More reunions...and Obon Odori!

On our way home, we stopped to see/meet Lynn, Fred and their daughter Lauren! Lynn was Jeff's 2nd year Resident Advisor...and we had hooked up via FB. Coincidentally, Fred is a cousin of someone we know in Fremont. His aunt didn't believe that we had lunch with him on Sunday....hee hee....gotta be careful..."you never know who is related to who".... After lunch, we made it home in time for Obon Odori @ SACBC! It was a beautiful night, and although we were exhausted (we drove into our driveway at 6:05...service was at 6:30 and dancing started at 7:00!), the boys and I survived the evening! Jeff stayed home to unload the van and start the laundry....such a good husband!

I was so happy to see Yumi and Mike at Obon! I dragged out Yumi....she had a good time...really she did...maybe I can get her to dress up with me next year....(if we are in town)....I was too tired from the trip to drag out my yukata....

This is one of my favorite people @ SACBC...Dr. Hashimoto. He was all decked out and ready to dance....he is such a nice man!

Brother Ray also dressed up....doesn't he look nice? He is so in the spirit!!!

Our niece Megan is all dolled up...

And little sis Rachel is just SOOO CUTE!!!!

Dustin, Brett, Jordan and Neil in their hapi coats! Jordan's coat is looking a little small...I might need to pick up a new one for next year!

This afternoon we celebrated Preston and Auntie Irene's birthdays at Claimjumpers. Everyone had a good time...with everyone's schedules, it seems like the "birthday lunches" are the only time we see each other. :(

One of the presents we got Preston was a Popcorn Popper for the campfire. He and Gary go camping...I thought this would be fun!

Jeff and I decided that if my necklace didn't "sell" at the Silent Auction, I should give it to Auntie Irene. I have been wanting to make her one...so, maybe it was fate that no one bid on it at the Bazaar....she kinda knew she was getting it...it looked great on her!

Rev Abiko,the "Peace Bell" and Baby Isaac!!!!

Today was our last full day in Southern California. We head back tomorrow...Jeff changed the schedule on us a little, and we found ourselves in LA Japantown. On a whim, we decided to visit Rimban Abiko at the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. He has been assigned to LA Betsuin since February, so we thought we would surprise him with a visit! It was nice chatting with him and the boys enjoyed seeing a huge oniijin (sp?) (altar)...next time we have to plan this a little better and maybe take him to lunch! Rimban Abiko was a good friend of my Grandfather's. I was happy to hear that Rimban Abiko's father is doing well and will be 100 years old next month....WOW! After visiting with Rimban Abiko, we met Burt for lunch at Koraku...wonderful Ramen and fried rice...yum...I was happy to hear that there is a Koraku @ Stateline's Primm Outlets...we might have to go there during the Girl's Trip.

Burt took us on a sightseeing trip around downtown Los Angeles....we saw the Staples Center... ...ooohhh, ahhhh, that's where the Lakers play....Angel's Flight and Burt also told us that they film Shark in his building....ohhhh, ahhh....

Did you know that there was a "Peace Bell" in San Pedro? I didn't, but, Jeff took us there....here are the boys doing something very "un-peaceful"...sigh....boys....

The day ended at the Abang's house! We finally got to meet baby Isaac!!! He was the little one born on Jeff's birthday....here is Dad (Nick) with Isaac...

Isaac looks bored with Uncle Jeff....hee hee...(it's my Blog and I can write what I want....)

He was such a good baby....he even stayed with me! Of course I handed him to Jeff when he got a little fussy...but, that was only once during the evening.

After a wonderful dinner...we celebrated Kallyn's birthday...it was last week...with a Guava Cake from King's Hawaiian...yummmmy!!!!

Here is a picture of the kids together...Isaac kept looking at Jordan....probably sizing him up for when he gets older!

Thanks Jazel and Nick for a wonderful dinner and company!!!!

Beads and Buttons!!! YIPPEE!!!

The last time Jeff went to his clients office in Arcadia, I saw The San Gabriel Bead Company as we were leaving...we couldn't stop because we were heading to the pier for a cruise...but, this time we stopped! What a fantastic store!!! Lots of silver, buttons, glass, swarovski etc...but, more importantly, lots of local artist work

I picked up some cupcake beads and this cute little "gumball" machine bead. The "gumballs" are seed beads...so cute! The bead in the bottom right is a polymer clay bead with lots of polymer accents, pearl, crystal and glass seed beads...it was very unique and I was debating whether to get it or not....guess you can tell what I decided to do...you can click on the picture to see an enlarged view...

Their selection of buttons was huge! I thought the two little butterflies would be cute in a kumihimo necklace....and the other three I can use for sewing projects! I just need to put the somewhere where I can find them when I need them! I am going to try to "wrap" the two cabochans at the bottom of the picture...

I really enjoyed this store...and hopefully will be back next year...

Just a little more Universal Studios...and the Kumagawas!

After a long night in the laundry room at the Courtyard....we slept in a little and headed for Universal Studios....Jeff opted for "regular" parking...not the preferred....um, let's just say he is a little grumpy about yesterday's parking....hee hee.... The boys cooperated and took a nice picture....this was a major feat since they were starving! And if you know Jordan...he is not happy when his tummy is not full....

After eating at Panda Express in the Universal Walk, we headed to the Grove...we had a nice time walking around and we saw Christian Siriano from Project Runway...sorry no picture of Christian.

After the Grove, we met Burt, Joni and Kallyn at uWink for dinner...it was the first time I had been in the area....it's right by the Kodak Theater and Mann Chinese Theater...it was a trip...all of these people out in costume to try to con little kids into taking pictures for a tip....sigh, the boys learned a valuable lesson here....Can you see the Hollywood Sign? It is that white blur to the left of my head...yup, that's it...on the hill....I was going to not mention Kallyn...and see if we get comments...but, that might make our families wonder...so....This is the family with Burt and Joni's daughter Kallyn...

We saw a lot of "Stars" that we recognized...but, this one had the largest crowd...Michael Jackson....
Did you know that Disney has a Soda Fountain? We went to the Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store for dessert...I had the BEST ice cream sandwich....quite yummy and now I am full and tired...

Who's Woody Woodpecker?

So, today was our first day at Universal Studios....It started off with a "great laugh"....When Jeff pulled up to pay for parking, he was asked if he wanted to "upgrade" to Preferred Parking...he said "No..." then was told that the "regular" parking was a 15 minute walk...with no tram...he quickly changed his mind and handed over a $20 bill.

We then proceeded to "Woody Woodpecker"...and then the peanut gallery chimed..."Who's Woody Woodpecker?"....come on, we can't be that old? Or, is it Jordan and Neil are THAT YOUNG?

Here are the guys in front of the Universal Globe...notice...Neil is NOT looking at the camera again!

Jeff and Neil took a ride on the Govenator's hog...hee hee...Jeff and I liked the T3 2D show the best...
We also purchased "All you can Eat" passes for the day....I think we got our money's worth...the main entree, one side and a dessert were included....but, drinks weren't...so, we let the boys get souvenir cups. Neil got SpongeBob...(who I personally don't like)...

...and Jordan got Homer Simpson...who I also don't like...but, hey....guess what! We found out that you can get ice and water for FREE with the cups....that's cool!

Tomorrow is Day 2...but, I don't know when we will get there.....Jeff and I are currently taking turns doing laundry downstairs...and it's 11 p.m.

Last day in San Diego!

Today was another wonderful day with friends....we had a leisurely breakfast while Len went to work, Marsha and Mae had to run some errands...and the other kids played and played! The four younger ones hit the pool again until it was time to go meet Len for lunch on the base.

I wish I could have taken pictures of the base, but we had to turn in our phones and cameras to security before entering the base. Lunch was wonderful, the view beautiful and while the facility impressive...I still like the USS Russell...the destroyer Len was in Pearl....but, this is a nice building, although we spent more time there then expected....

After lunch, we went back to the house and I think the kids jumped back into the pool....Marsha and I ran to JoAnn's....I found some more Asian Fat Quarters...now I just need to make something!

It was a wonderful day...we left after having dinner at Oggies...pizza, pasta and yummy chicken wings!

Tomorrow is Universal Studios! Yippee...it will be my first time!

Reunions, reunions...

Our trip down to San Diego is almost over :( ... just as a disclaimer....I haven't posted pictures to the Dana Hall Reunion...because I need to go through them first! I'll have more time later this week...so, expect a few LONG posts....(Dan we did enjoy the video/pictures....more to come)! Thank you Sean, Colin, Andrea and Marie!!!!

After the Dana Hall event...we stayed with the Santiagos. In the morning we had breakfast at Island Style Cafe in Clairemont Mesa...it was quite yummy! Jeff had the Kaloko Moco....it's a Loco Moco on a crepe...but, it's not the typical crepe...it's a little thicker...and sort of reminded me of a Tasty Crust pancake...it was quite yummy....Oh, I had some of Marsha's Korean Chicken! "Broke da mouth!" it was good...yes, Korean chicken for breakfast...that's why we have been friends since 2nd grade! If you are EVER in the area, you have to go see Terri @ ISLAND STYLE CAFE! OMG...it was wonderful...and they have REAL Shave Ice! Terri's husband used to be chef @ the Four Seasons...and it was great...we also had some of the "sweet" crepes, Mauna Kea (Banana, custard, whipped cream, Lechera and macadamia nuts), and the Kilauea (strawberries, custard, whipped cream and strawberry topping). There wasn't much left of that! On Fridays, they have Kahlua pork...but on Sunday, Len had a Kahlua pork omelet...he said it was quite yummy....

Jeff liked the Kaloko Moco...as you can tell...oh, did I mention that Jordan had one of these also?

After that huge breakfast...we had to walk around, so we went to Seaport Village! Here is Jordan, PJ, Neil, Marsha, Kalei, Mae, and Leonard.

Of course, the kids did NOT want to walk around...they wanted to go back to the house and hit the pool. Here is Jordan and Pete...after they kicked the little kids off of the floater...

There was another floater for Kalei and Neil...but, the lining was tearing...poor kids, victimized by their older brothers.