Fishing

Early last month, we went to a trout farm called Troutmere with our neighbors.  It was in the mountains in La Honda.  It was a pretty peaceful place, but packed with a Boy Scout troupe.  The fishing seemed to be good. It seemed like everyone had caught at least 3 fish, so we decided to try our hand at it.  Rick rented a pole and got some bait and we waited to see what would happen.

 We waited...

 ...and waited...

 Tried another spot and waited...

 Waited some more...

...and ended up with this,

NADA!

Those darn Boy Scouts!  They caught all the fish!

Strawberry, Yum!

A few weeks back, we got a call from Grandma that Grandpa had to be hospitalized.  We rushed down to visit him but it turned out he was okay after a bad scare.  He had lost a lot of blood after a procedure, but was recovering nicely.  


Since he was recovering, we decided to go strawberry picking at Gizdich Farm.  It was a little overcast, but comfortable.  There were a TON of families out strawberry picking, mostly Asian.  Since Rick had worked on a strawberry farm before, he had to teach me and Emi-chan how to pick the berries, not that Emi-chan cared.  


I was surprised at how great the strawberries looked and tasted.  These were the best berries I'd had in a long time.  Juicy, sweet.  I was sad at how much money and time I had wasted on the tasteless or tart, or dry berries I've purchased at the supermarket.


We also spent some time checking out their barn area.  Emi-chan was very disappointed that there were no animals in the barn.  Just people selling food. 

 This brings back (bad) memories...

 I like this one!

Emi-chan's favorite part of the visit

Hopefully, we can visit again before the strawberry season is over.  If not, there's apple picking in the fall!

LA Trip

Last month, we took a quick trip down south to visit the new addition to the Yoshida clan: Yu-chan!  We rented a minivan and packed up Grandma, Grandpa, Emi-chan, a bunch of toys, clothes, etc., etc. etc.  There was no room to move around in the minivan, but we did okay.  On the drive down, it was POURING rain and it was snowing on the Grapevine.  On the rest of the trip, we were blessed with hot weather.  Go figure

We had a low-key 3-day stay with Ted, Yumiko, Mi-chan and Yu-chan.  It was so nice to help take care of a little baby again (not that I'm longing for nausea, gestational diabetes, swollen feet, and eventually sleepless nights, demands of 2 little ones, etc.).  Yu-chan was such a good baby and Mi-chan a good big sister, at least while we were there.  Ted and Yumiko looked tired.  Em-chan and Mi-chan played really well together.  

On Monday, Rick and I took Emi-chan to Disneyland and she's still recovering from the visit.  She was very overwhelmed.  She's still shell shocked from the Finding Nemo Submarine ride.  She insisted on going on, but once on, she was terrified.  We also went on It's a Small World, the Monorail, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo ride, and just people watched. 

Hopefully we can visit again soon. 

Yu-chan and her daddy

Mi-chan and Emi-chan playing together

Trying to fly a kite

Emi-chan entertaining Yu-chan

 Hanging with Goofy

 Stormtroopers taking over 

the food court

 On the Dumbo ride,

Emi-chan's favorite ride

View from the submarine,

Emi-chan's least favorite ride

Happy Easter!

Have a blessed

Resurrection Sunday!

Hidden Villa

On a nice, sunny, lazy day, Emi-chan and I went to a farm called Hidden Villa.  I had a heck of a time finding it.  It wasn't because there were tons of roads and highways we had to take to get there.  It was mostly because I'm pretty lame with directions.  When we finally got there, it was almost an hour since we started out.  It should have taken us only 20 minutes or so to get there.  Oh, well.  


It's a organic farm and educational center in the Los Altos Hills.  They have a little garden, lots of animals in pens, and hiking trails.  Unfortunately, they don't have animals to pet, but it was fun to look around and chase the chickens.  Emi-chan found a friendly cat and make friends with it.  

Lots and lots of lambs 

Help...can't breathe... 

 "Hey, Bob.  How ya doin'?"

"Not much, Hank.  Just taking

it easy."

A real barn with a fake horse 

Here, kitty, kitty

As we left, we were stopped at the gate by a deer.  It was beautiful until it started walking towards the car and I then I got scared.  Don't worry, I didn't hit it.

Happy Birthday!

I can't believe that Emi-chan is now 5 years old!  A couple of weeks ago, we had a birthday party for her and we invited some friends and her classmates.  I explained to Emi-chan a few months back that she was going to have a birthday and asked if she wanted a little birthday party or a big birthday party.  She said she wanted a BIG birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese or Pump It Up.  I agreed to a BIG birthday party, but not at CEC or Pump It Up.  So, we had it at Swaray!, a big, no frills, low key indoor playground and party place.  


We got the whole place to ourselves and had a blast.  I haven't seen Emi-chan so charged up and hyper in a long time.  There were 2 jump houses, a spider web, rock climbing wall, a room with cars and rocking horses and trains, a food room and a quiet room (no one used that room).  We also had a balloon pinata at the end of the party.  Most of the kids that came have Autism or other mild disabilites, so a couple of parents later told me that it was nice not to constantly explain their child's actions and behaviors.  

Time for fun!

Shaun the Sheep Cupcakes By LJ

 Food!

 Trains

 Popinata (Baloon pinata)

 Aaah!  No more singing!

Take 2 on the candle blowing

It was a busy, and full day.  It took us a couple of days to recover (financially, a few more weeks) but it was worth celebrating Emi-chan's life in a big way.

Happy Valentine's Day

Enjoy

Pier 39

One free day, I took Emi-chan to Pier 39 to visit the Aquarium of the Bay because she wanted to visit an aquarium and I didn't know of any other ones close by (Monterey is way too out of the way).  Since it was a weekday, it was a pretty low key at Pier 39.  


Since it wasn't a busy day, the conveyor belt at the aquarium wasn't on so we had to walk (oh my gosh!  We had to walk!  So taxing!  I couldn't believe it!)  We saw:

 Crabs

 Sharks

Jellies 

Divers 

 Chinchillas

(why they were at an

aquarium, I don't know)

...and seals.

 But of course, 

Emi-chan's attention was

on her new toy.

We ended the trip with a ride on a carousel.

December 2011

I know I'm way, Way, WAY behind in posting the past few months.  Here are a few highlights from December:

 Taking a walk with her friends

 At church with Marie the Cat

 Emi-chan went into a fun house!

She wasn't sure if she like it, though

 Emi-chan tried ketchup!

And hated it!

 Christmas time

 Christmas with Mi-chan

Gifts from the annual

Ornament Party

(I didn't make a gift for myself) 

Emi-chan at Pump It Up

with her beloved

Shaun the Sheep