拿餅乾放在他嘴吧上問他要不要吃餅乾. 哇, 他眼睛馬上張開並開心的吃著餅乾. 嗯,可以想像這個小孩是誰家的.

傑升和煒勳都很開心的上台表演也表演的很好, 看的我們都很替他們驕傲及感動. 平常辛苦的練習總算有回報了.

表演結束後有晚餐, 我今年是當老師, 所以學校送了我一張票. 我們全家留下來吃飯. 今年的抽奬我們家抽到了2 份小奬: 襪子和滑鼠墊. 晚餐還剩了很多, 我們又開始義賣. 一個外帶的盒子一塊美金, 很多人都來搶著帶菜回家. 我們這樣賣竟也賣了100多美金.

小孩們看完電影, 大人們也幫忙收拾完會場. 我們一家人於10點多疲倦的回家. 好累可是好幸福的一天. 祝大家新年快樂, 萬事如意.

Korean restaurant 帶公婆去吃韓國菜

2009-01-25T20:46:00.007-05:00

Korean side dishes . We cooked on the table. 韓式小菜

Parents mentioned that they enjoyed their Korean dishes when they were in Hawaii visiting Tim and Diann. Thinking we have to get kids out of the house after the carpet was cleaned and there was a yummy Korean restaurant that we loved in Ann Arbor, we took everyone to there right after the cleaning company took off.

We ordered the same dish that we ordered before: BBQ tray with lobster tail, 2 lunch bento and a noodles dish for kids.

Table fulled with dishes. 滿桌佳餚.

Our waitress carried 2 sets of side dishes for us, then came our main dishes. Can you see how many dishes are on our table? We all enjoyed the BBQ and each other's company. It was fun to cook your dinner on the table. We shared our complimentary desert--3 colored ice cream and the mango flavor was yummy. Look at all the empty dishes, are we pigs or what? No, in fact we packed most of them home.

Empty dishes ..空碗盤.

我們想說清潔公司洗完地毯後要把小朋友們帶出去, 這樣地毯才不會又馬上髒掉. 公婆有提過他們以前去夏威夷時有去吃韓國菜, 他們很喜歡. 那剛好我們知道有家韓國菜我們很喜歡, 那就帶全家去那裡吃吧.

門口放了便當的樣本, 看起來很好吃. 我們點了2個便當, 1 個烤肉及麵. 侍者給了我們2套小菜, 哇, 整個桌子已經堆滿了許多盤子, 再加上主菜, 沒位置了啦, 趕快吃吧. 公婆們對蒸蛋很有興趣,很燙可是很軟很好吃. 大家都吃的好飽, 東西吃不完的帶回家吧, 晚餐再繼續吃. 肚子好飽哦. 侍者送我們一個三色冰淇淋, 其中的芒果冰淇淋很好吃. 我們特地去中國超市又買了一個芒果冰淇淋給公婆吃.

Remodeling projects 房子小裝潢

2009-01-03T17:40:00.018-05:00

We've been thinking of switching our living room and family room plus paint the living room, change our valance, add curtains in the family room and have the carpet cleaned while Sean's parents are here to help. Sean went to Home Depot and picked up some color samples, we all agreed that the Green Tea color would be nice in our room. The boys took down our Christmas tree the day after Christmas while mommy and I went to stores. By the time when we got home, the Christmas stuff was pretty much gone and the living room was ready to paint.

After lunch, we put the blue tape around the room and got the room ready for our primer (the sales lady added greet tea color in our primer already, so we just need to paint the primer and one coat of the paint). It went really well and fast with parents' help. We finished painting the room the next day and were really pleased with the new color.

Before painting and cleaning the sofa. 油漆及洗沙發前.

Patching the wall. 油漆前先把洞補平.

Relocated piano .把鋼琴放這邊吧!

We had our house for 4 years and tried to clean our carpets with parents' wet vacumm 2 years ago, but the dirty spots were still there. Therefore we decided to hire Stanley Steamer to clean the carpet and sofas. They sprayed some detergents on the sofas and floor first and then hooked up the hose outside the house and their truck. It was really interesting to see how clean the surface was after he cleaned the area. The gentleman even showed us the difference before and after the cleaning. Now our house look so clean and nice after all the cleaning and rearranging furnitures.

New finished living room. 油漆及清洗後的新客廳.

Now our final project is making curtains. We went to Joann and picked up the material, it ended up cheaper than buying from store with the 40% off coupon and clearance sale, and it's the color and style that we like. Mom cut the materials while I sew them, she suggested to add some plastic grocery bags in the valances to make them look puffy. We liked that idea. Mom then sewed the curtains for the family room while we put up our new desk that was a Christmas present from parents.

Cleaning in process. This is our high traffic area and is very dirty. 我去買菜時都是從外面直接走過這裡到廚房, 通常大家也都是先進這裡, 所以你看前頭這部份都特別黑. 中間白白的就是洗乾淨的, 清潔公司要讓我們比較一下.

Finished curtains with new desk. 做好的窗廉及新的書桌.

Doesn't our new rooms look so nice? Thanks a bunch to mom and dad.

我們很久以前就想要對換客廳及居家室, 趁著公婆要來我們家玩就順便油漆客廳, 請人來清洗地毯及做窗廉. 聖誕節隔天男生們待在家裡把聖誕樹收起來及整理客廳, 婆婆和我跑了好幾家店去看有沒有已做好的窗廉及買了油漆. 我們決的已做好的窗廉不是太貴就是不好看, 所以決定自己做.

等我們到家後, 客廳已經準備的差不多了. 先貼上藍色的膠帶這樣油漆才不會跑出界, 舖上塑膠布開始油漆囉. 總共要漆2 層才能把原來的顏色很漂亮又均勻的蓋過去. 由於公婆的幫忙, 我們在24小時內就把2 層油漆弄完了. 我們很喜歡新挑的這個顏色.

再來呢就是要清洗地毯了. 我們已經在這家裡住了4 年了, 2 年前公婆有帶特別的洗地毯機器來我家幫我們洗地, 可是髒髒的地方還是無法洗乾淨. 報導上建議住家的地毯應該每12到18個月就讓專業的洗地毯公司來洗(或是每隔一陣子就自己洗), 想說地毯真的很髒而沙發上也都是小朋友們小時候嘔吐或撒水的痕跡, 就請專業的來洗吧. 專業的洗地毯公司來了後開始噴清潔劑, 然後接上水管就有熱熱的水開始蒸氣及洗地了. 好神奇哦, 吸管一經過的地方都好乾淨. 我們家現在一樓變的好乾淨又好漂亮就像是新家一樣. 真是謝謝公婆的幫忙. 由於地毯要等到24小時之後才會全乾又不可能叫小朋友都不要經過客廳及居家屋, 所以我們就帶公婆到中文學校那附近去吃韓國菜.

Merry Christmas 聖誕節快樂

2009-01-02T13:23:00.013-05:00

A church friend who just moved to our ward called us the night before Christmas Eve and asked if we can watch her 5 kids on Christmas Eve, so her husband could have the kidney stone removed. With parents and Sean staying home and nothing planned that day, I told her that we definitely will watch her kids. After picking up the kids from friend's house, mommy and I made carmel popcorn ball while kids were watching a movie. Kids loved their new treat. Kids and us then went out and delivered goodies to our neighbors. We sang songs when the door was opened, but then decided to shorten our song for the next door because the first one was way too long.

Our friend called and said she had to take her husband back to the E.R. due to the unbearable pain. She showed up an hour later to take the kids home for dinner and planned to head to the hospital again that night.

We cooked mommy's clam chowder and Sean's Manhattan clam chowder that night. It was fun to have 2 different kind of chowders for dinner. We went to the hospital after dinner, Sean and dad gave that brother a blessing. He was released to go home few hours after our visit that night.

It was a very long day for us, but we felt very good inside because we helped that family and we were having so much fun with their beautiful children. We were so grateful that parents and Sean were home and helped entertaining kids.

On Christmas morning, parents and us came down first to see kids' exciting expressions. Kids were amazed to see so many presents under the tree. We opened presents one by one and parents were having fun seeing what kind of toys kids got. Sean got an iHome station, Xande got a boom box + legos, Khai got a Leap Frog Tag + legos, Pei-I got a food mill, some clothes and lotions. Daddy got a wallet and a blanky that was made by Pei-I and mommy got a winter hat.

We enjoyed grandma's cinnamon roll for breakfast. Yum.

在聖誕夜前夕, 一位剛搬到我們這的教會朋友打電話問我們可不可以看她的5個孩子因為她先生有膽結石要在隔天動手術拿掉. 尤於我們在隔天沒有安排任何活動, 問了一下肖恩跟公婆, 他們都說沒有問題, 所以就答應了這位朋友. 當小朋友們在看卡通時, 婆婆教我做焦糖爆米花, 趁它們黏黏的時候趕快弄成一粒粒的大球..看完了卡通小朋友就有現成的爆米花球可以吃了.

我們家通常會在聖誕節時做一些點心送給朋友及附近的鄰居. 剛好有這麼多小朋友就順便出去外面送點心好了. 我們想好了要唱那一首歌, 可是在唱完第一家後就決定要換短一點的, 因為第一首歌太長了, 人家的門要開好久,暖氣都跑出來了..唱完了4 家後再回家繼續玩別的遊戲. 餵了他們一些簡單的午餐後就讓他們看另一部電影.

朋友打電話說她本來要載她老公回家然後來接小朋友們回家, 可是她一到家後老公疼的受不了, 又轉頭回急診室. 一個小時後她滿臉倦容的來接小朋友. 邀她留下來吃晚餐, 她說要趕快帶小朋友回家吃些東西然後要回醫院去看老公. 真是可憐吶.

聖誕夜婆婆煮了她每年必煮的濃蛤蜊湯, 我們喝了湯後決定去醫院看這家人...他們帶了一些禮物到醫院和他們的爸爸一起拆禮物...公公及肖恩給了他一個祝福, 結果他竟然幾個小時後就可以回家了.

我們當晚回家後大家都累的攤在沙發上, 雖然是很忙的一天可是我們覺得很充實很快樂, 因為我們很高興朋友請我們幫忙照顧小孩. 我們搬了很多次家, 能瞭解他們的感受. 剛搬到一個人生地不熟的地方, 遇到緊急的事情只能找教會的教友幫忙. 能在聖誕夜做一件好事是非常愉快的感受. 我們也機會教育小朋友能夠幫助別人是一件好事.

到了聖誕節當天, 大人們先到樓下去坐著等著看小朋友們驚喜的表情. 他們一下樓看到樹下有許多禮物都好興奮..我們一次拆一個禮物以便觀看那人收到什麼禮物. 今年肖恩收個一個喇叭, 肖升有一個收音機和積木, 煒勳有教育玩具和積木, 我收到了一些衣服, 乳液和做罐頭用的器具. 我做了一個毛毯給公公, 也買了一個帽子給婆婆..能夠和家人一起過聖誕節真好.

Parents came to visit. 公婆來找我們玩.

2009-01-02T10:47:00.007-05:00

This year my parents-in-law decided to take the train and come to our house to celebrate Christmas and New Year with us. This is the first time that we have family come over to celebrate Christmas and we are very excited about parents' coming. We cleaned Khai's room very good and threw away bunch of warn out toys and books. The house was all clean and ready for parents to arrive.

Parents' train took off from Salt Lake City and the train was delayed 2 hours due to the bad weather. We kept calling parents on and off to make sure that they were doing fine. Parents said their room in the train was small but was able to get some sleep. People on the train was very nice to them and their meals was covered. They were enjoying their view from the big window. There was a big storm so the train was stopped at Iowa due to bad conditons of the track. Parents was late for their connection at Chicago at that point. 6 hours past the estimated arrival time at Chicago, the Amtrak company sent parents on the bus at mid night heading to Jackson. They arrived Jackson at 5:15 am and Sean went to the station to pick them up. Yeah, parents finally arrived our house safely. After short greeting, we sent both exhausted parents to bed. That night we found out on the news that the train they supposed to catch from Chicago was stopped for 11 hours due to bad weater and system failure. It must be a blessing that they somehow skipped tha connection.

今年我公婆決定要來我們家和我們一起過聖誕節及新年, 因為他們很想看孫子們拆禮物時欣喜的表情. 於是呢我們就來個全家大掃除, 把煒勳的房間整理的非常乾淨, 順便整理掉舊的及壞掉的書和玩具.

公婆開了3個小時到鹽湖城去坐火車, 他們買的是有床舖的私人房間. 很小的一個房間有床, 一個大窗子可以看外面. 公婆說車上的人對他們很好, 有水及柳澄汁讓你喝. 三餐也都包含在票價裡了. 可是他們來的那幾天正好碰上大風雪, 在幾個地方火車被迫停下修理鐵軌. 他們本來要接芝加哥6點的火車, 可是火車誤點的很嚴重根本就搭不上下一班火車..當他們於半夜抵達芝加哥後, 鐵路公司幫他們安排坐野雞車到我們家附近..肖恩再去接他們回來...簡短的寒暄後就請公婆先去休息..幸好他們平安抵達我們家...當天晚上看新聞時才知道他們本來要搭的下一班火車因為天氣不好及系統出問題, 竟然在半路中停了11個小時, 還不准乘客下火車呢. 還好公婆沒有搭上那班火車.

Who's your good friend? 誰是你的好朋友?

2008-12-17T21:58:00.004-05:00

Last week at Chinese school we talked about good friends. I had the class come to the front and I asked if they have any good friends and what their friends names are. Most of the kids answered my questions, and talked about their friends. Khai was tired, so he sat on the chair in the back alone. I asked the class again who has a good friend, Khai raised his hand and I asked who's his good friend, and he pointed at me. The moms in that class all said "oh......", my eyes were watery and I said thank you then hurried and moved on to the next subject before my tears came. He was so sweet and made me so proud of having him as my son. It was my highlight that evening.

上禮拜五在中文學校主題是"好朋友". 我請小朋友到前面來並問他們有沒有好朋友, 叫什麼名字, 都跟好朋友玩什麼? 有些小朋友就乖乖的回答我的問題. 煒勳那時很累所以他自己坐在後面的座位上, 我再問一次還有沒有人有好朋友. 煒勳舉起了他的手, 我問他的好朋友是誰, 他什麼都沒說就指著我..頓時全班的媽媽們都說"喔....." 我眼眶一熱趕緊趁淚水流下來前跟他說聲謝謝並轉移話題. 那時候我覺得好溫暖好貼心, 覺得有個貼心孩子的我真是幸福. 整個晚上都覺得很快樂. 做媽媽的只要小朋友做任何小小一件好事都會很感動, 是不是越老就越容易動情呢?

1st wet snow in winter 08 今年第一場雪

2008-12-02T21:59:00.000-05:00

Snow man and woman. 2 個雪人

Kids' snow castle. 小朋友的雪堡.

Snowman-Xander 傑升雪人

Snowman Khai 煒勳雪人

This weekend had been cold and we got about 4 inches of snow (kind of early to have snow for MI this year) . The snow was wet and good for building snowman. Kids and I all bundled up and went out to play snow. We used whatever craft we had in the garage and porch to built these 2 snow man and woman. We had a really good time of building the snowmen and playing snow outside.

這個週末下了很多雪, 是今年冬天的第一場. 尤於這次的雪較溼很適合做雪人, 我們等到哥哥下課後回到家就迫不及待的全副武裝準備到外面去玩雪. 先堆起雪人再叫小朋友躲到雪人後面來拍張雪人照再完成我們的雪人. 在冰箱裡找到2 個柳丁就當雪人的大眼而袋子就當帽子囉, ...吔, 萬聖節還有剩下的南瓜就拿來當另一個雪人的頭好了..嗯, 看了看我們的雪人還真可愛..

小朋友們在旁邊很興奮的堆雪堡要跟我玩打雪球, 可是已經太晚了我的腳都快結冰了就約他們下次再玩. 小朋友們在外面玩的很高興, 晚上早早的就去睡覺了. 有沒有人要來我們家玩雪呀?

Happy Thanksgiving 2008 感恩節

2008-12-01T20:41:00.000-05:00

Stuffing.

This year I presented a turkey project for my class before the Thanksgiving, kids loved it very much and had so much fun. A parent, whose husband just came to the State to study, asked me how to cook turkey. Sean and I thought it would be fun to invite them over for Thanksgiving since they don't know how to cook turkey nor celebriated the holiday before. We were surprised this family accepted our invitation because it was an hour drive for them.

Sean and I went over our menus and made sure that we have every ingredients that we needed. We started our annuel turkey recipe that required to put the turkey in the brine over night. After a good night sleep, we woke up happily and started cooking while kids watching the Macy's parade.

Turkey on a plate, good job Sean. 肖恩把切好的火雞漂亮的放在盤子上.

Our guests arrived at 12:30 pm and were very excited about the feast. They even took pictures of pretending they were cooking all the meals. They were so cute. Everyone was starving so we said a prayer and started the feast. Sean and I served turkey, stuffing, mashed potato and gravy, baked sweet potato and our guests brought salad. Everything tasted so yummy (especially the turkey, so tender and moist) and we were so full. We were pretty sure that our guests love our meal because they filled their plates at least twice.

Cute pictures. 朋友的立可拍相機拍的相片

This family had a very cool / cute camera that the pictures will come out immediately with cute design papers. She took our family pictures and kids' group pictures and gave us as a gift. It was very fun to have them over.

Kids and us were so tired after eating the turkey, we all had a really nice nap. It's fun to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends.

我想要在感恩節前在中文學校在一個勞作, 請教了煒勳的幼稚園老師有沒有什麼簡單的勞作, 她建議我做火雞, 就只要買馬鈴薯,羽毛, 牙籤跟糖果就好了. 小朋友們果然都做的很開心. 有一個媽媽他們全家8 月份時剛從台灣搬到密西根州, 老公在唸研究所, 問我怎麼煮火雞. 我給了她食譜, 可是後來想想應該邀請他們全家來我們家吃火雞應該他們根本就不知道怎麼煮火雞又沒過過感恩節.. 肖恩建議我邀請他們, 而他們也很興奮的答應了我們的邀請, 雖然他們要開一個小時來我們家.

感恩節的前一天我們就開始確定有所有需要的材料並開始用各種香料及雞湯替火雞泡澡, 這樣火雞肉烤起來才會多汁又嫩. 我也先把南瓜泒做好, 這樣隔天才不會太忙.

感恩節當天我們睡懶覺, 八點多才起床, 我們開始準備做火雞大餐並開電視讓小朋友看遊行. 到了12點半, 我們的客人準時到達. 他們已經很迫不及待的想要吃火雞大餐了. 還剩下幾樣菜沒有做好, 他們看到了就說要幫忙並開始照相假裝所有的食物都是他們煮的以滿足自己的幻想. 今年我們煮了火雞, 烤蕃薯, 馬鈴薯泥及醬汁還有沙拉, 所有的東西都好好吃尤其是火雞又嫩又多汁. 我們的客人也很喜歡, 我怎麼知道呢? 因為他們至少吃了2盤.

飯後客人就拿出了她的立可拍相機..一按相機, 相片就馬上跑出來可是最可愛的是它的相紙每張都不一樣, 都很可愛...說是日本製的..她幫我們拍了好幾張以留做紀念. 客人走了後我們的肚子好飽也累垮了(小朋友們是玩的太瘋了), 睡了一個好甜的午覺. 嗯, 感恩節還是要有朋友來比較好玩.

Grandparents Feast 2008 阿公阿嬤特別日

2008-11-28T11:59:00.001-05:00

Silly boys. 2 個小儍瓜

I love doing projects with my family.

跟爸媽一起做勞作最好玩了.

I'm going to start, o.k.? 我要開始吃囉.

Yummy...好好吃哦.

Khai's school holds a Grandparents Feast a few days before Thanksgiving. At the feast grandsparents will do 3 craft projects with their grandchild, then have a light lunch. School also holds a bake sale on the side of the lunch room to earn extra money. Parents are encouraged to bring goodies for the bake sale. Since both sets of kids' grandparents live so far away, Sean and I usually are the special guests that day. Sean decided to take Wednesday off for the feast.

This is our 4th year in the row to attend the feast, Sean and I already have a plan. Drop off our goodies and Khai in the morning, head to stores to buy some Christmas presents, come back to school 15 minutes early to look at the goodies.
We finished our lunch very quick (because we ate quickly, not because we were there the first) and decided to help vacume the classroom, after people were done with their lunch then we helped cleaning the lunch room. We had a really nice feast and picked up a bucket of buck eye candy + fudge at the bake sale for our treats.

傑升跟煒勳的學前班學校在感恩節的前幾天都會舉辦一個"阿公阿嬤/外公外婆特別日". 在這天小朋友會跟他/她的阿公阿嬤外公外婆們做3個勞作然後去吃一個簡單的午餐. 學校也會要求家長們捐獻一些小點心來賣, 這樣可以幫學校募款. 由於小朋友兩邊的阿公阿嬤都住的很遠, 所以每年都是肖恩跟我做代表去參加這個特別日. 今年肖恩決定今天(禮拜三)不上班, 要偷懶一天. 明天是感恩節而公司禮拜五不上班, 所以他可以有5天連續假日.

這已經是我們連續第四年參加阿公阿嬤特別日, 所以我們很清楚流程甚至準備好了計劃表: 早上先帶煒勳去上課及交給學校我們做的餅乾, 然後剩空檔時間趕快去幾家店買些聖誕節禮物. 15分鐘提早到達學校才可以看看販賣的點心裡有什麼好吃的東西. 接著趕快去做最少人在那的那個勞作....我們跟煒勳都很快地就把勞作做好了, 其他的阿公阿嬤們因為很珍惜跟小孫子相處的時間都慢慢細心的完成他們的勞作. 他們也比較老所以都慢慢來..結果我們家是第一個去吃午餐的.

吃完了午餐發現大部份的人都還在吃飯, 就先去幫老師吸教室的地然後再回來把椅子放好..挑了幾樣小點心回家吃並準備清理家裡以迎接明天的火雞大餐.

Halloween 08

2008-11-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

I'm ready to get more candies. 準備去要糖菓囉.

Hay Ride. 哥哥班上可以坐在稻草堆的車上.

My handsome boys.

Trick-or-Treat. Anybody home? 有人在家嗎? 我們來要糖菓囉.

This year we were planning on dressing Xander as an Indiana Jones, so Pei-I went to second hand stores and tried to find an old brown leather jacket. No luck, changed plan, I hurried and went to the store and found Xander a cowboy outfit. Khai wanted to be a fire fighter, so he got to wear Xander's costume from last year.

Khai was the busiest person on the Halloween at our family this year. He had a trick-or-treat party at his preschool, then we had to hurry and go to Xander's school for Xander's party, later on we had the official trick-or-treating at our neighborhood.

khai's classmates had many cute costumes, such as astronaut with a monster big helmet, handmade scarecrow outfit, hand-draw skelton outfit...They circled around the building and got some goodies from people in the church, had their snacks then headed for the games. Khai's teacher set up many stations with games and prizes next to it. Kids were having fun playing games and collecting goodies.

Khai and Pei-I headed to their car immediately after the party (finished around 12:00 pm), grabbed a sandwitch and drove 30 minutes to Xander's party because the trunk-or-treat started at 1:00pm. It felt like Khai and I were modern Cinderellas, needing to hurry and go somewhere else right after the party. We made it to Xander's school in time, kids were getting changed into their costumes and ready to go out. This year school had lots of cars parked on the parking lot to hand out candies. Kids were doing so good asking for candies and remembering their manners. Their buckets were so full that I had to help them carry. We played more games in the classroom and ready to go home for a nap.

This year we had a really nice warm weather for Halloween and it's Friday night, so we anticapte lots of kids will show up for trick-or-treating. We headed out at 6:00 pm and started with our neighbors first. This 2 old couples who live 2 houses next to us, always gave big candies to the kids that they know and we always make sure that we stopped by their house first. kids were having lots of fun asking for candies. We brought our backpack and emptyed kids' buckets when they got too heavy, this way they can walk farther. Sean and Pei-I were having so much fun trick-or-treating with Xander and Khai every year, they knew that not much longer kids will want to go out with their friends instead of hanging around with their parents.

When we got really close to our house, Pei-I hurried went home and turned on lights waiting for people to come. Sean would check all the candies that kids got tonight and dump the candies that we don't like into our candy tray. We had some leftover candies from the trunk-or-treat at church + the candies that we didn't like from tonight and wasn't sure if we need to open the second big bag of candies. Strangly, not many people showed up. it was only 7:40 pm and it's Friday night + nice weather, we only got about 40 people that night. Didn't even need to open second big bag, I guess I'll return it to the store then.

We had lots of fun at Halloween and can't wait for next time.

今年本來打算在萬聖節讓傑升當印地安娜瓊斯, 所以要去2手店找舊的黃色皮外套..找不到, 那算了, 趕快去店裡買衣服吧...傑升挑了一件牛仔裝, 很可愛還有牛仔帽. 煒勳說他要當消防員, 所以他就接哥哥去年的衣服穿.

今年萬聖節煒勳是最忙的人, 他要連趕2 場派對再加上晚上還要出去要糖菓. 當天在學校裡煒勳的學校有辦派對. 小朋友先一個一個到前面跟大家講他/她是裝扮成什麼, 大家來個大合照再在學校繞一週, 教會裡的人會發給他們小東西. 吃完了點心後再去旁邊玩遊戲. 老師分了10幾個區, 每區都有一個遊戲及禮品. 小朋友們玩的很高興.

我們2個人等到遊戲玩完後就馬上衝出學校準備開到哥哥的學校續第二攤. 哥哥班上1點就到出去要糖菓了, 幸好我們趕上了. 今年學校有很多家長把車子開到草坪上來樂捐糖菓(叫做 trunk-or-treat), 這樣小朋友在很短的距離內就可以要到很多糖菓. 大家很有秩序的排隊要糖菓而天氣也很晴朗. 繞了一圈下來, 兄弟倆的盒子都沈甸甸的, 好有成就感.. 好吧, 下課了趕快回家去補個眠, 晚上好玩的才要登場呢....

傍晚吃完飯, 6 點就準時出門. 我們隔壁有一對老夫婦, 他們會特別準備較大的糖菓給他們認識的小孩, 所以我們每年都會先去他們家要糖. 爸爸跟媽媽也揹了背包及帶水, 如果小朋友的盒子變的太重了就可以將糖菓倒進我們的背包, 這樣他們就可以走比較遠一點而不用提很重的盒子. 小朋友長大了所以今年可以走遠一點, 記得3 年前他們只走了一點點就喊累...

在快接近到我們家時, 我都會先跑回家去開燈, 這樣人家才知道你在家而來要糖菓. 上個禮拜在教會也有給糖菓還剩一些, 就先用這些吧...肖恩到家後都會先檢查糖菓, 看有沒有被打開過或是看起來很可疑的糖菓, 他把不喜歡的糖菓放進給別人的盒子裡....想說今天天氣這麼好又是禮拜五, 應該會有很多人來要糖吧....很奇怪哦, 大約只有40幾個人來要糖, 我連第二包新的糖菓都沒有拆呢...我在想也許是因為我們回到家時已經7點40分了, 所以大部分的人都已經路過我們家了...也好啦, 那就把第二包糖菓拿去退吧....

好玩的萬聖節, 弟弟一直在問什麼時候才又會有萬聖節...

My next door neighbors who are very nice to us. 隔壁的鄰居, 對我們很好.

I can't get it into the loop. 我一直投不進吔.

10-20-08 Xander's birthday 傑升的生日

2008-10-21T17:48:00.000-04:00

Can I have one more? 我可以再吃一個嗎

My friends love my cake. 我同學都很喜歡我的蛋糕吔.

Isn't this cake look so cute? 很有萬聖節氣氛的蛋糕

The finished products. 做好的蛋糕.

Xander's birthday is really close to Halloween and we always find cute Halloween cup cake ideas from Better Home magazine every year. This year Xander picked the bat cup cakes -- becasuse the rest of them are too hard and take too much time to make them. Both kids were having fun decorating the cakes for about 10 minutes and ran away to play something else. Sean came to make sure if that's o.k. that they didn't help me with the cakes and I responed it was much faster if they don't help me.

Khai and I went to Xander's school in the afternoon and helped passing out the cup cakes to his classmates. The class sang him happy birthday song and everyone gave him a birthday hug and wish. It was so sweet.

We decided to stay home and celebrate his birthday since it's school night. Xander chose macaroni cheese for dinner, easy enought that I can make it at home. Xander loved his presents, especially the DS games and the helicopter from grand parents. Khai was being very nice watcing his big brother opening all presents and didn't whine why he didn't get any.

Happy Birthday Xander.

傑升的生日離萬聖節很近. 每年當月的雜誌都會有一些做蛋糕的點子給萬聖節用, 所以我們常常可以做不同的蛋糕給傑升拿到學校分同學吃. 今年傑升選了蝙蝠, 因為其它的太難了, 媽媽不會也沒有時間做. 小朋友們很高興的幫忙做蛋糕, 可是小孩子的專注力還是有限, 過了一會兒他們就跑上樓找爸爸玩了. 爸爸問我說還需不需要小朋友們幫忙做蛋糕, 我小聲的跟爸爸講: "其實沒有他們的幫忙我反而比較快", 不想講太大聲以傷他們的自尊心.

隔天我和煒勳拿蛋糕到哥哥的學校去請同學吃, 在他們班上大家會圍一個圓圈, 先唱生日快樂歌, 然後每個人給壽星一個抱抱及祝福. 傑升有點害羞的讓大家輪流抱抱, 最後美麗的老師也抱了他一下. 然後傑升問他同學們要那種蛋糕他再分給大家, 煒勳坐在哥哥的桌子旁很高興的吃著蛋糕.

因為隔天還要上課, 所以我們沒有出去外面慶祝, 傑升選擇要吃起司麵, 還好這個我會做. 晚上早早的吃完了晚餐, 傑升很高興的拆他的禮物. 他很喜歡玩樂高積木, 所以煒勳及爺爺奶奶送他積木遊戲. 爸爸媽媽送他電子遊樂器的遊戲. 他玩的很高興, 而最難得的是煒勳整晚很乖的看哥哥拆禮物, 一點都沒有嫉妒他自己都沒有禮物. 嗯, 下次煒勳生日時也要對他特別好.

Harvest pumpkins 採收南瓜

2008-10-20T20:40:00.000-04:00

Khai is a very strong helper. 我一次可以拉3顆南瓜.

總共有14顆南瓜吔

Dry corn from our garden. 這些乾乾的玉米是我們種的.

The weather forcast predictes that there will be frost in the next few days, so I thought I'll harvest the pumpkins since their veins already brown and dead anyways. Cut the stem and put them on Khai's baby wagon, drag all of them to the front porch. Wow, we had 14 big and small pumpkins. We started with 8 seeds, thin 4 of them, just water them daily and didn't do much and see how many we got out of them. We really enjoy our pumpkin patch this year because their veins are everywhere and so long. Didn't want to hurt the pumpkins, so we don't mow these areas. Being lazy persons, we decided to expand our garden and plant more pumpkins--you probably already firgure out the real reason why we expand the garden. ^_*

We also planted some corns and only ate two big and sweet corns. That was it, we forgot to harvest them and now they are too old to eat. We'll save them until them turn brown, and we can use that as our Halloween decoration.

氣象預告估計這幾天會結霜. 我怕我們的南瓜會被凍壞又想它們的莖及葉子都已經變黃變枯了, 應該是可以採收了吧. 好, 叫煒勳跟我一起去採收南瓜. 割了蒂把南瓜放在小推車裡, 煒勳幫我把它們推到前門去. 我們數了數, 哇, 總共有14顆南瓜呢. 本來只種了8顆種子, 其中拔到了4顆要不然會彼此競爭而長不大..也就只有澆澆水, 拔些草而已, 竟然可以長這麼多. 種南瓜最大的好處就是它的莖很會長也有很多葉子, 所以有莖的地方我們割草時都會繞過..這樣子就讓我想到那我們明年就要把花園再擴大再種南瓜, 讓它的莖到處長這樣就不用割草了..聰明吧.

今年也種了玉米, 有吃到2顆又大又甜的玉米, 可是後來忘記採收等到要採時都已經太老了. 想說就先留著, 等到它們變黃變乾時還可以採下來當萬聖節的裝飾.

10/10/08 Khai's field trip 煒勳的戶外教學

2008-10-20T20:10:00.000-04:00

Hurry mom, I only have 5 seconds standing here. 媽媽快點啦,只有5秒鐘可以站這裡吶.
Explain how fire truck works 消防員解說設備.
Boy, this pants is so big..好大的褲子哦.
Firefighter's full gear 消防員的全副武裝.

This week is Khai's turn to go to fire station for his field trip. Fire fighter Larry explained what fire fighters do and how they use their station and fire truck. He opens most of the cabinets and shows us what tools inside and when to use them. Kids get to go inside the station and see where fire fighters eat, sleep, shower, and exercise. They keep their station very clean, they even wash their fire trucks every day. Kids also get to go inside the fire truck and have a seat on the chair--for 5 seconds. At the end they need a volunteer to put on fire fighter's full gear. I rais my hand immediately because I would like to know how heavy they are to put on the whole gears.

After adding pants, boots, jackets, helmet, and finally air tank, it's getting heavy. Fire fighter Larry even asked me to crow on the floor and shake kids' hands. This way kids would know that fire fighters are there to save them. I manage myself to get up w/o any help. The whole gears are so heavy and no wonder fire fighters need to be in their best shape. It was very fun to visit fire station, for kids and myself.

今天換煒勳要去消防局做戶外教學. 消防局離學校只有1分鐘車程.到了消防局,消防員為小朋友們解釋防火安全,發生火災/災變時要在那裡和家人碰面,及介紹消防車的各種設備. 我們後來進去觀看消防員們吃飯,睡覺,洗澡及運動的地方. 整個消防局好乾淨哦, 因為他們沒去救災時就待在局裡清理裡面. 他們甚至每天都洗消防車呢. 我懷疑他們的家裡是不是也都很乾淨--職業病. 後來消防員徵求一個志願者穿上全副消防衣, 我馬上伸手因為我很想體驗穿消防制服. 慢慢的穿上褲子,外套, 手套,面具及氧氣桶,哇,好重吔.要當一個消防員體能一定要在最好的狀態, 要不然你根本就走不了幾步就累了. 小朋友最後可以在消防車上坐一下並照張相, 要快哦, 只有5秒鐘的時間.

10/3/08 Xander's field trip. 傑升的戶外教學

2008-10-20T19:20:00.000-04:00

觀看果園如何挑選蘋果.
Hmmm..Yummy fresh donuts and cider.好香的甜甜圈跟新鮮蘋果汁.
Xander picked a good apple from the tree. 傑升也採了一顆大蘋果.
Fresh apple right from the tree. 煒勳從蘋果樹上現採的新鮮蘋果

This is Xander's first field trip in the first grade. The class is going to visit the orchard. We arrived the orchard and sat on the wagon to see the whole orchard. The lady explained how apple trees grow and invited us to pick an apple from the tree. It was fun to pick a fresh juicy apple right from the tree. It smells very sweet. We then went inside to see how they sort the apples and make apple cider. The pretty looking one can sell for very good price, the ugly ones and small ones will be used for making cider. Everyone had a chance to taste the fresh made donuts and cider. So yummy. It was a fun day. 2 friends of mine and myself just bought 8 bushels of apples and we made a bunch of apple sauce, few apple ciders and lots of apple butter. I'llshow you the pictures later.

今天是傑升一年級的第一次戶外教學. 我們到了果園後坐上推車,聽解說園介紹整個蘋果園.下車後解說園跟小朋友們介紹蘋果是怎麼來的並邀請我們去採一顆蘋果. 剛從樹上摘下的蘋果好香好甜哦.煒勳等不及了馬上就開始大啃大吃. 接著我們進去工廠看他們怎麼分蘋果.外表漂亮光滑的就可以賣較好的價錢,有黑點的或是太小的就賣便宜點或是做蘋果汁. 我們到戶外時, 他們端出了現做的甜甜圈及蘋果汁. 很好吃呢. 我前幾天才跟2位朋友買了好幾大袋的蘋果, 做了許多蘋果泥跟幾罐蘋果汁.做蘋果汁擠剩的果肉還可拿來做果醬.改天再拍照給大家看.

9/15 Jury duty

2008-09-28T21:28:00.000-04:00

Few weeks ago I received a jury duty summon, this is the first time that I got called for jury duty. Don't know how long would that take, I arranged friends to watch Xander and Khai after schools. I was hoping that this duty would only last few days.

After checked in, the clerk told us that this is a capital murder trial, not a good case to be called and it may last a while. In addition, there were 105 people today waiting to be picked in the jury box.

After an hour waiting, we finally got called into the court. It was very exciting because I got to experience the scene that I saw on TV all the time (jury sit in the box and a judge in the front + lawyers from both sides) but I was also very worried that the computer would pick my name. I've gone through many excuses in my head and none of them sounds very good. The clerk started calling names and the judge asked them questions followed by the lawyers from both sides. They kept excusing some juries and calling new people, and some of the excuses from the jury including: "I have short attention", "I have no pay check", "I've read this case from newspaper", "I have medical condition", "I know about guns"....Every time when they excused one person, the whole group knew they might be the next one to be called. It was 12:10 pm and the judge decided to let us have lunch break and come back at 1:30 pm.

We went back to the court room and heard more names got called. More people got excused again, the whole group even got sent back to the waiting room because the judge and lawyers have to discuss something. Finally after 6 hours of picking, the 14 jury were finalized and we got to leave the court room. It's time to check out and collect our money. The clerk told us that she never seen it take that long to pick jurys ever. I received $36.50 that day, what a cheap labor I am. I'm still on call for the rest of the week and luckly that was it for me. No more jury duty for the rest of the week..Yeah.

Updated: 2 weeks later I read from the newspaper that the jury cannot make a decision so the case will be back to the court in January again.

身為美國公民的義務之一就是要當陪審圑員. 法院的電腦會隨機抽取樣本然後寄通知提醒你什麼時候要去法院當陪審員.當我一接到通知單,一則以喜一則以憂..喜的是可以親身體會在電視上看到的情節,憂的是不曉得要弄多久, 小孩子下課後要找別人看會很麻煩.

辦事員跟我們說今天這件案子是謀殺案,不是個好案子而且可能會弄很久.過了一個多小時終於傳我們到法院裡去, 好興奮哦..一直祈禱電腦不要挑我的名字, 我左右2個男士都被叫到前面去了吔, 我不會那麼幸運吧...2邊的律師可以輪流問這14位陪審員.為了挑有利於己方的陪審員, 2邊律師可以毫無理由的叫任何一個陪審員離開. 電腦會再挑下一個人到前面去坐著.法官會問陪審員們一些問題及讓他們說出審判此案有何因難之處...陪審員們好多都有理由像是:"我注意力很短", "我公司不付我薪水","我要常常上廁所", "我在報上看過這則新聞且瞭解的很清楚" 有的沒有的..被告律師每有一個新陪審員被叫, 他都一定會向前詢問問題,所以整個過程弄的好久

法院說先解散,大家去吃飯, 1點半過後再來集合. 好吧, 那我就回車上吃三明治, 睡個午覺再回來吧..同樣的步驟:挑陪審員, 問問題, 說他/她不能當的理由...過了半個鐘頭之後終於選出了14位陪審員..哦,好險.回去待侯室準備領錢.今天在這待了一天,法院會付你一天的薪水加上從家裡來回的車馬費:$36.50.真是廉價勞工.辦事員告訴我們整個禮拜每天晚上都要打電話看隔天要不要去報到,幸好就這樣子不用再回去報到了..真是新的體驗.

題外話:前幾天剛看到報紙,2個禮拜之後陪審圑過了好幾天還是不能做出一致的決定,所以檢方還會再上訴.

First time teaching at Chinese School 9/12/08

2008-09-22T21:55:00.000-04:00

The Chinese school in Khai's class was missing a teacher. I've been with pre-school for 2 years while Xander and Khai were in the class plus I sub Khai's class 3 times last year, so I basically know how teacher presented her class. Furthermore, I know I can borrow all the teaching materials and toys from previous teacher, a Chinese school teacher therefore produced in our family.

I had to make sure that I got all the materials ready before 1st day of school. Kids and I had fun visiting dollar stores and picking up fun toys. I told Khai that he had to be very good in class because he is my little class helper from now on; Xander was jealous and said he wanted to be my class helper as well although he goes to different class than Khai.

I dressed in a nice shirt and picked up Wendy sandwitch to eat on the way to school; somehow a big drop of ketchup and mayo sauce dropped on my shirt. I went to school and hurried to wipe them off, too late, a big wet spot stayed there. Luckyly it was at the bottom of the shirt that I can tuck my shirt in the jeans and hide it with my teacher badge.

The class went pretty smooth and I got to meet new students with their parents. It was Chinese Full Moon Festival that night so we went out to see the moon and had some snacks. I think I did o.k. for the first night, but I was extremally hot. I don't know if it's the hot weather or I was too nervous. I heard another new teacher said she feel pretty hot as well. Must be both reasons.

話說今年中文學校,煒勳的那班還少中文老師,學校要家長們出來幫忙. 我想說我已經跟了傑升跟煒勳上了2年的課,很熟悉老師的上課方式再加上我可以跟老師借講義及上課用的道具,就大膽的跟學校遞了我的履歷表.經過了一小時的電話面談, 我很幸運的當上了中文學校的學前班老師.說實話可能是因為沒有其他家長想要出來教吧.

我告訴煒勳他現在開始要好好好表現,因為他是我的小班長. 傑升一聽到就很嫉妒的說他也要當我班上的小班長,可是哥哥你是上別班的吶. 好吧,那要正式上課之前先去買好玩的玩具,下課後可以發給小朋友. 2個小朋友這邊這個好,那邊那個好,還一直問回家可不可以馬上玩. 哥哥跟弟弟幫我把禮物包好準備開學送給小朋友們.

終於是上學的第一天了. 媽媽我穿著乾淨的衣服開車帶小朋友去上課. 路途中買了漢堡來吃, 啊,一大片的蕃茄醬加美乃滋掉到我衣服上了. 到了學校趕快去廁所用溼紙巾擦一擦, 呀, 擦不掉啦..還好, 溼的地方還蠻下面的,可以塞進褲子裡再加上個老師的掛牌就看不到了.

第一次正式當老師好緊張哦.我的臉好熱,說話也說的很快. 第一班的小朋友是3~4歲. 班上有一半的學生在家不講中文或父母是外國人/ABC, 看他們一臉漠然的看著我, 只好自己放慢速度慢慢教. 一轉眼, 第一班就這樣上完了.第二班是給4~5歲的小朋友,他們比較大一點比較快進入情況. 先簡短的自我介紹就跟他們講嫦娥奔月的故事及帶他們到外面去賞月..第一個禮拜就這樣混過去了.

Pei-I's birthday 9/5

2008-09-13T21:13:00.000-04:00

Yummy sushi 看起來不錯哦, 好多魚蛋.
My birthday tempura cheese cake 我的生日蛋糕
After the soda, 喝汽水後
Before the soda,喝汽水前
After the soda, 喝汽水後
Before the soda,喝汽水前
Take a picture before we ate them all..趁還沒吃前先照張相.

So today is my birthday and I get to choose a restaurant that I want to eat out. After thinking about it all day, I decided to go to Korean restaurant for korean BBQ where the waitress will serve you many yummy side dishes. We ordered the meats that we cooked on our table. Sean is the chef tonight. The meats were marinated in a special sauce and they all taste so good and tender. Xander and Khai love this place, Xander even require to come back here on his birthday.

My waitress serve us a tempura cheesecake, it's so yummy. The outside skin is deep fried but the cheese cake inside was so soft. MMM....What a special birthday dinner.

話說今天是我的生日,所以一整天就在想晚上到底要去吃什麼好,是要吃日本料理呢還是韓國菜? 肖恩3月生日時才去吃過日本料理,有點想念韓國菜的許多配菜,好吧,那就去吃韓國菜吧.

我們上次有來這家吃過,所以這次帶小朋友一起來吃.在上主菜之前,服務生會先給你十幾盤的小菜,有泡菜,海帶,蘿蔔乾及其他好好吃的小配菜.我們點了自己在桌上烤的韓國烤肉,店家的肉弄的很好吃,烤起來很軟,味道很好.小朋友都很好奇的看著我們烤肉.爸爸今晚是主廚..媽媽我呢就專心的吃飯.

服務生知道今晚是我的生日後要送我一個免費的點心, 是炸的起士蛋糕. 看起來不怎麼樣, 可是吃起來外表很酥,裏面的起士蛋糕很好吃呢.大家就這樣你一口我一口的很快就吃完了.傑升甚至還說他生日時也要來這家餐廳吃飯.

我們隔壁桌來了2位大陸人,一男一女,他們也跟我們一樣是點在桌上烤肉的.只見他們拚命的吃小菜及飯,小菜吃完了還請服務生再多給他們幾盤,總共要了2次哦..看他們烤肉及另一份晚餐也快吃完了.哇, 真會吃.

1st day of school 2008

2008-09-04T13:54:00.000-04:00

9/2/08

Xander's first day of school --1st grade.
今天是傑升上一年級的第一天.

Good brothers..Khai:" When can I go to Xander's school?"

煒勳: " 我甚麼時候可以去上哥哥的學校?"

New classroom, new friends. 新教室, 新老師.

My school has a new sign this year. 學校今年做了新的招牌.

Playing puzzles. 我在玩拚圖.

Mummy will you stay with me? 媽媽妳留下來陪我, 好不好?

Kids have been pretty excited about the starting of schools. This year Xander will be in the first grand and Khai will be in the pre-K class. This morning is the first morning in the past 3 months that Xander wakes up before 6:40 am and in a cheerful mood. He can't wait to see his friends and to meet his new teacher.

We all take Xander to school and wait outside in the line to chat with friends. Finally time to enter his new classroom. We help Xander find his desk and where his locker is. Khai wants to stay in the classroom with Xander but we tell him that he gets to come to Xander's school next year. I go home with Khai and have a very quiet day with only one child at home. I love the school starts.

9/3/08 Khai's first day in the pre-K

Today is Khai's big day to go to Pre-K. He is very excited that it's his turn to go to school. He is kind of nervous to stay in the class and wants me to stay with him. I assure him that I'll pick him up in few hours. When I pick him up few hours later, he is having fun playing with his friends. Lucky me get to go to store all by myself and enjoy quiet 3 hours.

星期二傑升要升一年級了. 他一大早6點40分就起床了, 這可是過去3個月來他第一次起這麼早而且這麼興奮呢..吃完了早餐我們大家帶他去學校, 大家都在外面排隊準備進去上課. 大家陸續的進入教室, 幫傑升找好他的座位及他的櫃子. 他已經就續準備開始畫老師放在桌上的圖卡了..我跟煒勳說我們要回家了可是煒勳想要留在教室裡, 我跟他說明天他就可以去上課了...

回到家裡享受了很安靜的一天, 因為只有煒勳在家, 沒有哥哥陪他玩所以煒勳也很乖. 真高興學校開學了.

星期三換煒勳去上課, 我們也是一大早就出發所以煒勳有時間可以玩玩具. 他很緊張一直叫我留下來陪他. 我跟他說我會留一下下可是等一下我就會來接他. 我們玩了一下拚圖老師說要準備上課囉. 他跟著我到門口一直依依不拾, 老師看到了過來抱他過去並問他有沒有看奧運, 喜歡那一項運動? 這樣馬上就得到煒勳的注意力.

趁著小孩在上課我趕快去買菜..真安靜. 3 個月以來第一次自己出來買菜..悠閒的逛著市場並看看有那些衣服在出清....看看時間差不多了趕快去接煒勳...他在外面和小朋友們玩的很高興. 問他還要不要再來上課, 他說好. 現在學校開學了每天都要當司機接送他們了. 晚上早點睡吧.

Making dumplings 包水餃

2008-09-03T21:21:00.000-04:00

Xander's dumplings

Pei-I's dumplings

The future chef.

Xander has been asking me to make dumplings for a while. I thought I'll make them before school starts. Mix all the ingredients and Xander is pretty excited to help me. He followed my instructions and started making yummy dumplings. Khai also tried to make some, but he got frustrated that he couldn't make one, so he went on playing toys. Tonight's dinner is boiled dumplings and fried dumplings. Yummy.

傑升已經問了好幾次可不可以包水餃, 想說趁開學前趕快做一做吧...好, 去超市把材料買一買, 混在一起. 開工囉. 傑升很興奮的在旁邊看我包, 他迫不及待的想要露一手..試了幾回他就可以把皮壓的很緊了吔..真是厲害...當天的晚餐就是煮水餃及煎餃了..嗯, 好吃.

Harvest tomato in the garden 收採蕃茄

2008-09-03T20:54:00.000-04:00

Isn't it fat?

I'm a good helper, see how many tomatoes that I picked?

Khai: "I want to help too.."

This spring we planted 4 tomato plants and they started producing a lot in the August. We pretty much collect at least 1 pint of cherry tomatoes every day. We enjoy them a lot. A few days ago we went to garden and found out there were so many black stuff on the garden, take a closer look and I found a big fat tomato caterpillar. Look at somewhere else, we found more caterpillars. I was being nice and thought they will become butterfly later, so I told kids to remove them to somewhere else.

Talking to Sean about my discovering on the phone, he told me to kill those caterpillars immediately; otherwise they would eat most of our tomatoes. Besides, these caterpillars will become moth not beautiful butterfilies. I couldn't find a big rock to smash them, so I told Khai to find a bucket from the sand box and add some water. We found 12 caterpillars that evening and put them all in the bucket. Feel bad to kill them all. Haven't seen any later on. Guess they went somewhere else to save their lives. That's right, don't mess around with Pei-I's garden.

今天春天我們家花園種了4 株蕃茄, 到了八月份開始生了好多蕃茄. 每天都有好多蕃茄要採, 今天的蕃茄特別甜. 前幾天和小朋友又去採蕃茄, 咦, 地上怎麼有好多黑黑的東西呀? 往上一看, 天呀, 一隻又胖又肥的毛毛蟲, 再往旁邊一看, 啊, 又有一隻, 再看, 大叫, 又有一隻....心裡想, 不要殺死這些蟲子因為它們日後會變成美麗的蝴蝶吔. 好吧, 叫小朋友幫我把它們抓到旁邊的樹下去放生..數了數, 共找到至少12隻胖蟲...跟老公講電話時他說要趕快把那些蟲殺死, 要不然他們會吃掉大部份的蕃茄. 他又跟我說這些蟲是害蟲, 不要良心不安.....

在附近熊熊找不到大石頭壓死它們, 只好叫弟弟去拿桶子來裝些水..狠心的把這些蟲子們都丟進水裡...還好後來的幾天都沒有發現那些蟲子了..也許它們變聰明, 跑到別人家去養生了.

Camping at Sauder Village

2008-08-24T22:31:00.000-04:00

How many milk can I squeeze? Let me use both hands.

Sean had been working lots of over times in the past few weeks and we wanted to use our pop-up camper one more time before school starts, so we decided to camp at the Sauder Village, OH that was only 75 minutes away this weekend. I quickly loaded the camping gears and prepare meals. Kids were having fun pick up a treat for their camping trip.

We ate at a local Mexican restaurant on the way to the camp site then set up our camper. Kids were being very helpful helping us unloading gears and set up the bed. We played Uno that night and went to rest ready for a busy Saturday.

The village has many exhibitations and live demonstration in each cabin, such as weaving a basket in the basket shop, making a plate in the clay shop, and cooking at outdoors. We all had such a good time learning about people's life in the early Pioneer era, late 19th century and 20th century . It was very educational.

Kids' favoriate part was milking the cow in the barn. You see a cow standing in the barn and there is a basket underneath her nipples. You can squeeze the nipples and the milk (water this time) will come out and drip to the basket. She then would moo.....We were the only family there so Xander and Khai milked the cow for a long time. They then busy picking up eggs in the chicken house.

We stayed at the village for a good 5.5 hours. It got really hot in the afternoon, so after taking a nap we went to swim pool to cool down. It was a short vacation but we all had a great time and felt very relaxed.

肖恩最近每天都加班再加上學校快要開學了. 我們想要趁開學前再用我們的露營車一次, 所以決定這個週末去隔壁州(Sauder Village, Ohio) 露營, 開車只要75分鐘. 由於只待2個晚上所以要準備的東西不多. 禮拜五等肖恩一下班我們馬上出發去旅行.

在去露營的路上有一家墨西哥餐廳, 我們去年在露營的回家路上有吃過, 所以今年照例也在那吃晚餐. 吃完晚餐到了露營的地方就準備架好露營車..小朋友們很喜歡戶外活動也長大了, 都會主動幫忙我們拿東西下車或是幫忙舖床. 真是爸媽的好幫手. 玩一下下遊戲就要準備睡覺了, 明天會是忙碌的一天.

起床後吃了早餐就準備去參觀村子了. 這個村子在每個房子裡都展覽了很多1830~1900 年代的東西還有真人實地表演, 像是有印列機及當時如何列印報紙, 如何編籃子, 如何造房子. 這村子整體的感覺很像是台灣的九族文化村. 很有教育性質也很有趣. 小朋友最喜歡的地方就是農場裡, 在裡面有一隻假牛, 她有四個乳頭, 地上有一個罐子在那裝牛奶. 你揑一下乳頭, 假牛奶(水) 就會噴到罐子裡. 哇, 小朋友玩的可興奮了. 旁邊有一個雞舍裡面有母雞在孵蛋, 小朋友把手伸進去拿雞蛋放在籃子裡. 在這可以體會農村的生活. 是很好玩啦, 可是如果真的要這樣生活下去的話, 擠牛奶跟拿雞蛋可能就變的不那麼好玩了.

我們在這村子裡待了5 個多鐘頭, 下午變的實在是太熱了, 吃個冰淇淋就跑回露營車去納涼了..還是好熱, 我們就跑去旅館裡的泳池玩水消暑一下. 好玩的一天很快就過去了, 雖然是很短暫的一個週末, 可是我們玩的很高興. 可是再過一個禮拜就要開學了, 要開始收心了.

Olympic Open Ceremony

2008-08-10T22:23:00.000-04:00

Proud athlets.

We are so excited that Olympic start this Friday. To let kids understand what Olympic is, we decided to have a small Olympic open ceremony in our back yard. First of all, we designed our own country flag, then athlets enter the stadium and show their flags. Time for the torch. Xander and Khai are very proud running around with their torches. We had few competitions such as running and throwing balls. Xander ran the fastest and Khai threw the ball the farest. Yeah, proud parents. Make sure that you see all of our pictures on the right.

奧運即將開始了, 為了讓小朋友們了解什麼是奧運, 我們決定在開幕式當天在後院舉行一個小奧運. 首先我們要先設計自己的國旗, 然後運動員拿著自己的國旗進場囉... 當然少不了拿聖火, 做了2 個聖火讓小朋友們跑來跑去. 好了, 接下來重頭戲上場了, 看誰跑的最快及球扔的最遠..結果傑升跑最快及煒勳球扔最遠...頒奬牌以資鼓勵. 記得要按右邊看我們所有的相片哦.

Read, set, run..Khai, it's time to run.

Swim term I

2008-08-07T16:55:00.000-04:00

Khai in the pool.

Xander in the pool.

It's only the second day of summer vacation and the kids are already driving me crazy. I've got to find some activities to use up their extra energy. YMCA has swimming lessons from Monday to Thursday, let's sign them up right away.

Xander has always been a very good swimmer and a good student in the pool, he kicked very hard and learned how to swim pretty well. Khai is doing so much better compared with last year. He can start moving forward (last year he stayed at the same place although he kicked very hard) and kicks pretty hard under the water.

才剛暑假的第二天, 小朋友們就已經快要讓我發瘋了. 不行, 不能讓他們每天待在家裡什麼事都不做, 這樣媽媽我遲早會被他們折騰的不成人形. 趕快去幫他們報名游泳把多餘的精力都發洩出來吧....

傑升是個很好的學生, 會乖乖的聽老師的話, 該踢水就踢水, 該擺手就擺手...他很快的就可學會應學的姿勢...那煒勳呢...他目前還處於過度興奮的狀態, 常常會一興奮就在水裡跳來跳去的..可是跟去年比起來,他今年好很多了...他已經可以往前游, 去年只是在原地踏地...通常游完泳之後小朋友們肚子會很餓, 所以要幫他們準備些小點心..我猜這就是為什麼每年我家小朋友都在暑假期間突然長高許多的原因--運動加上食量變大.傑升現在已經到我胸部高了, 而煒勳現在只矮傑升半粒頭..幾年前煒勳矮了傑升一大截, 現在快要追上傑升了.

Pei-I is learning how to upload video clips

2008-08-06T09:15:00.001-04:00

I enjoy watching my sister adding new video clips about her baby on her blog. I got to see her baby's action and see my house and family in the background. Sean has been really busy at work and I really want to try it, so I shoot a short video clip of Xander and Khai helped me peeling carrorts and managed to transfer this video clip to my computer. I was amazed how easy to upload to the web. I guess it's too early to tell, have to see how it looks like after I done editing this post. If it works great, then you'll see more actions from our family in the future and Pei-I would be very happy to take over updating our blogs. Please don't laught at her English and she is very proud that she managed to post a video clip and wrote her first page of blog.

我平常很期待大姐貼新的網頁, 因為她常常會放小寶貝的影片, 而在影片背景上我可以看到家裡或熟悉的地方及看到家人. 受到大姐的影響, 我也想放些小朋友的影片上來我們的網站, 這樣2邊的家人都可以看到小朋友成長的過程.

可惜老公最近上班太忙了, 沒有辦法教我, 自立自強好了. 問了大姐怎麼將影片上傳到網頁, 她說每個網頁的做法都不一樣. 好吧, 那我來試試看好了..先拍一小段影片再存到我的電腦上..吔, 我的網頁居然很簡單就可以上傳影片吔.. 好, 打幾個字再來看看會不會成功. 如果成功的話, 大家就可以常常看到我們在美國的日常生活了哦.

May 24, 2008 - Camping at Hoffmaster State Park

2008-05-27T21:44:00.001-04:00

05242008 - Camping Hoffmaster 006, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

We took advantage of the long weekend to go camping at Hoffmaster State Park. It is one of our favorites, as it is not too far away from home, it is right up on the dunes of Lake Michigan, There is a lot to do, and we always have a great time. While we were there, we got lost in the forest while geocaching, swam in the cold waters of Lake Michigan, bought flowers at the local farmers market, made lots of yummy food (pizza, snake river stew, dutch oven potatoes, etc), and got in lots of storytelling and relaxing in front of the fire. It was really hard for all of us to come back to civilization. Camping in the pop-up is so much better than lying in the dirt.

May 19, 2008 - First Lost Tooth

2008-05-19T21:14:00.001-04:00

05192008 - First Tooth 001, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

It finally came out! Xander has been playing with his loose tooth for a few weeks now and tonight with a little bit of coxing, it finally came out. He is very excited to see what the tooth fairy is going to give him.

You can see that he left a little card for the Tooth Fairy as well. The tooth is so cute! Yeah Xander!1

傑升的牙齒已經搖了好久了. 今晚媽媽我真的看不過去了就鼓勵他說要幫他把牙齒拔下來. 傑升起先很抗拒, 可是我誘惑他說牙齒仙子晚上會來並給他錢哦..一聽到錢就看到傑升的眼睛馬上亮出$$$$的亮光並馬上說好. (美國小朋友掉牙齒時, 大人們都會跟他們說當晚要把牙齒放在枕頭下面,這樣牙齒仙女當晚會來找他們, 把牙齒拿走並留下錢錢給小朋友.....不同國境, 不同習俗... 記得小時候掉牙時, 掉上面的牙齒要丟屋頂, 掉下面的牙齒要丟床底, 這樣新牙才會長出來.)

從沒拔過小朋友的牙齒, 只記得小時候拔自己的牙時都是綁一條線在門口, 門一推, 牙就掉下來了. 今晚揹負者偉大的使命要拔傑升的第一根牙, 好緊張哦. 怕拔不好他以後就有一口亂牙.

用手拔他的門牙, 拔了好久, 突然覺得有肉撕離的感覺, 傑升哭了出來說好痛也開始流血了. 咦, 牙齒動的比較厲害了吔! 讓傑升休息一下去洗個澡吧. 洗完澡, 傑升自己站在鏡子前面自己搖自己的門牙...哇, 幾乎可轉90度了, 可是還是黏在牙齦上吔! 好吧, 媽媽我再來試一次. 拿了塊紗布放在門牙上, 第一次沒成功, 再試一次....啊, 掉了掉了, 終於掉了..傑升本來在哭可是一看到他可愛的小牙齒就馬上不哭. 咬著紗布並好奇的看著自己的第一顆牙齒.樣牙齒仙子才知道那是他的牙齒..寫好後叫他趕快去睡覺這樣仙子才會來找他...哇, 他真的很快就睡著了呢....隔天起床他跳著跑進我們房間並說牙齒仙子給了他3元.

我們謹慎的把他的牙齒放在袋子裡, 傑升堅持要寫一張卡片給牙齒仙女, 這樣牙齒仙女才會知道那是他的牙齒...當晚傑升很快就睡著了, 肖恩和我2個人攝手攝腳的跑進他房間, 偷偷的把牙齒從他枕頭下拿出來並放了錢錢在枕頭下. 隔天他很興奮的跑進我們房間並說仙女給了他2塊錢..唉, 血汗錢真不好賺.

April 12, 2008 - SugarBush Maple Farm

2008-05-19T20:49:00.001-04:00

04122008 - SugarBush 001, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

This morning we went to eat all you can eat pancakes, sausage, waffles, bacon.... at Sugarbush Maple Farm. It was a lot of fun. We got to watch them make the maple sugar, eat way too much fattening food with freshly made syrup, and even taste some maple sap. The sap was really good by the way.

Happy Pi Day

2008-03-14T14:57:00.000-04:00

Today is 3.14 which is the first 3 digits of Pi, and is also known as Pi day (July 22, November 10, and December 21 also enjoy enjoy this honor - anyone know why?). Of course we all know that pi represents the number you get when you divide the distance around a circle by the distance across. Pi expresses the simple truth that some things we simply can not know, but can only get close to knowing. pi is a fundamental truth that shows up everywhere, even in things that have nothing to do with circles such as economic statistics and the measurements of the Great Pyramid at Giza.

remember, pi is an irrational number, so make sure you do something irrational today, enjoy a slice of pi(e), and reflect on the mystery that is pi.

Here are a few trivial facts about Pi:

Albert Einstein was borh on Pi Da. Coincidence?
Some Say that Archimedes was murdered while trying to stop a roman solder from ruining his work, shouting "Do not touch my circles".
German scientist Ludolf van Ceulen spent years of his life to calculate only 35 accurate digits.
William Shanks also spent years to calculate 70 digits, however only 527 were accurate. All of his calculations after that were wrong. How many years do you think he spent calculationg incorrect numbers?
A Japanese computer scientist calculated 1.24 trillion digits of pi in 2002.
Carl Sagan surmised that pi contained hidden messages from our creators. Granted with an infinit number of digits, you could probably make pi say anything you wanted it to.
If you count the letters of the words in the following poem, you can get pi to the first 20 decimal places: "Sir, I send a rhyme excelling; In sacred truth and rigid spelling; Numerical sprites elucidate; For me the lexicon's full weight"

March 12, 2008: HDTV's & Antennas

2008-03-12T21:46:00.001-04:00

Antenna, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

So with our tax money, I finally got that HDTV that I have been eyeing for about 2 years (a nice little Vizio). So far, I love the thing. It is amazing. The picture is so clear and pretty.

However, I didn't want to spend money on all of those fancy HD channels on our satellite plan. I did a little research, and found that the "Over-The-Air" channels were better quality anyways. In researching that, I found that I was going to need to spend $60 - $100 on a good amplified antenna; still more than I want to spend after all the money on the TV.

Fortunately, I found a site that instructed you how to make your own (here). It is as ugly as a pig wearing taffeta, but it seems to work really well. Then I got to wondering how it compared to the store bought antenna, so Monday I went and bought an amplified one for about $55. When I hooked it up, it found less digital channels, and the channels that it did find were not coming nearly as well. So the result of my scientific testing is that my ugly home-made coat hanger antenna is better than the $55 amplified store-bought antenna, and it cost me about $50 less.

我們家上個禮拜用退稅的錢新買了一台液晶平面電視, 可是舊的頻道沒有支持新液晶電視, 所以電視畫面品質不是很好. 可是我們又不想花多額的錢請電視公司幫我們加頻道, 所以呢, 聰明的肖恩就上網去找如何自己做小耳朵...他去店裡買了10元的材料再去衣櫥裡找舊的衣架, 依照網路上的指示把這個小耳朵做好了. 哇, 我們真的可以收到許多新的頻道呢 (還不是普通的頻道, 是給液晶平面電視看的哦). 我們好興奮...為了試試看自製的小耳朵到底有多好, 肖恩去店裡買了50元的小耳朵回家裝上去試試看. 哇, 店裡賣的50元小耳朵還不如我們自己做的小耳朵清楚呢. 而且自己做的小耳朵還可以收到更多頻道. 我們當然是把店裡買的小耳朵拿回去還囉! 現在每天都可以看到清楚 (免費)的畫面實在是不錯.

Ice Cream & Heart Hats

2008-02-26T19:27:00.001-05:00

img048, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

We are still dealing with lots and lots of cold wintery weather here. I had to dodge a snowmobile on my way home from work tonight. Because we are not exciting, I thought I would scan in one of Xander's latest take homes from school. If Xander had $100 he would buy Ice Cream. You can tell that he is my kid for sure.

When asked why he would buy ice cream, he said because it would taste good, and sometimes it is so cute. Khai says to be sure to give him some ice cream too.

Khai was watching us scan in Xanders work, so he ran to his backpack, and pulled out one of his latest projects. He happily posed for Mommy to take this picture. He says that this hat is very cute. When asked if he wanted to say anything else about this hat, he replied, "I am a silly butt."

Our House Every Day

2008-02-04T12:12:00.001-05:00

They really hit the nail on the head today.

January 26, 2008 - Chinese New Year Party

2008-02-03T20:38:00.001-05:00

Xander made the news, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

We had a lot of fun at this years Chinese New Year Party! With Pei-I's responsibility as the Secretary for the school's management team, she had to do a lot of work. With her help, and lot of other hours of service from involved parents and leaders the school held a great party. There was games, class presentations, and a tasty dinner.
We plan to edit a short video to show our kids shaking their groovy things later, but we wanted to post this picture tonight. Xander (being the super cute kid that he is) got his picture put in the Ann Arbor Newspaper. We are very proud of him!

傑升上報囉．．小兄弟倆的中文學校有新年晚會, 每班都有一個表演．今年是傑升的第２年表演，所以他上台都不會緊張．中文講的很標準，跳舞也很起勁，難得的被報紙貼上他的相片．我們要把這張相片裝框框了．那煒勳呢？彩排時精神很好，跟著老師唱唱又跳跳．可是等到節目一正式上場，煒勳就被國樂給催眠了．直睡到換他們班上排隊時才被媽媽給挖起來．他實在是太想睡了，一上台就趴在地上不想動．唉，明年再來試試看吧．整個晚上的活動很精彩，而晚餐也是令大家食指大動．祝大家新年快樂，萬事如意．

Tribute

2008-01-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

We saw this video on a friends blog, and thought it was a fitting tribute to a great, great man. For those of you who share our faith, then you know how powerful this small 97 year old man was. For those of you who are not, know that Gordon B. Hinkley was a kind, gentle, and inspiring man who walked and talked with God. The world is a better place because of him. He will be missed.

January 21, 2008 - Detroit Auto Show

2008-01-23T20:18:00.001-05:00

01212008 - Car Show 003, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

This last weekend we knocked something off of our Michigan bucket list and visited the Detroit International Auto Show. We saw a lot of cool cars like the Hummer HX shown here. Mini had a DJ, there was a lot of neat technology, and they even had games and rides for the kids. Hybrids and biofuel were king this year.

By noon the crowds were too big, and the kids were auto showed out. But we had a great time.

某天和中文學校校長吃飯時提到我們家今年要去看底特律的汽車展，他說他在公司有抽到２張汽車展的票，問我們要不要．我們確定他家人都不需要票之後很高興的收了這２張票．小朋友是免費的．我們就想說來個２日假期吧．趁著禮拜一放假，我們在星期天準備行李，高高興興的出發．先去旅館再決定午餐要吃什麼好了，旅館的小姐介紹我們去吃烤肉，哇，好大的一盤哦，吃不完的放在車裡也不會壞掉因為外面是攝氏零下５度再加上刮大風，夠冷了．睡個午覺再帶小朋友去看電影．今天先安撫他們然後明天要乖乖的因為爸爸明天要看車子．

一進場才發現會場裡有好多好多新車，漂亮的妹妹站在旁邊介紹新車．很家廠商會分發袋子及手術讓觀眾帶回家．小兄弟倆甚至排隊坐在賽車上玩電動玩具．後來真的是人擠人，煒勳也累了，我們就打道回府．這是我們第一次參觀底特律有名的車展，總算完成了密西根必須要去的地方其中一項了．

January 1, 2008 - Happy New Year

2008-01-20T19:35:00.000-05:00

01012008 - Snow Day 005, originally uploaded by The Whittier Family.

We got a foot of snow dumped on us during the night last night. There is a couple of things that I really like about this.

First, each of the times that we have gotten dumped on are days that we don't have to go anywhere. No work, no school, nothing. We just get to enjoy the winter wonderland, and drink hot cocoa.

Second: if you notice in our pictures each time it snows, there is a lot of activity going on outside. Neighbors all come out to shovel their walks, have snowball fights, and play in the snow. It is always a lot of fun.

I would take a fun snow day over another grey cold Michigan winter day anytime.

2007 In Review

2008-01-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

We made a CD of pictures to go into our newsletters (Thanks to Rainey for the idea with your awesome CD). The CD didn't make it into all of the newsletters, and we don't have everyone's address, so we thought we would post it here as well. Enjoy.

Dec. 25, 2007 - Christmas

2007-12-25T23:19:00.000-05:00

12242007 - Christmas 002, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

Christmas was good to us again this year. The kids were more excited than they ever had been in the past. We had the missionaries over for dinner, and Xander couldn't wait for them to leave, so he could go to bed, meaning Santa would come even sooner. They left milk and cookies out for Santa, and went to bed. After Xander finally went to sleep (way too excited to sleep) Khai and I both started getting sick.

After a rough night we had a great Christmas morning. Santa left a lot of toys for all of us, and we had a great time. Christmas dining was white rice and leftovers, as Khai and I still were not up to real food. Despite a few challenges, we had a great Christmas.

照例呢，聖誕老公公會在聖誕夜送禮物給小朋友，所以在這天晚上我們都有好藉口叫小朋友早點去睡覺，不然老公公就不送禮物了. 上床之前小朋友會留餅乾及牛奶給聖誕老公公吃，這樣他送完禮物後如果還肚子餓就可以吃了．看小朋友們多們期待聖誕老公公趕快來呀．

Dec. 16, 2007 - Snow

2007-12-17T19:45:00.000-05:00

12162007 - Snow 003, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

We finally had a snow day. Church was cancelled, and school was cancelled the next day too. We had fun playing in the snow and drinking hot cocoa though.

Nov. 29, 2007 - Gymnastics

2007-11-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

11292007 - Gymnastics 003, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

Today Khai got to go with his class to the gymnastics center. They got to stretch, jump on the trampoline, play with hoops, and generally have a lot of fun. Khai really enjoyed it.

Nov. 20, 2007 - Khai's Special Day

2007-11-20T13:56:00.000-05:00

11202007 - Grandparents Day 006, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

Today was Grandparents Day at Khai's School, since he doesn't have any grandparents that live close, He asked me if I would join him as his special guest. We made a potato turkey, and Indian headband, and ate lunch together. We all had a lot of fun.

Oct. 31, 2007 - Halloween

2007-11-01T10:15:00.000-04:00

Halloween 004, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

Halloween with kids is the best. Xander was a fireman with an axe, and Khai was Buzz Lightyear. We had Halloween parties at Xander’s school, Khai’s school, Chinese school, and at church. Then on Halloween night, we walked around the block. When we got done, Pei-I and the kids handed out candy. As usual, they got way too much candy, but we had a blast.

Oct. 13, 2007 - Xander's Birthday Party

2007-10-13T20:21:00.000-04:00

10132007 - Xanders Birthday 33, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

We decided to have a big shin-dig for Xander's birthday this year. Usually birthdays at our house are pretty low-key, but what the heck.

We invited all of Xander's friends, and when they arrived Xander gave them a cowboy hat and scarf. Then the kids could decorate their own paper grocery bag cowboy vest.
After everyone had arrived, we went to hand out the treat bags to all of the kids, but wouldn't you know it, Black Bart had stolen all of the goodies out of the bags. Fortunately he left a treasure map that one of the kids found. The map lead around our yard to different locations where Black Bart had dropped the goodies.

After the kids found all of their treasure, it was time to ride ponies. The ponies were so good, and gentle, and the kids loved them. They rode them time and time again. While the kids were taking turns riding the horses, we served a lunch of hot-dogs, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and homemade root beer.

After lunch the kids did some more crafts like beading and tortilla teepees. When it was time for the ponies to go home, we fed them some carrots, then blew out the candles and ate cake. Xander's friends brought him lots of really cool toys. When asked what his favorite is, he says, "All of them".

We all had a lot of fun, but it will probably take a few months to fully recover.

Oct. 9, 2007 - Khai

2007-10-09T19:09:00.000-04:00

10092007 - Khai 01, originally uploaded by Sean Whittier.

Nothing to report, just posted a few GQ pictures of Khai.