Post Holiday crafts....

The holidays are over...the boys are in school...now mom can sit back and relax and make things for herself....yeah, right...there are two babies expected on Jeff's side of the family...but, before that....I made my Mom a blanket:
It's nice, soft and warm.....it's called a 5 1/2 hour blanket....probably could make it in 5 1/2 hours....I'm taking it to her tomorrow....

Next on my list is a crochet afghan for myself...in plum purple...then I will do the baby blankets....can't post pictures of those....I am FB'd with the expectant mothers and this blog downloads to my FB.

Hope you are having a great 2010!!!!

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...