a week in washington state: day 3 & 4

Day 3: Boating at a State Park. It was a beautiful day. We rided on inner tube and also did weight boarding. I am proud to announce that I got on the weight board after my first try. It was a lot of fun with everybody. That day was also a special day. Some very special friends of ours from Houston made a detour to see us while on their way to a wedding and finally met Eli! Thanks, Julie and Roger! We love you!

Day 4: We headed over to Seattle to meet up with one of San's sister Bianca. On our way we stopped at a waterfall. Then we went to Vashon Island and took a nice walk at one of the shores by a lighthouse. It was very relaxing. I wish we live close to the ocean. Eli favorite activity was throwing rocks into the ocean.

A little bit of sightseeing on our way of our long drive to Seattle.

 the waterfall.

At Vanshon Island ...

An outlook at the majestic Mt. Rainier. I only wish I have a better lens to capture it.

lighthouse in the background.

a raft arranged by some woods that were left on the shore.

some unknown sealife I spotted by the shore.

hitting daddy is one of Eli's recent favorite thing to do to daddy.

Eli found a cool stick to hike with.

some shore founds on the island. I am making this into a watercolor painting. I will post it when it's finished.

a peaceful sight of the lighthouse in sunset.

We ended the evening on the Island by treating Grandma with her favorite cuisine: Chinese food.

a week in washington state: day 1 & 2

We went to see Santino's family in August and the weather there was perfect! It was an amazing feeling when I came to the realization that it did not burn my skin when I am in the sun (you will know what I mean if you live in Arizona)! We did many things and went to many places.

Day 1: Great Grandma Alicia in Othello finally met Eli for the first time. Of course she fed us well with her specialty Chicken Mole and many more. We wished we had some pictures of Eli with Great Grandma Alicia.

Day 2: A little gathering for Eli to meet his cousins Nya and Malakai. They have everything that Eli ever wanted.

Eli: Nya, don't be afraid, I got you!

Taking a sip.

Eli: More, more, more water!

Uncle Kevin showing Eli some cool moves.

A sweet moment of Auntie Sasha and Nya on the swing.

Feeling powerful up there...

The intense moment...

Eli: I can do this all day long.

Daddy took Eli for a dirt bike ride.

i have three shadows

If you define SHADOW as something that never leaves your leg, then I have three of them. Let's count them. There is the shadow of mine, and then... there is Eli, and his shadow. We took a walk the other day and I turned around, looking down on the ground, confirmed to me that I had 3 shadows that were stuck with me.

I remember when Eli was still a newborn, people would remind me how I should enjoy being able to hold him all the time, because in a few months everything would change, and I would even be able to catch up with him. 

Well, it has been 18 months. Both of our mothers informed us that was exactly how we were as a baby. He is in a my arm's reach constantly, especially the past few weeks we have been taking him to the nursery at church and after our week long trip to Washington, this situation has gotten even more intense.

In some ways it has it's benefits. Like when I go out to a store, crossing the parking lot or the streets, at a park, I never have to worry to look out for a child who wandered off. I just have to check one of my finger... yep, his little hand is there. I've got nothing to worry about, we are good to go!

Anyhow, seeing how we are with our mothers now, I guess I will take heed of the advice about taking my time to enjoy being able to hold him, but just in a longer run, in a few years maybe. He is my everything now, he is my life!

Picture taken at the shore of Vashon Island in Washington State.

in these rare rainy days

We have been getting some rain and random storms here and there during the past month. It is nice that the weather is keeping us somewhat cooler. Eli is fascinated with the rain, and one evening it started raining right before his bed time, and he ran outside...

then started dancing and waving at the rain.

He wanted to check it out so we geared him up with his rain boots and an oversized umbrella (for him).

Enjoying his little walk.

He kept walking and walking and probably decided to not turn back.

until he slipped.

Finally he remembered that it was really his bed time.

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!

treasure every moment.

On Memorial Day we were invited to a pool party. We were just chatting, eating, and playing games. When we were about to wrap up, Eli decided to hopped back into the pool and no one noticed until he made the splash. (Maybe he slipped?) My friend who was standing the closest to him at the moment grabbed him from the water.

He was under the water for about 5 seconds, but he was such a trooper. He actually held his breath until he was being picked up (good thing Santino has been training him a little bit). He didn't panic or struggled and was just floating in the water like a watermelon standing vertically. According to other friends, his eyes were wide opened, too.

When I got him in my arms I felt horrible instantly, that I didn't watch him closely enough. I felt very blessed that he was perfectly fine. He didn't even get a single drop of water inside him. He was probably just a little bit shocked and so he was whining for just a little while. I held him so tight like I would never let him go again. When he finally calmed down he laid his head on my shoulder and held me back really tight also. I assured him that he was fine. And then...

He looked up at me while he was still in my arms, stared for a brief moment and then a big grin on his face, then followed by a series of violent slapping on both of my faces!

I think that was the happiest "being slapped" moment I have ever experienced in my life! I have no idea what was going through his little head but I was so happy when he slapped me. I was just happy that he was back and that was the reassurance that he was really fine.

I keep thinking about the moment when I saw him under the water. We could have been rushing to the emergency room, or worse. That evening after I put him down to go night night,  I was so looking forward to the morning to see him again and hold him. I just learned a lesson to treasure every moment with people I love. I thank God that He allowed me to learn it that way, and not the hard way. And yeah, we really love Eli.

And here's Eli "treasuring every bite" on a Oreo cookie custard sandwich:

what happened to my child?

Sitting still is an extremely unusual thing for Eli. (If he does, usually means that he's sick or something.) But this time is an exception...

He's watching Ponyo ! He loves that show. It's the newest Miyazaki animation. It's such a cute story and I hope Eli will be a good kid like the boy in the animation. I have seen it at my library recently, you might be able to find it at yours, too.

p.s. I just love how Eli found his lounge chair to enjoy his show, while swinging his feet and sipping on his drink and just looking so relaxed (and hunched like a ball). What a funny boy.