our lil monster turned 2.

E turned 2 earlier this month. We threw a little birthday party at a park and invited some of his favorite friends. We had lots of fun and everyone had a great time.

E's "lil' monster turning 2" birthday party invitation.

We love seeing all the smiley faces of our guests.

  

We were so glad to have Grandpa Serg on his special day. He was also our BBQ chef at the party.

A little medical school reunion.

Who's this cutie with a pink strap and floral pattern helmet?

Oh, hello, it's E! 

(We did get him a more boyish bike helmet as his birthday present. He was just borrowing his friend's bike gears for the moment.)

Let's get down to business! (Looking all serious.)

Mila finally found a way to match her jacket with her tongue.

Kennedy enjoying the icing.

E was having a deep thought on how heavenly a chocolate cupcake could be.

Matt the "hangman". 

There goes the first strike by the birthday boy!

 Then Audrey was too nice to Brobee.

So as Mila.

Cohen almost had it.

Taylin showed everyone how to do it properly!

It was like Halloween again!

Brobee came back to live.

The boys were showing no mercy to Brobee even after all the candies were out. Many hours of late night works just turned back in pieces of paper again.

He loved all his gifts but was most sentimental about the cards.

Thanks Brobee for the highlight of the party, we shall always remember you in one piece from this picture.

E got so spoiled by all his friends. He was showered with many great gifts, he loves all the books and balls, and trucks, and many many more. We had so much fun celebrating E's 2nd birthday. We appreciate so much for all our great friends who were able to join us! We still can't believe that E is 2!

pumpkin festival at desert botanical garden

We enjoyed a wonderful beautiful morning at the pumpkin festival with the Whetten's. Too bad Tino has been very busy lately and couldn't join us. So I made sure I took some pictures so he could see what we did there.

While waiting for the hay ride they put tattoos on the kids' hands. Both Emi and E got theirs. Here's their tattooed hands giving each other knuckles.

And instantly E felt in love with her. 

As soon as we got out of the hay ride, we arrived at a little corn maze. E took the lead. He had his hands behind his back pretty much the whole time. He acted like he was a wise old man trying to figure his way out.

Here's his handsome friend Branden trying to pick out a pumpkin his size.

Resting on a pumpkin after the "hard work and long walk".

Every kid there get to pick out their pumpkin for free. E was being picky and taking his time to pick out the best one for me him.

One of E's many face expression. This one he was trying to tell me how heavy it was and was saying "e...e...e" when he was lifting it up. 

Putting a face on the pumpkin. This is a monster pumpkin face with many eyes, noses and mouths and a mole.

E enjoying the country music band playing there and yes, he's wearing a sparkle beaded necklace they gave out to those kids who got moves.

Sweet Emi and her hard work. Her pumpkin looked so cute.

Riding on a vintage tractor.

E's way trying to tell the World, "I am handsome, powerful and cool!"

A few showcases of groovy pumpkin carving from some proud Veterans.

Another cool band playing some banjo music, E and I were intrigued by the little wooden man that was "dancing" along with the music (see the bottom left... it moved with the guy when he tapped on the board.)

It was a really nice enjoyable morning!

2 cuties in the water.

These two were just splashing water at each other the whole time and laughing and wiggling in the water. We had fun even just to watch these two fearless toddler in the swimming pool.

After Eli putting these floaties on, he refuses to let us hold him. He had to move around in the water himself! Look at his big grin on his face. He kept his smile pretty much the whole time in the water.

Thanks for the fun swim day, Mila!

winter in july

or not?

We were so excited to call up friends and relatives to come join us at the Zoo for this "Winter in July" last weekend. I think I was expecting a little bit too much... like they would make man-made snow throughout the park or something like that. But it turned out they were just putting piles of ice into a certain animal areas and one ground area for kids to play with. Oh well. We really enjoyed seeing some good friends though, besides the heat and super sweaty condition... it was all worth it!

(Be prepared to see all the messy hair pictures, I wasn't kidding when I said SWEATY.)

Eli with his cute little friend Brenden sitting bravely in front of a big lizard (statue).

Playing at the ice area with his buddy Mila.

... but he really didn't like the idea of playing with ice in the middle of hot summer.

An "extra large size" turtle coming towards us. We were amazed how slow it could get. We think the shell really slow it down.

And then we ran into a peacock thinking that he was so pretty himself and could get away with doing anything he wanted...

Like, trying to take Eli's snack (and of course Eli was guarding his with his life) but Eli just gave him a dirty look.

 Mila was more generous, she offered her drink instead.

Then we were off to learn how to milk some cow...

Then had more fun petting some goats.

Here's our prize and joy, sitting pretty in a clam shell like a pearl (when he gets his snack you are more likely to do anything with him... him and the peacock are totally the other way around):

Mila and Eli inside of the turtle shell sitting area

(since when he looks so mature?)

Eli and our cousin Brie, whom we got to hang out two weekends in a row. Yah! (Eli was playing shy in this picture.)

This is a rare one (a family picture... with me in it!)

What a "hot" trip!