A Mickey BIrthday Party

A month ago today, we attended a first birthday party of a a friend's  first born.  The venue of the even was located near our place but we have never been there.  You can tell that we don't go out to eat very often because a restaurant that close was never visited by us.  

 The event reminded me of the  very first birthday of my kids. Both of their  first birthdays was just celebrated at home with close friends and family.  With our daughter, I didn't know much  people then so we only have my in laws and one  Fil Am couple that  we  recently met at the mall.  With our son, we hosted it at our home.  It was a bit crowded since our house is small but invited many.  Both parties were  so much fun tho=ugh.

 We met  two new Fiipinas at the party.  I don't attend Filipino gatherings anyore so I  only knew few  around the area.

 Taking photos on every occasion isd an Asian thing.  We could never get together without taking any photos.

Thanks Aurelyn for inviting us!

Christmas Eve with the Cottrill Family

We visited the  family on the 24th.  We always get tgether on Christmas eve but  ever since my kids starting going to school, we can only visit for few hours as the kids has  a function at church.  

 My daughter was very fond of their dog Toby, he is a sweetheart.  He is  16 years old but still look good.  You can tell he is  an old dog though because  he walks  very slowly.

I am not sure what breed he is but he is so gentle and  really nice with kids.

 They opened gifts before we left.  Thanks for the gifts everyone!

Dad was in a very good  spirit  that day.  Although I was told that after the gathering, he did not want to leave.  He  said that it is his house so he isn't living.  He is now living with my sister-in-law and my niece -in-law's family  is the  one living at his former house now.

We are blessed that we are  given another Christmas to spend with  Dad.  

 The Asian cousins. Shelby is 25% Korean and my kids are 50 percent Filipino.  Our family is  mixed race but race is never an issue with us.

I thank God for another  great Christmas!  I have so many things to be thankful for this year. I am looking forward for a great 2016, hopefully it would be another great year.  2015 was a tight year financially but we managed   okay.  This year, I am hoping that with be a lot easier whenit comes to finances.  Other than that, 2015 was  great for my family's health and personal relationship.  

Visiting Family

 We visited  Dad at my sister-in-law's house the day after Thanksgiving because we only got to see him for a brief moment  when we went to his former house.  He was out of breath during the Thanksgiving celebration that he has to leave early.  His health is declining  drastically which concerns all of us.

My niece-in-law  is now living  at my FIL's former house so they hosted this year's  Thanksgiving.  We  were late   because I also  made a dinner at home and we ate before we went  and visited everybody.

 It is so hard see your parent get weaker each day.  I remember when I first came here, Dad was  still very strong and healthy.  He is a big part of my children.  We lived at his house for  a year before we bought our home and  he is the best father-in-law anyone could  have.  I am so blessed!

 Even though he doesn't recognize us anymore, I still see him  the same when  I first met him.  He is the kindest person I know.  My kids are very fond of  their memories with him when they were younger and Dad can still drive.  He would visit us and they would take them for a drive going to his house.

 At 93, he still look great but his strength is declining.  He can no longer  walk far.  Just walking to  one room to another, he is catching his breath already.

 I got him to smile  for me.  I told him that I will  show his picture to his sister, so he gave me a  big smile.

When we were about to leave, my sister-in-law's  daughter and granddaughter also visited so we took pictures of them with Dad and kids before we left.

It was a nice visit.  The last time we went and visited, he was asleep so we did not get to see him.  But anyway, here are  my babies having fun in front of the camera.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas everyone!

The BoardWalk at Hershey Park

When I hear the word Boardwal;k, the first thing that comes to mind is  Ocean City.  That notion changed though when we went to Hershey Park, the kids had so much fun  running around the Boardwalk.

 The artist who pauted this really good.  It looks so real that it makes for a good photo.

 It sparked my children's interest in eusung of these someday.

 I read an interesting  fact about  this new addition in Hershey Park that stated that the Boardwalk was  opened in 2007 to mark the 100th anniversary of the theme park opened by Milton S. Hershey in 1907. It originally featured five water‐based attractions and is the single biggest financial investment in the park’s history, at a cost of $21 million USD.  I think our kids went thru so many of these  water-based attaction.

 I guess every one of these water  feature here represents  something from other  places like Ocean City and Coney Island.

My son  just want to  run in everyone of them.  It was a bit chilly that day but kids  doesn't mind the cold as long as they are having fun!

 I am glad that they are now big enough to qualify for most of therides in the park.  They get frustrated when their heughts are not enough to  go on a ride that they like to try.

Going to Hershey Park was our last minute decision as our previous plan of going to another place was cancelled.  I think it was meant to be for us to go there because we ended up having a blast.  

A Tribute for our Fallen Heroes: Our Visit to the Memorial Park in Weirton

After we  attended the Sunday mass for  All Saints Day celebration, we headed out  to the Memorial Park in Weirton since tomorrow will be All Souls Day, it would be appropriate to remember all the fallen heroes from West Virginia.

 It's nice to hear my husband  tell the kids about  his experiences  in the Navy.  This is the perfect place to educate them about the military.

 We used to come here when my father-in-law  is still able to walk far.  Whenever my husband see how  Dad is now,  it makes him feel sad because  he used to be very active  and his mind was still sharp in remembering everything.  I remember how happy he was telling the kids about his experiences in the military during the World War 2.  My father-in-law and my husband are my kids real heroes.

 It is so nice that Weirton has this little place dedicated to the services members who sacrificed a lot to defend  the country.

 My son is very interested in this kind of stuff.  I wouldn't be surprised if  he   show interest in joining the service when he grows up.  He truly admire his  Grandpa's bravery  during the WW2 and his Dad's  20 years of service  in the Navy.

 While I sit on the bench watching my husband and son, my daughter took some snapshots of me.

I wish that this memorial park is not on the busy street.  It would have been relaxing to  come here.  I seldom see people here but it makes a good landmark for people who are coming to WEirton.

 I can't believe that this kind of artillery shell was  being used back then, these are humongous!

 My husband is planning to purchase one brick on these memorial to put his Dad's name  and honor him.  I told him that he should get two so his uncle who died in Normandy will have one as well.

 We have two veterans to honor  this year, Grandpa and Daddy.  I feel bad that a lot of people are off on  Veteran's day but my husband isn't wahh.  The company he works for does not give veterans off for this holiday, which I wish they would.

 This is one of those spontaneous thing that we do.  No plans, just random urge to do something.  We just wanted to take opportunity of the good weather and have a little fun with the kids.

 This artillery shell us as tall an as big as me lol.

 My little explorer having fun.  He asked if he would be a good soldier, we told him that he might.

 We did not stay very long because This little lady did not bring her sweater, she left it at the car and it was a bit chilly for her.

 I am grateful that the city of Weirton is keeping everything in this park in  great condition.

 It's a great way for young generation to learn a little bit about military history.

 For our fallen heroes, thank you for sacrificing  for our freedom.  We salute and thank you for your bravery.  This post is a tribute for all the real "heroes".