tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60853451543148394192026-10-21T11:30:34.948-05:00Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger941125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-13468196917573704222026-10-21T09:00:00.000-05:002026-10-21T09:00:00.213-05:00

Southernmost point of the continental U.S.Before I talk about the trip, I need to vent. Southwest sucks. Sucks hard. Unfortunately, I'm pretty much locked in with them since I have the Companion Pass (a friend flies free) and my job requires that I use them when booking work trips. There's not one flight, not one, that's ever flown as originally scheduled. There is always a delay. And for our

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-67379921501812458702026-10-14T09:00:00.000-05:002026-10-14T09:00:00.116-05:00

The days of going to Target or Walmart to causally buy Pokemon cards are over. I heard that Pokemon had become popular but never experienced it first hand until recently. I stopped buying cards back in 2015 when the big boys lost interest but recently bought some when I went to Japan in 2025. I just got random Japanese Pokemon cards that looked "cool" for the kids and thought, I actually like

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-78948007799912815222026-10-07T09:00:00.000-05:002026-10-07T09:00:00.123-05:00

I finally cashed in on my birthday gift, a croissant cooking class.Carefully measured and cut.Looks good.Our finished products: jambon and gruyere (ham and cheese) and pain au chocolat (chocolate) croissantsEnjoying our final creations.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-16449287013096243662026-09-30T09:00:00.000-05:002026-09-30T09:00:00.117-05:00

For Elliot's birthday, we did an escape room (Escapology) and finished with only 3:51 left to spare.Good thing she's small and limber because there was no way I could get through that.Traditional birthday morning donut (Parlor Doughnuts).Elliot chose Olive Garden for her birthday dinner.Weekend family dinner at Mia's Table. Jacob stayed in TAMU since he had four exams to study for.Cake time!

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-22694797873020070232026-09-23T09:00:00.000-05:002026-10-04T07:02:24.724-05:00

Elliot got to participate in the Shadow Creek homecoming parade.Staff and student (mother and daughter).Pokemon 30th Celebration released on Sept. 16 and I had no luck getting any.But I did score on an earlier presale from Pokemon Center and it arrived on release day.For my cheat meal, I had to get the limited-time only pizza smash burger at Stuffed Belly. It was so worth the calories.Cheat meal

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-41745411226254167532026-09-16T09:00:00.000-05:002026-09-24T17:44:21.856-05:00

I played in my first pickleball tournament, but it was just for funsies. It was held at the Viet Culture Fest; not at a proper pickleball venue. We played on the concrete floor with taped yellow lines. There were multiple activities going on simultaneously, which were loud and distracting, e.g. banging drums and cymbals. It was not ideal but everyone had to deal with it too. Our "courts" 😅

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-54360026720644616132026-09-09T09:00:00.000-05:002026-09-09T22:50:02.200-05:00

We took a brief trip to Dallas to finally watch The Odyssey, but in IMAX 70 mm. According to the internet, there were only 25 theaters in the U.S. playing the movie the way Christopher Nolan intended it to be watched. I really didn't think much of it until I saw a behind the scenes clip of what it took to show this movie in IMAX 70 mm format. Wow, that's crazy. Cinemark Dallas was the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-83438066582185171842026-09-02T09:00:00.000-05:002026-09-02T09:00:00.119-05:00

Andrew will be attending Texas A&M (and sharing a room with Jacob).One last family meal before the big boys head off to college (Jimmy Changas).Last minute shopping at Target, along with everyone else in College Station.Andrew sent us this picture on his first day of class.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-7407362702588085822026-08-26T09:00:00.000-05:002026-08-26T09:00:00.117-05:00

And then there were two... Elliot starts 5th grade and Tyson starts 10th grade.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-20962075665785289302026-08-19T09:00:00.000-05:002026-08-19T09:00:00.203-05:00

Tyson celebrating his 15th birthday with his friends.Traditional birthday morning donut.UMI buffet for his birthday lunch.Pizza and cake with friends for his birthday dinner.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-60415354075516706182026-08-12T09:00:00.000-05:002026-08-12T09:00:00.117-05:00

Look at the blue water at the horizon.An hour wait for our first meal (dinner) at Port Aransas (Lelo's Island Bar).We got drinks to pass the time.Night stroll on the beach.Got breakfast burritos at The Texan, a really close resemblance to Buc-ee's.Birthday beach day.With the kiddos.With my love.Pizza buffet at Port A Pizzeria.Dessert pizza.Pickleball to burn off all of those calories.Original

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-5897037835670693632026-08-05T09:00:00.000-05:002026-08-05T09:00:00.117-05:00

Brisket and fried rice at Brisket & Rice.On the way to College Station, we stopped by the RTIC flagship store.And got lunch at Red Chickz. (It's okay.)A rare find at HEB (College Station).On the way back, we got dinner at a Texas Monthly's top 50 BBQ joint (Brisket & Rice).The whole family watched Spider-Man: Brand New Day. 👍👍Game night at our house. Even Elliot was playing

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-89432839909009142042026-07-29T09:00:00.000-05:002026-07-29T09:00:00.113-05:00

It's been nearly four years since our last daddy daughter day.Painting pottery at The Mad Potter.Korean corn dogs from Two Hands (and ate in the car since they didn't have a dining area).Elliot was going to pay for these cards but they let her have it for free.We both got a satisfying haul of Pokemon cards (and I got free socks).Our finished pieces (a few weeks later).

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-66403780632584774802026-07-22T09:00:00.000-05:002026-07-22T09:00:00.116-05:00

Family reunion (photo by Lilly)A smaller turnout for this year's family reunion but still super fun.Oddly satisfying to cook up 48 hot dogs in one go.Lilly, the one that made it all happen.The interview with the parents and hearing each (crazy) story of how they came to America.We went to a card show at Post Houston and Elliot made a killin'. She got a graded Pokemon card for free, just

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-28747933813303717962026-07-15T09:00:00.000-05:002026-07-15T09:00:00.113-05:00

Lynn and I took a five day getaway to Los Angeles all because I wanted an Ohtani bobblehead. Well, that's how it all started... when I bought Dodgers tickets before buying our plane tickets or booking a hotel.  I've vowed to never come back to LA but I keep coming back. It's mainly due to the horrific traffic but I serendipitously booked a hotel close to the Metro, saving myself from

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-28190483056008111272026-07-08T09:00:00.000-05:002026-07-08T09:00:00.117-05:00

Traditional picture of the kids but with our new fur babies.Chili dogs for lunch.Smash burgers for dinner.Elliot made some cupcakes.We made berry trifle together.And I made strawberry pound cake ice cream.The following day, we had a pizza party to celebrate Chris' birthday.Opening Pokemon packs.We got introduced to Mahjong and I'm addicted.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-57983404908820927582026-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:002026-07-01T09:00:00.119-05:00

Five years ago was the first time I decided to grow out my hair, but that was only the top half. This time around I decided to grow out my whole head of hair, to see how it goes. The goal was to grow it out long enough to tie up, which seemed easier than styling it each morning. But long hair is annoying. It took longer than usual to wash my hair and to maintain. Letting my hair down got too

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-70695280160214318862026-06-24T09:00:00.000-05:002026-07-03T08:10:11.810-05:00

Welcome, Luna and Apollo. Their story began on April 14, 2026 when their mother left them and their siblings after birth. Lynn's aunt found them abandoned and brought them in. Out of the bunch, these two were the only ones to survive. But she doesn't have the time to care for them so we happily adopted them. So on father's day weekend, we added two new additions to the household.When

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-76398202988895854942026-06-17T09:00:00.000-05:002026-06-17T09:00:00.122-05:00

Two-third family picture at Big Sur.Sister City Park (Monterey, CA)Tyson loved his clam chowder at Old Fisherman's Wharf.San Carlos BeachUp close to a group of sea lions.Gianni's Pizza (Monterey, CA)Carmel BeachThe famous Pebble Beach golf course in the background.Just horsing around.Strolling down Ocean Ave.Dutch Door Donuts were so good (Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA).Big SurView of Julia Pfeiffer

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-3971186047000266912026-06-10T16:00:00.000-05:002026-06-10T16:00:00.114-05:00

Since Elliot was a fourth grader (soon to be fifth grade), we had to cash in on Every Kid Outdoors (free admission to all national parks) before it was too late.I've always wanted to see the giant sequoia trees so off to California we went, where there are several national parks relatively close together.For this trip though, it was only two-third of the family. Lynn and Andrew were on their

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-19242162541871995042026-06-03T09:00:00.000-05:002026-06-03T09:00:00.203-05:00

Another kid graduates high school.Friday evening graduation at Freedom Field.Shadow Creek High School - Class of 2026Andrew's support group (limited to 10 tickets per graduate). Pictures from the professional photographer.Yay!Grandparents.Grandmother and uncles.Friends.Soccer bros.Family graduation party for Andrew, Bella, and Vivian.Big, thick, delicious chocolate cake.The graduates.Family

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-90801829664799201562026-05-27T09:00:00.000-05:002026-05-27T09:00:00.121-05:00

This past week, we got some nasty weather which caused so many disruptions. First, I had a work trip to Amarillo on the same day the storm front came through Texas. My original flight was set to depart at 4:30 p.m. but it got delayed multiple times and pushed back so far that I didn't arrive in Amarillo until after 3 a.m. 😵That's way past my bedtime.That same storm front eventually made it

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-66665089068734338702026-05-20T09:00:00.000-05:002026-05-20T09:00:00.116-05:00

Mother's Day brunch at our house.Head chef and lead server.Strawberries and cream, and yogurt parfait.Our guests.Our guests (continued).The mothers.Boba after brunch.Hunting for more Pokemon cards. Yes, we're obsessed at the moment.Belated Mother's Day lunch at Bun Slut.Double smashburger. 😋Okinawa (black sesame and brown sugar) latte at Kohiko. I love their decor.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-81629815556676419672026-05-13T09:00:00.000-05:002026-05-13T09:00:00.187-05:00

I got to chaperone Elliot and her friends on their field trip.This was also my first time here at Space Center Houston.Jacob accompanied me to help chaperone.Elliot's teacher was also Jacob's teacher, 12 years ago.Elliot's GT showcase (bridges) a couple of days later.A surprise visitor, Jacob.Friday night art show at ARTECHOUSE.The school art club got to showcase their group work.Experiencing the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6085345154314839419.post-30966118176270964212026-05-06T09:00:00.002-05:002026-05-07T10:19:01.433-05:00

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's unicorn (great pitcher and hitter), was coming to town. He is my absolute favorite baseball player and I have to go see him whenever I can. Our last time was four years ago when he was with the Angels.I bought tickets in right field for that (slim) chance of catching an Ohtani home run ball but unfortunately, he wasn't in the batting lineup. He was the starting pitcher

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0