Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

It was a great few days...full of friends, family and festivities! My birthday was on Thursday. We ran some errands in San Jose and then met Lori for dinner at the Pruneyard. We ate at Buca di Beppo...a fun Italian place that surprised me with a red, white and green birthday cake slices.



On Friday, we had a pre-4th of July get-together with the Fremont Group...The Nakashimas are in town from Seattle...so, it is always a good excuse to get together and "let" the guys play poker. It was a long day, and ANOTHER BIG THANK YOU to Lori for coming early to help set-up and staying to help clean-up! You totally rock.


Actually, having 30+ people isn't that bad...this group really pitches in with the food, cooking and clean-up...unfortunately, my mother uses it as an excuse to have a large birthday cake...

It is so great to see the kids playing together...and they are all growing so quickly! Here are some pictures from the day...


Neil and Brent (from Seattle)

My friends Brian and Elizabeth with my Mom and Auntie Irene

Me and Mama Baba...I took the picture by stretching out my arm...hee hee
Mrs. Nomura, Jeff's Mom and Cathleen relaxing... Watch out GUYS!!! The Nomura and Matsubayashi girls are out!

Michelle and Betty...all smiles....

The first "baby" in the group...GOSH...Kaitlyn is starting Jr. High in the Fall...I can't believe it...seems like just yesterday she was this little baby bundled up like a football...

Today, we got up "early" and drove down to Salinas. My Dad needed some help, but, he was all done by the time we got to Salinas. One of my Dad's workers had to leave because his father died, so, Dad had to set up the irrigation pipes and etc with a new "kid". My poor brother Gary ended up helping earlier this week...something a Marketing guy from HP is not used to. I heard he had to take Advil that night...Jeff did help Dad put up some sheetrock in the tool house that he is building...and Mom and I bought fireworks to do later tonight.

This is the first year Salinas is allowing fireworks. The Buddhist Temple of Salinas has a booth, so, we bought it there...I'll have pictures of the fireworks in tomorrow's posts.

(I'll update this post when I get home...I can't get Mom's SD drive to work....oh well)

N-E-I-L

While Jordan has been in "school"....I told Neil that he can do a project....so, we went to Joann's (one of my favorite stores) and we picked up some letters, paint and other wood embellishments. Of course, Neil choose red paint....(I just noticed my new purse is on the table...why is it there? Hmmm...I better move it before he paints another coat!) Here is a closer look at his letters....N - E - I - L...Oh, I picked up some letters also...M - O - M and purple paint!

So....it's July...my birthday is coming up...and my friend Lori gave me this beautiful purse! It's actually handmade by a woman in Japan...her website is www.tagodesign.com. I haven't visited it yet, but I will...isn't it cute? My two favorite colors...purple and black (silk). I love the shape and it is fully lined!

Thank you, thank you Canada!!! Oh, and Happy Canada Day!

Notre hymne national
O Canada!Terre de nos aïeux,Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,Il sait porter la croix!Ton histoire est une épopéeDes plus brillants exploits.Et ta valeur, de foi trempée,Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

(in English)

O Canada!Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons* command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land** glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

SCHOOL is back IN!

...or at least it is for Jordan. He started his two classes at Ohlone For Kids. His two classes are a Writer's Workshop and a Cartooning class. I think he had fun with both classes and he was did his Writer's homework without being prodded...too much. He had to write 10 random things on fortune cookie sized pieces of paper.

Here is a picture of Jordan leaving for his first day in "college". (Ohlone is the Community College in Fremont...but, the OFK classes that Jordan is taking is at Newark Memorial High School).

Jeff had a dinner "meeting" with the guys tonight...so, the boys and I made English Muffin pizzas. As usually, they had to be difficult, I mean different...Jordan wanted sausage and ham, Neil wanted ham and pineapple....so, I had all three! Sausage, Ham and Pineapple!

In August we are going to Universal Studios. I have never been there...our family always went to Disneyland...but, AAA has a great deal...Buy 1 day @ $57 and get the 2nd day free. Not too shabby...especially after Jeff found that Universal Studios sells a "All You Can Eat" pass....I think they will lose money on Jordan!