Belated Happy Birthday, Madi and Sam!

I didn't get to greet my youngest cousin, Madison, happy birthday on this blog on her real birthday, August 31. So I'm a month late, but she just had her party with her school friends this past weekend. So, I think I may be safe. Gee, I remember her visiting Vancouver at 4 months, and now she's 8. Happy Birthday, Madi!

It was also my other cousin, Sam's birthday in July. I really need a birthday calendar to keep track of everyone's birthdays!

Bathtime Buddies

It's been a busy household since I went back to work. So what do I do to make shortcuts? I give K & T a bath at the same time . I guess, this is the benefit of having children close together. Now, if only I can stop curious Tessa from pinching certain areas of K's body...

Other Happenings in YVR

Okay, I haven't blogged in awhile so I'll share a few things in this blog. It's been so hectic since I've gone back to work, so I really have no time to do anything but work or be with K & T. It's taking awhile to get into a sane routine.

Anyway, besides being busy with work, here are some of the things that happened in the first couple weeks of September.

1. Tessa turned 11 months. Our baby girl is growing so quickly and is growing 4 teeth all at once. Check out what she can do in this videoclip.

2. My dad came to visit K & T. This was the first time my dad has ever met his grandkids. The kids had a blast with their Yoyo, as Karchy would say. Plus, thanks to my dad, I was able to have some "me" time, but of course my "me" time involved a lot of catching up with work! Ray was also able to catch up on his sleep in the mornings, while my dad spent time with K & T. As well, we were able to enjoy some homecooked meals made by my dad. My dad's visit was short and sweet.

Double Birthday

My cousin, Lauren (aka Yowen) turned 17 today. Happy Birthday, Yo!

(Sissa, Lianne, Yowen, and me the day before our wedding)

My BIL, Anton, is also celebrating his birthday today. Happy Birthday, Anton!

( Anton and a 3 month-old Tessa)

(Karchy and his Ninong Anton, Christmas 2007)

Happy Birthday, Lolo Ed!

Reality Bites

Okay, it's that time of the year again: summer has ended, and school will be back in session tomorrow. So you know what that means, I'm officially a working mom starting tomorrow! I can't believe it's already been 11 months since T was born. This school year, I'll be working part-time at a local high school, jobsharing with a fellow teacher's ESL's teaching assignment. I'll also be working for a school affiliated with the BC Homeschool Association as a Special Needs Teacher. This job allows me the flexibility to work from home and to visit homeschooled students every quarter to monitor their progress according to their IEPs (Individual Education Plan). This week will be a major adjustment to all of us; on top of that, we have to prepare for T's first birthday which is coming up pretty soon!

Until next blog...

Vacay to LA

Before I head back to work, we thought why not go on a family vacation?! So Ray and I took K & T to LA for some family fun in the sun! Little did I know that going on vacation would be more tiring than staying at home! I tell ya, the driving in LA traffic (even if I didn't drive at all) was brutal, and traveling is just not the same anymore with K & T in tow. However, I have to admit that going to LA was more than worth it! We were able to do so many things that we would not have been able to do in Vancouver like:

Riding the bus (Okay, this was just the bus to our rental car, but K was still excited!)






Showing K & T Ray's family's home in Redondo Beach.






Taking pictures with beautiful scenery in the background (That's Newport Beach. I wished we had gone down to the shore, but K & T were sleeping.)






Seeing and spending time with Lolo Ed.





Visiting Tita Gviv, Tito Patrick, Tracey, Peter, and Gerry.

Celebrating Tita Agnes's birthday.

Eating and eating with the Esmases, Mendozas, and Erginas.










Going to Disneyland (Thanks to Tito Pete!). Although we only rode three rides, it was all worth it. Karch got to see Buzz Lightyear. To infinity and beyond!







Staying with Tito Greg (Thanks for the hospitality!).








Swimming and relaxing in the beach for the first time at Manhattan Beach.




Seeing the Sepulvedas (Thanks to Apple for our stay at Santa Monica!).







Spending quality time with Uncle Mark, Tita Riza, and Julia.





After six days of fun, sun, Disneyland, beach, Reese Witherspoon hunting, and family, we were all exhausted.


Now it's back to life, back to reality, back to work!