Surprise!!! Happy New Year!

Surprised? Yes, the boys have been on Winter Break...and it seems like I was on break also. I don't know what happened to the time...but, it flew by.

Here is a recap of the Break...

On Monday, December 21st, the Jangs and Obachan joined us for a night at the SF Ballet's Nutcracker. It was the first time for all of us, EXCEPT the Dad's who have seen it during "school field trips". We all met for dinner at Max's Opera Cafe and then made the short walk to the War Memorial Opera Theater. It was a wonderful evening and all the kids survived. Jeff even survived sitting in the Balcony...um, mental note, next time get the more expensive seats that aren't in the nose bleed section. hee hee, Kathy and I didn't want to dish out $$$ if the kids didn't enjoy it.

Here is a picture with Bachan prior to dinner at Max's.

On Wednesday, December 23rd, we had a potluck with the Eden D2's. It was a great feast with the kids providing entertainment with their White Elephant exchange. Poor Kento (front row, left), he was the first person to pick a gift, he picked a beading kit. All of the girls were at the end, and (big surprise) the other boys didn't want to steal it. The funny thing is, the girls didn't steal it either...they waited until after the exchange...more bargaining power! The highlight of the evening was overhearing the girls complain about "how immature the boys are"...sorry girls, it just gets worse!

Christmas Eve was spent with Jeff's family. The kids are getting pretty big...it was a nice evening.

Remember the USC/UCLA blanket I made? Ray loved it...at first he thought it was only a USC blanket, then he surprised to see the UCLA side...hee hee...Jeff made a good call!!!

My first pumpkin pie turned out okay? I wasn't sure if it was a deep dish pan, I think it is...next time....

My Mom wasn't feeling well, so, she stayed home in Salinas. Dad brought Uncle Kunio and Dean. My brothers Gary and Dave (with family) also joined us.

I wasn't sure if I would be available later in the week, so, the boys and I met the Nakashima's (from Seattle), and the Nomura girls in Hayward for lunch. Makaela and Jared took a cute picture...

Later that night, Jordan and I went to the Celtic game...it was LOUD! The Warriors BEAT the Celtics!!! WHOO HOO!!! It was a great game!!!!
Jeff and the boys bought me a iFlip...for my BLOG....yeah, right, that's why Jeff took all of these videos and Jordan and Neil were playing with it yesterday...

Here is a video of Megan and Rachel helping me make ice cream in the new Ice Cream ball...

Tonight, we are having a few friends over for an "East Coast" New Year's...ya guessed it....we count down at 9 p.m.

Catch Up Vol. 267

hee hee...okay, I haven't published 267 volumes of "catching up"....but, it feels like it. I have been so busy finishing up the holiday stuff...I have been horrible at updating my BLOG.

I have had a few requests for Field Trip Reports....Lor, I am finally getting to it...but FIRST!

Here is Jordan, accepting his Honor Roll certificate from Miss Jane. This assembly was during Neil's first Field Trip to see "The Fabulous Mr. Fox". I still have his teacher's book, I need to read it during the break! The movie, was okay...I almost fell asleep...it was too early to be in a dark theater...

Neil had his first basketball game. Here is a team picture....Aren't they cute? The SACBC Athletic Association bought new uniforms for the organization.

The last day of school, Neil's class had a concert...This is the entire 3rd grade...they did a great job!

Krista Clapp and I combined our two groups...divide and conquer, or so we thought! Just kidding, the kids were great! Oh, see the rock they are sitting on? I tripped over a smaller one and messed up my knee for a few days....a few scratches, but VERY sore. I skipped out of pilates early because I couldn't put all of my weight on it....good excuse, eh?

This was so hilarious...Jordan arm wrestled his friend Jason....mechanically....he won...

Totally wiped out from the field trips!

Hello everyone!

I know, it isn't even Christmas and I am thinking of New Year's Resolutions....my main resolution: I will update my blog...at least 3 x a week...hee hee

I promise to write more about the field trips....the hickey (not a kid in my group), the Happy Hour plans (made in about 30 minutes into the trip) and tripping over a boulder....

But, here is my Holiday letter for those of you who didn't get it....Happy Holidays everyone!
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Hello Everyone! I am trying a new holiday letter format…I hope you like it!!!

At Warwick Elementary, Jordan is in the 5th grade and doing great! Neil is in the 3rd grade and reading up a storm!!!

Purrrr…this year we lost our beloved Kiku. She was a part of our family for 17 years and is dearly missed. Shaq, (her brother) misses her dearly and is also showing his 17 years…

Practice Round @ the President’s Cup --- Jeff and I were lucky enough to attend the President’s Cup @ Harding Park this fall…it was wonderful…we already have tickets for the US OPEN (Golf) at Pebble Beach in June!

Yikes! THAT’S MJ and Tiger!!! Yup…we got pictures of Michael Jordan and Tiger at the President’s Cup…it was AWESOME…(hint: you can take cameras into the tournament on PRACTICE rounds…but, not the COMPETITION rounds!!!)


HoopsCardsCrafts.blogspot.com is our Family’s BLOG…check it out to find out what is going on in the Minamide Household!

Our two boys, Jordan (10 ½) and Neil (9) are busy with basketball this year. Jordan is on a split team with the Eden organization. Neil is playing with SACBC again. Jordan is also trying out for the 5th-6th grade basketball team @ Warwick

Last Summer, we didn’t go to Hawaii…but, we were able to attend the 25 year Dana Hall (UCSD) Reunion, VIVA LAS VEGAS and catch up with the Santiago’s, Kumagawa’s, and Abang’s.

I , (Sheri) am still “working” at home. The sewing bug has really bitten me hard….I may need to upgrade my sewing machine soon!!!!

Dad, Jeffrey, is doing well at Morgan Stanley. He can’t believe he has been there for 19 years!!!

Another year has gone by, we wish you and your families, love and peace throughout 2010 and beyond!!!

Yikes! (again) Jeffrey and Sheri attended their 25 year High School Class reunions. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone….

Sheri is sorry she did this…it was harder than she thought!

Love, The Minamide Family
Jeffrey, Sheri, Jordan and Neil

Girl's Night Out!

Last night I went to a Crafty Girl's Night Out at my friend Julie's house! She is so creative and clever! When we arrived, bearing munchies and other yummy treats, she had 8 "stations" set up for the below crafts. (Can you tell she is an organized teacher?)

Starting from the top left:
We filled a glass ornament up with little strips of paper, top it off with a bow...and we have a cute little ornament!
The star box is painted and "sparkle mod podge" and topped with buttons and a little flower.

It's really scary....these ladies really liked the E6000...a smelly adhesive which we used to make a blingy ring!

Okay, now this is REALLY easy...layer some ribbon and top it off with some buttons...and you have a BEAUTIFUL bookmark! so cute and EASY!!!

The little circle is a pin...made with fabric yo-yos and a covered button.

Bottom Left:

A "jeweled" snowflake....

Another button embellished with some buttons

Last but not least....a "wooden" tree covered with scrapbook paper and embellished with "jewels"

It was a great night! Thank you Julie for spreading your creativity with us!!! You can tell she inspired me...I have been wanting to make swirled glass ornaments...everything has been sitting out forever....I did them today....can't wait until they are dry!

Need to leave for Neil's first game of the season....take care everyone! I hope I can be better at updating my BLOG...sorry....Holiday Slacker!

Ornaments, Ornaments

While I was at the Laker game, Jeff set up our tree....I grew up with LIVE trees my whole life...until I met Jeff....and had indoor cats....About 5 years ago, Jeff convinced me to get a FAKE tree. I love our tree...not only do I NOT have to crawl under the tree to water it, but, it's pre-lit...and it rotates....

I have been collecting Precious Moments Ornaments since 1988...the first Christmas after I graduated from college....Last year, Hallmark and PM started releasing Disney ornaments...Belle and Ariel were released this year. Cinderella was released last year.

The dated ornaments are below....originally I didn't care for the cardinal..but, it looks great in the tree....

The Hoover Dam ornaments are hidden in the tree...the boys picked these out on our trip to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam in August.

Shelley and I were so happy with our Macy's ornament this year...we try to get a Macy's Shopping Bag ornament as a remembrance of our SF shopping trips....one year we chose a tree...because we didn't find a Macy's ornament that we liked....this year is really cute!

I try to get the boys a special ornament...I found this basketball for them @ Macy's this year....it's really sparkly (sp?) ...they loved it!

He shoots...He SCORES!!!!

Time for some catch up....


On Friday, we attended the Notre Dame de Namur Thanksgiving Classic....a basketball tournament. It was a fun evening that started with Ramen at Santa Ramen...(yum), then the basketball game NDNU vs Cal State East Bay and it was concluded with dessert at a bakery in San Mateo. (BTW: CSEB won...71 to NDNU's 64)


I have blogged about Santa Ramen before....it reopens for dinner at 5:30 p.m. If you are NOT in line by 5:15...you risk NOT getting in. With Friday being a holiday for most people (Jeff had to work in the am), the line filled up quickly. We were the 4th party in line...so, we got in...but many people didn't...this is the line....at 5:40...

This was also a line OUTSIDE...and it was cold...when we left. One man stomped away saying "There is NO WAY noodles are THAT GOOD"...my response...um, yes it is!!!

Back to the game...during halftime, one of the coaches (Jeff's friend) told Jordan, Neil and Bradley to come down and shoot around....

Jordan's response....it's a BIG court....hee hee...

Jichan's Service and (ahem!) Cards

Today we had a short family gathering/service for Jeff's father. It has been 3 years since he has passed...and it seems like a long time. It was nice to have the family over....At most of the family get togethers...cards are involved....someone was obviously NOT checking IDs at the card table....since Jordan made it....I heard that Uncle Doug spotted him the buyin. He seems to be doing better....

...at least better than Uncle Zak. Poor Uncle Zak...

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! We spent the day at my brother Dave's house. It was also Kylie's FIRST birthday!!!! She was born last year ON Thanksgiving Day.

Here she is with Jordan....
Neil is with Sage, Kylie's brother....later in the day, Jordan taught Sage how to play poker....sigh....the next generation is already being corrupted!!!

This morning the boys and I stopped at "The Flower Shop" to pick up flowers for Jichan's (Jeff's father) Memorial service that we are having at the house tomorrow. Of course we have a friend at the shop....Yuki is such an adorable dog....

almost done...and false advertising???

Well, Thanksgiving is two days away...My cards are done, addressed, glittered and stuffed. Jordan and Jeff put on the stamps and return address labels...tomorrow Neil and Jordan will seal the envelopes...phew! Now I can get back to my sewing and crocheting!!! Okay, so my rant for the night...Jeff had his chiropractic appointment today and he wanted to try the burgers at Jack's Prime Burger. They had a $10 special - burger, fries and shake. Neil didn't want the special, but he had a fantastic looking kid's grilled cheese sandwich and fries for $4.99.

I feel like I am writing a math problem: Jordan, Jeff and Sheri have the $10 special, Neil has the $4.99 kid's meal. Approximately how much should the bill be BEFORE tax?

For some reason, each meal had 51 cents added to the price....when we questioned our server, he said the tax was calculated into the tab...BUT...there was another tax line calculated against the "so-called" built in tax price....so.....someone please explain. The Manager couldn't, but he reversed it and credited us $2.50...it really should have been $2.04...hmmm...maybe they can't do math.

BTW: I liked the burger and especially the fries and shake...but, I don't know if I'll go back.

Cards, Cookies and Football!!!

Yeah!!! I finished my Holiday letter....and am putting the final touches (aka glitter) on my "heart" trees. I had written in my cards earlier in the month...but am having problems printing out my envelopes...oh the horrors...I have to HAND address each envelope...sigh....I have 50 done...just another 70 to go!!! Here is a close-up of one of the cards...the first few had dots...for Christmas tree balls...but, I got bored making all those dots....sorry

My other bit of excitement was trying out "Double Delight Peanut Butter Cookies". I saw the recipe on Oprah and had to check it out...I love Peanut butter cookies....This recipe was really easy. First you make a ball of peanut butter and powdered sugar...then you take Pillsbury Peanut butter dough and wrap it around the ball. Finally, roll the ball in a mixture of cinnamon sugar and finely chopped peanuts, flatten out the balls a little and bake...quite yummy...you can find the recipe here.

Have you seen The Blind Side? Oh my...I think this is now my favorite movie....I rate it a 3 kleenex movie...it had so many touching moments and also VERY funny moments. Sandra Bullock does a GREAT job! Keep your eyes open for It's Complicated...it starts Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep and Steve Martin! It looks hilarious!!!! (funny note: a relative on Jeff's Mom's side of the family was married to Meryl Streep's nephew....Jeff jokingly calls her "Auntie Meryl").

Wrap, wrap, wrap...

I decided to try to do some wire-wrapping on the fused glass pieces that I bought last week at BABE....The heart didn't turn out that great...the Christmas tree is simple, but, it turned out a little better....I think I need to play a little more...but, I ran out of wire :( Besides the wire work...I haven't done that much....I need to finish another afghan before Christmas, so, I am trying to focus on that...hopefully, I can finish before the end of the weekend...opps...it's Saturday night already...okay, my NEW goal....by Thanksgiving...

Gobble, Gobble!!!

After my Pilates class, I went to Joann's to pick up some googly eyes and wheat sheaves to finish up my Thanksgiving wreath! I am really happy with the way it turned out...It was really easy and fast! I started it at Jordan's basketball practice on Friday!!!

Jewelry Fun!

I bought some picture frame charms at BABE yesterday! I decided to play with them today...I think they turned out nicely. I really like these because they have a little design on the back...the other ones I saw at the show were quite a bit more expensive and were plain metal on the reverse side. The button bracelets are done! One of the blue buttons shifted a little...but, for the most part they came out really cute. I'll have to keep my eyes open for some fun buttons and cabachons.

Last year at BABE, I saw a necklace that I wanted to make...I bought the "banana" and teardrop beads...but, I forgot what the sample looked like. This year, I took a picture of the sample, and I made it today! Isn't it cute? If I only had somewhere to wear it to!

We are BABEs!

Today was a great day! I picked Julie and Jenny up and we hopped on BART...headed for BABE in Oakland. I have gone to it the past two years with Julie. Jenny and I had attended BABE about 5 years ago. BTW: I toyed with the idea of changing my name to "Jeri" to rhyme with Julie and Jenny...ha ha ha! Out on a Whim has always been a great booth...This year did not disappoint! I found clasps, I ALWAYS need clasps, and fun picture frame charms. I am going to try a new technique on the charms...hopefully it will work out okay.

Don't worry...the cabachons are just placed (quickly) on the buttons. I actually just finished making these bracelets. Julie has been making these button bracelets for a while...and I thought I would try a few. They were really easy...I also found a cool button for a sewing project!

My first stop was at the Kahn-Fagan booth. I bought some leaves and flowers for a kumihimo necklace. I also found the "strawberry" leaves. I wonder if the Las Vegas girls want to remake their strawberries...

Yoyo beads are always fun! This iss always a fun stop. The vendor also gave me a copy of a necklace pattern...so nice of him...I just had to buy more beads, a few buttons and a puffy fish. By the way, the puffer fish was the only "focal" bead that I bought. I hope my aunt likes it!

A while back I made a purse...but, I couldn't find a button...so, I made a bead....The Swarovski rivolis are always fun...and I found some HUGE ones!

Hmmm....the following picture is situated wrong...I really need an HTML class...anyways...the School of Beadwork has WONDERFUL kits...I did see things I liked, but, it was early in the show...so, I was going to go back if I didn't find anything else...yeah right...there is always next year...funny, I think I said that LAST year! I did find a beautiful clasp!

A few years back, I took a fused glass/wire wrapping class (with Jenny and a few other friends), these fused glass pieces actually have a channel on the side of the piece to make it easier to wrap...cool, eh! I also picked up a bail making plier....I SOOO NEED THIS! (BTW: The triangle next to the heart is a Christmas Tree...puts me on a time deadline....or something to do for NEXT year!)

One last (but important) note...for those Ex-Ingres folks out there....I was on BART chatting away with Jenny and Julie, (SACBC folks: I had also bumped into John Arai on the train, he was headed to the service out in Berkeley...opps!), anyways...this woman started waving at me....for the life of me, I couldn't figure out who it was....it was DENISE TAYLOR! She was headed to BABE as well. She is the Assistant Area Manager, at the Crucible. The Crucible is a fantastic place to learn everything from blacksmithing to welding, and everything in between! Of course, they have jewelry/metal classes....check out their website here.

Catching up from the weekend

So, before I left for Las Vegas...the dishwasher was acting up....when I got back...things weren't better...AND there was a flyer for appliance recycling on our doorstep. So, on Monday, Jeff called the repair number...they said it would be $400+ to have someone come out and LOOK at the dishwasher...so....Jeff, Jordan and Neil took the dishwasher out and threw it outside for the recyclers.

Yeah, right...new dishwasher...well, not quite. The last time Jeff had to replace the dishwasher, he FELL IN LOVE with having the garbage and recycling cans in the dishwasher space. It took forever to get a new dishwasher....not to mention, every time I get a new kitchen appliance, my kitchen remodel gets pushed back...because, "why redo the kitchen...the appliances are new"...sigh... The boys participated in a school fundraiser. Choi's Martial Arts held lessons at the school's multi-purpose room for the month of October. They donated $2000 of "registration fees" to the school...so, it wasn't that bad. Although Jeff said that the graduation (which was held while I was in Las Vegas) was a "time-share presentation".

Here is Jordan sparring...

Looks like Neil is breaking a "board" (of basal wood....)

Who me? Braid your hair? HAH!

Late Monday night I received a phone call from Brian, my friend Elizabeth's husband. Elizabeth wasn't feeling well during the weekend, and ended up going to the doctor on Monday. Turns out that she needed an emergency appendectomy.

I decided to drive down to Salinas to visit her. Good thing...since she needed someone to brush and braid her hair. HAH! me? yeah, right...she was joking right? I have two boys...with short hair...um, I never looked good in a braid, so, no...I don't braid....okay, I'll try. My first attempt looked like a rope...you know...spiraling in one direction, not a braid...the second attempt was passable but, let's just say, it's a good thing that Eliz's friend, Mui, was stopping by later that night.

Elizabeth is doing well. She will be better once she gets back to work...which will NOT be on Monday...much to her dismay. I would NEVER take a picture of someone in a hospital gown...so, here is a picture of Elizabeth and me on the Alaskan Cruise we took last year. (You can't see her hair, but, it goes halfway down her back....sigh! It's a good thing I have boys!)

What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas...sometimes

hee hee....so, I survived the Girl's Trip to Vegas...kinda...my throat is a little sore...so, I am playing hooky from Yoga tonight...sorry Canada!

We made it to Vegas and met up with Betty by "Door 10", the bus to the Rental Car Center picks people up outside of Door 10...

This was the first time a few of the girls have seen the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada"...my first time was this summer...

Our first stop was "The Four Kegs", we sort of over ordered...and I forgot to take the picture before we started eating. By the time we got the car and drove out to The Four Kegs, it was really late....so, we dived into the Chicken Wings....which were AWESOME....as you can tell from the almost empty basket.

Saturday nights' dinner was Roberto's...it was so funny...when we drove up to the hotel, the Valet sniffed our car and said "Roberto's? They are the bomb!" My answer...of course....hee hee

Jeff had told me to take the girls out to dinner...but, I decided, I didn't want to. (Lori liked this intro)...I decided that I wanted to spend Jeff's $ on charm bracelets for the girls. Brighton has "state charms"...so, I thought it would be fun to get a charm for each of our trips. Although Betty didn't make it to Hawaii last year, we let her slide....Lori was able to pick up her pineapple (Hawaii charm) at another Brighton store.

Here is the map with the charms. It was so funny, we were trying to decide our next trip by the charm...

We did stop at the Premium Outlets...we did a little bit of damage. By the way, I was able to finish about 12 Christmas presents. YIPPEE!!!

This picture was taken in the hotel lobby. Next to me is Michelle, Lori, Betty and Kathy! Next year, Portland?