Pixar employees gave out treats for the children today. Nathan got to wear his pirate costume again! Pixar even handed out bags for their treats.
The children walked around the animator’s area and through the atrium to get their treats. The line was long but moved pretty quickly.
Afterwards, we allowed Nathan to play with his friends outside. He was having such a great time running around with his little friends.
Nathan’s first carved pumpkin
His preschool had their Halloween parade today. His costume for this year is a pirate
This year is Nathan’s first trick or treating. We were going to take him out for trick or treating last year but by the time we got home, it rained heavily that night. Good thing it didn’t rain on Halloween this year.
Around our block, I couldn’t believe how many people gave out candies. Some of them gave out little toys. I prefer the toys over candies. Nathan had a great time going from door to door to get treats. My nieces also came with us that night. I had my nieces take home most of the candies.
Wow, years coming by so fast. Can’t believe our little critter is 4!
We rented the jumper again because everyone including adults seems to be having so much fun on it. We had his party on Oct 5.
Cake time!
Finally, time to open my presents!
On the day of his birthday (Oct 11), I got him more presents. Instead of cars or trains, I got him toy foods and kitchen accessories.
My little chef
Our son has been to Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. But he has never been to Disneyworld in Florida. So for our big trip this year is to take him to Disneyworld and short cruise to the Bahamas on the new Disney ship – Dream.
My son is getting better being on a plane. Our flight from SFO to MCO (Orlando) is pretty long because of a connecting flight from Kansas City. Since he has been pretty good sitting on a plane for hours, we can start taking international trips again.
Nathan all ready to head to Disneyworld!
In Kansas City waiting for our connecting flight to Orlando
Finally made it to Orlando!
Putting on the MagicBand which is a beta test phase. The MagicBand is something new Disney is working on. The band will work as your room key, is good to make purchases, is good to reserve fastpasses, etc. For now, only selected guests get to use the MagicBand.
On the Disney Express bus to take us from the airport to our first hotel – Animal Kingdom Lodge
Instead of staying at one hotel at the Walt Disneyworld Resort, we decided to stay at two hotels: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Beach Club.
At the Animal Kingdom Lodge:
We had a view of the safari:
Nathan loved going on the slide and swimming at the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool:
At the Beach Club:
I think the pool at the Beach Club is better than the pool at the Animal Kingdom Lodge:
Some pics with the Disney characters:
Nathan is tall enough to get on bigger rides!
On the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
On Splash Mountain
Dinosaur ride
On Testrack
We were at Disneyworld from Aug 31 – Sept 8. From Sept 8 – 12, we went on Disney Dream to the Bahamas!
Disney Dream took us to Nassau and Castaway Cay. At Nassau, we just walked around and I did some shopping.
At Castaway Cay, we did a lot of swimming.
Took our critter and nieces to Disneyland.
Since Nathan is 40″, he is able to go on even more rides in Disneyland.
He finally got to ride the Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. He is sitting in the middle front seat of the car
Daddy and Nathan on Toy Story Midway Mania
On the Mad Tea Party ride
On the Dumbo ride
Who is this? 🙂
The three J’s (Jewel, Jaya and Joy)
On Main Street waiting for the fireworks to begin
We stayed at Disneyland Hotel and got to see the fireworks from our hotel room
Of course we always have to have a pineapple Dole whip float
Had dinner at Buca Di Beppo.
We sat at the Kitchen Table where we can see the cooks do their stuff
We got a complimentary photo post card from Buca
I absolutely love this place! Get huge discounts on Disney stuff
Nelson, Nathan and I went to Las Vegas. This is our second vacation this year.
Nathan behaved pretty well on the plane.
Since we never stayed at Bellagio Hotel before, we decided to stay there for 4 days, 3 nights. We were used to staying at a suite like Venetian, Encore and Vdara. So staying at Bellagio’s standard room was just OK. But the room was clean and bed very comfortable.
Our room had the view of the pools and City Center
After we checked into our hotel, we hit the pool! As usual, Las Vegas is always over 100 degrees during the Summer. So hanging out at the pool was really nice. Great way to stay cool.
Since our air/hotel package included a show, we decided to watch Tournament of the Kings at Excalibur. We could have watched another show, but we felt that Nathan would enjoy this show more than other shows like Fantasy Girls 🙂 Also, this show included dinner.
Before the show started, we played some games at the Fun Dungeon in Excalibur.
The games spits out tickets that you can redeem for toys at the Fun Dungeon. Nathan playing with some of the toys he got from the Fun Dungeon while having gelato.
When we eat at Las Vegas, we usually eat at the usual places like the buffets, Earl’s Sandwich, Serendipity, etc. But after seeing so many people in line at the BURGR (Gordan Ramsay’s restaurant), we decided to try it. The restaurant opens at 11am. Before the restaurant opened, there were a lot of people in line already. Good thing we got in line before the line got longer. After eating at BURGR, I don’t mind going back again.
Both Nelson and I got milkshakes. Nelson got a coconut pudding with strawberry milkshake while I got a creme brulee pudding with Oreo shake. Both milkshakes are very thick and rich and very good.
I got the Hell’s Kitchen burger (asadero cheese, roasted jalapeno peppers, tomato and avocado).
BURGR is a very expensive place to eat. Even though Yelp says it is a great place for kids… I feel it really isn’t great for kids due to the high price and not so many selections for kids to eat other than french fries. The parents would have to share the expensive burger with the kids to save money.
June 1, 2013 was the saddest day of my life. Even writing this blog is almost bringing me into tears. It was very hard to say goodbye.
Few weeks ago, I noticed that under his nice grey fur that my Smeagol had lost weight. I thought he got tired of his food. After I boiled him chicken meat and he ate it, I thought his appetite was back. However, this past Memorial weekend, he stopped eating. He slept more than usual. Also he was more thirsty than usual.
On May 28, I took him to the vet in Vallejo and they took blood tests. I was able to bring Smeagol home that day. Around 6:57pm, I got a call from the vet and he told me the bad news. Smeagol’s kidney was no longer functioning properly. That night I couldn’t sleep. I kept checking up on Smeagol to make sure he was still breathing.
On May 29, I took him back to the vet. Even with the medications that was given to him, Smeagol’s condition was not getting better. I had a feeling that I will never be able to bring him back home.
I visited him at the vet every day so I can spend as much time as I can with him.
On June 1, we had our last visit with Smeagol at the vet’s office. It was 3:45pm when we got to the vet’s office. Smeagol lost even more weight. I can tell he was uncomfortable. To give him comfort, I talked to him, hugged him, pet him and pretty much stood by his side the whole time. After speaking with the vet, it was clear that there was nothing else he can do to help Smeagol.
After a talk with Nelson, we decided to have Smeagol euthanized. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life.
I held Smeagol’s head and pet him gently while the vet administered the fluid into his system. Smeagol fell asleep quickly, quietly and peacefully. He would have been 11 yrs old this August.
I am very sad but I know our cat Smeagol is in a better place and no longer suffering.
Nelson told me to just remember all of the good times we had with Smeagol.
Here are pictures of our dear Smeagol.
First day we brought Smeagol home when he was a kitten about 4-5 months old
Posing for the camera
Some of his friends
Different places he loved to hide
When he was cold, he always laid where the sun shines in the house
Whenever we use our fireplace, he enjoyed sitting in front of it
He used his paw to grab water from the bowl to drink
Our playtime together
After I come back home from a long trip, he especially loved hanging out with me all day long. He would follow me everywhere inside the house. Most of all, he missed my warm lap.
I will never hear his ‘meow’, brush his smooth fur, feel his warmth from his tummy while he sat on my lap, play with him and hug him. I miss him terribly. He was not only our pet, but was also a part of our family. He will always be in our heart and thoughts.
I put some toys together for Nathan’s first Easter basket. I got him a bouncy baton that lights up, Angry Birds stuff animal that makes bird sounds, slinky fan and of course mini-machines toy cars.
His reaction when he first saw the Easter basket
We visited the Sonoma Traintown Railroad. It was our first visit. Now that we have Nathan, we have a better reason to go there. This traintown is pretty much for kids
Our tickets to ride one of their miniature trains
It’s time for a train ride!
The train rode through the woods, bridges and passed by some waterfall
The train stopped at this miniature town
Nathan exploring the small town
We took Nathan and my nieces to the snow today. It is actually Nathan’s first time in the snow. We did take him sledding at the man-made snow at Discovery Kingdom (Marine World) last season, but it isn’t the same as sledding in real snow.
We went to the snow park at Boreal. To use their snow park, we had to get a permit which cost $5. We bought a snow board from Costco for $20 and Nelson brought an extra inflatable sled from home so that we won’t be fighting for one sled 🙂
Our sad snowman
Us playing on the snow
Lets go sledding!
Here are some videos.
Nelson using using inflatable sled to push Nathan and Joy
Joy and Jewel ‘WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE HERE!’
Snowball fight anyone?
