Happy Valentine's DaY!

 Banner on our front door

Had this waiting for Husband when he woke up this morning

Decorating dinning room for Family Dinner tonight

Hearts & Kisses

Found a box of chocolates that says, " Sweetie Pie"  perfect for Faith

She makes some silly faces that make me happy!

She is having fun with balloons and her reflection today!

Going Someplace!

We have our first trip planned for 2012 and I am so excited! It's our 20th anniversary!  I can't wait to get away with my sweetie pie Jeff!

We will get to visit here

From a little boat ride on this...



And sleep in this fancy place or should I say Palace...hmmm?

(The Palace Hotel)

and sight see in this little yellow ride...have you guessed where?

~In Loving Memory~

There are some beautiful traditions from the East.  Since we don't live close to where my father in law Gary was laid to rest I decided we needed a way to honor and show our respect to him.  Fortunately last year when we were in Hawaii they were having their annual Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony.  This is where we learned about a beautiful tradition where family members light and place a lantern in the water in  rememberance of their loved ones, healing their grief, and praying for a harmonious future.  Many write notes to their loved ones and place them on the floating lanterns. 

Our first annual floating lantern ceremony... 

This year I had the idea with no real concept of how to make the lantern.  As soon as Faith was in school today I started on my little project.  I am really proud of how it turned out and even worked!  I used rice paper from our local Asian store and just loved how it looked out on the water.  We love you and miss you dad!   

Go Lions!

Faith's buddy cheerleader for the party...

Little Miss Faith got invited to a birthday party where the guest of honor hired the local high school cheerleaders to throw her a party!  She learned a dance, and could have performed it at the game tonight, but she fell asleep after the party.   Each girl was assigned a buddy...check out Faith's silly buddy.  I think she was about done when I got there to take pictures.   She is also still trying to grasp the concept that other people have birthdays too.  She wanted all the presents for herself. 

Chinese New Year Celebrations ~ Year of the DRAGON

This year we switched things up a bit. Usually we go out to dinner and celebrate with our friends and their daughter Lucy. This year we decided it would be fun to share our girls culture and heritage with those closest to us.   We threw our own party! It was so much fun to share Chinese New Year with friends and family and we hope to continue this tradition from now on! We had over 60 people attend!

On the menu

Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Fried Rice

White Rice

Dumplings

Egg Rolls

Chinese Chicken Salad

and of course everyone had their own set of chopsticks! 

And for dessert Dawn and I hand made almond & cashew cookies; ordered fortune cookies and this lovely cake

In honor of the DRAGON ...isn't he something!

Chocolate cake with a wonderful cherry mousse filling ...Yummy!

Faith and Lucy

The pose

My sweet little Chinese Empress

 Smiley girl

All dressed up and ready to party!  I love how the flag is in the background.  My Chinese American Girly!