Thanksgiving 2012

Ever so grateful for an awesome Thanksgiving celebration this year filled with so MANY blessings.  Our loving family is complete, as always, including my dear niece, Daisy, and dear auntie Edith who came to join us this year.

Though the usual turkey was absent from this year's menu  (our oven had a stuck key that couldn't be reset)  we still had plenty to feast on including beef caldereta (stew), inihaw na bangus (grilled milkfish), empanaditas, and fruit salad. We eventually had the turkey the following day:) I set our old table (that we finally moved back from Pismo) in our family room so hubby and the boys can watch their favorite sports shows while feasting.

Later in the afternoon, we headed to the park for some photo shoot and some football fun for Isabella and big bro Phil (Isabella is inspired by a  book she's currently reading about a girl playing football).

While Phil and Isabella were playing football, Ian and I were enjoying photo shoot fun with Daisy as our photographer

And more park fun until dawn!!!

And park fun continued the following day, Friday, playing basketball and more football.

And for Saturday, it was on to bowling fun with the kids and Daisy who slept over.  They finally got me to play bowling for the very first time.

And we ended the week with fun in the city on a beautiful Sunday.  We (my sons, Daisy, and I) headed to Crissy Field after dropping Isabella off at SFB for Nutcracker rehearsal.  Immanuel met us there with our dog Isis.

And finally, after we picked up Isabella, our beautiful Sunday ended over wonderful dinner at the equally beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens 

Easter 2011

We're already well into the month of May and I'm just now posting our Easter 2011. I did post this on my Facebook page. The convenience of Facebook sometimes takes the place of blogging. OK, I guess I'm just justifying my lateness.

Isabella and I left for Pismo right after I picked her up from school, Friday, April 22nd (no ballet class at SFB). We stopped at Cal Poly to pick up Ian at his dorm.




As soon as we got to the house, Isabella and I posed for a photo-op in the backyard while Phil was barbecuing.



Then it was pure relaxation at our home sweet Pismo Beach home.

The following day, Russ and I had the pleasure of watching Isabella at CDMA's company class from 9-11am. It was a great treat for Russ and I as we don't really get to watch Isabella during classes at SFB. We were very pleased and proud of her progress not to mention the joy and passion that shows through her dancing. We're so grateful.

Then we were off to pick up the boys to head to the Easter Egg hunt at Dinosaur Caves Park. We got there at the tail end of the hunt. The website said the hunt for her age group starts at 12:10. We got there at 12:00 but the hunt had already started. It's so funny because in the previous years, we had trouble with the Easter Egg hunt. Last year, I made a mistake of taking her on a Sunday when it was on a Saturday (Easter 2010). Then in 2008 or 2009, we were trying to go to 2 hunts and we were just in the nick of time arriving at the Grover Beach hunt. The problem was that the hunt area was closed off from where we parked and we couldn't run in to the already in progress hunt. Phil made a comment that at least this year we're closer to the actual time. Anyway, Isabella still managed to get 3 eggs:).



After the hunt we went for lunch at Pierside Cafe by the beach

Previous Easter Posts

Chicago Trip - Day 1

Day 1 - Sunday - June 27, 2010

Millennium Park

Isabella on a "treasure hunt"

at the Chicago Cultural Center

Ian's High School Graduation

graduation ceremonies started at 9am

here we are while waiting for Ian to come out after the ceremonies





as soon as Ian got out, we headed to Newark buffet for a family lunch


Then we headed home to prepare for Ian's celebration. We picked up balloons and cakes and we even had the chance to browse at Best Buy for Ian's gaming computer system. Phil said he will build it for him and make it "the ultimate" gaming system:)

Phil: "Anyway, you're going with mom and Belle to Chicago for 3 weeks. I should have it done by the time you come back".

Ian was happy at the prospect knowing his brother's expertise and capabilities.

Here's grad and mom posing in the backyard:)

Then we headed to our venue: City Beach in Fremont. Everything was all set when we got there. All we had to do was set up our entertainment system (i.e. karaoke:) Unfortunately, I left the plug at home. It was all good...there were plenty of things to do....basketball, badminton, pool table, foosball, table tennis, and huge jolly jumpers. This is why we selected this venue. The kids love these activities. Everyone enjoyed playing. More photos here and here.





Inside the Program:

Message from the family

To our guests….

Thank you for joining us in celebrating our youngest son’s graduation. We are indeed very proud of Ian’s accomplishments. As some of you know, we moved to Pismo Beach before the end of his first semester at Logan High, thus adversely affecting his grades. He worked hard at Arroyo Grande High School despite the setback and undesired change. And today, we celebrate his determination and perseverance. Thank you for sharing in our joy. Blessings to you all.

To our graduate….

Dearest Ian,

We are so very proud of all your hard work, perseverance, and patience. As you move on to the next chapter of your life, may you remain the good person that you are. As you continue to strive and chase your dreams, always remember that your family will always be here to support and love you. Congratulations son!

Message from the graduate

To my family and friends….

This is it! I am so happy I’m finally done with high school! I am looking forward to the next phase of my life when I attend Cal Poly in the fall. I plan to major in Business Administration with a concentration on Information Systems Management. I am excited at the prospect of experiencing dorm life during my first year. My education thus far has been a fruitful learning experience not only academically but emotionally as well. I am blessed to have the loving support of wonderful family and friends like you. With that said, I feel well prepared for the road ahead. I believe that your encouragement and prayers will continue to be a key part of my success in future endeavors. For all your support, past, present, and future, I will forever be grateful.

Thank you so much for coming to celebrate with me.

24th Wedding Anniversary

Last week, Russ and I had the blessed chance to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary in the beautiful San Francisco where we first met.

We left the house around 2pm and took the train to the city, something we haven't done in years.

We got off at Montgomery station and walked toward Howard Street as we reminisced the time when we first met at Computer Learning Center where he was my instructor.

We checked in at the beautiful InterContinental Hotel by Moscone Center where he proposed to me 24 years ago. Thanks to my step brother, Alvin, who is the Regional Director for InterContinental hotels, our room was upgraded to the 27th floor, providing unobstructive views of the beautiful San Francisco bay.


After we checked in, we walked across the street and had a fabulous lunch at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant.

Then we walked to Market Street for some shopping at Westfield San Francisco Centre.

The following morning we had Japanese food for lunch before heading to the Bart station on Powell.

It was a wonderful and precious 24th wedding anniversary celebration.

Pismo Beach - June 5, 2010

Our bible study group has been wanting to visit our Pismo Beach home. I was concerned that we won't be able to squeeze it into our very busy summer schedule. But we were able to make it happen this past weekend. It was short but a lot of fun.

My mom and I left for Pismo Friday afternoon so we can prepare the house. Isabella still had her final Saturday SFBallet class. It was our first time being away from each other (we kept calling and texting each other until bedtime:) Russ took her to SFBallet on Saturday together with Ian and Immanuel and they all drove straight to Pismo after class.

The bible study group arrived around 11am. Only 5 of them could make it: Gabby, Fe, Nita, Vicky and Cesar. After lunch and a short rest, we headed for the beach.

Then Russ and the kids arrived and met up with us at Shell Beach around 3pm. They started playing touch football while we started the barbecue. It was a sight to behold for a mom like me. It always melts my heart when I see them having fun together. Truly a wonderful blessing I am so grateful for.

After chowing down grilled steak and fish, we headed to the beach where the boys went surfing and bodyboarding.

While Isabella entertained herself dancing on the soft beach sand.

All in all it was a wonderful and blessed day.

The following day, Sunday, our bible study group left early around 7:30am as they were worried about the dogs they left home alone:). After they left we started preparing to spend the remaining time for another blessed family bonding. We headed to Port San Luis in Avila Beach but not before a quick stop at Isabella's CDMA dance teacher, Ms. Kathy's, home at Shell Beach. Ms. Kathy and her garage is a huge part of Isabella as a dancer. It is where she started the beginnings of her journey toward her passion for dance. Ms. Kathy was the first one to recognize and encourage her talent. Isabella trained with Ms. Kathy for two and a half years, the first year in the garage.

here's an old photo with Isabella (the smallest one) training/stretching in Ms. Kathy's garage.

After a wonderful "catch up" talk, we were off to Port San Luis where the boys tried to go fishing.


While Russ and I savored our blessed family togetherness .

The weather was too hot so the fishing escapade didn't last long and we ended up spending time over lunch at this "hole in the wall" place on the port. All in all, it was another blessed family time.

And oh my mom had fun picking some rock crabs...one of her faves.

My mom loves the sea...sea food, sea activities (i.e. boating, fishing, etc.) Last week, she and dad Dennis caught this sea creature. My mom wished it was something they could eat but they ended up putting it back in the ocean as they didn't know what it was.

The Joy of Mother's Day 2010

My mom and I woke up to a wonderful breakfast prepared by my darling husband and daughter. They timed it perfectly so that we have enough time to prepare for the 9am service. Russ even woke up at 5am to shop at Wal-Mart after realizing we didn't have flour for the banana bread. They started early to prepare my favorite breakfast food: longanisa (Philippine pork sausage), bacon, eggs and freshly baked banana bread. No wonder Isabella was interviewing me on the way home from SFBallet as to my favorite breakfast food. It was a indeed a blessed, wonderful Mother's Day gift of love. Our son Phil even came to visit 2 weekends in a row (he was also here last weekend to watch the Mayweather vs. Mosely boxing fight with us at the Magcale's home. My son and I are Pacquiao fans:) It is such a blessing sharing wonderful moments with our kids. Everyday is Mother's Day for me.

Easter 2010

After Easter Sunday service at New Life Church, the kids and I had brunch and headed at the Dinosaur Caves Park for easter egg hunt...or so we thought. The event was Saturday and not Sunday (lol). Oh well, it got us all together and that's really what is important anyway. Bless my kids hearts...even the big boys made the most out of it by enjoying the park. See for yourself...





and of course I savored the moment and the view (it was a gorgeous day) even though it was my fault for confusing the dates:)



Russ arrived from Union City shortly after and met us at the Park.

Leaving from the park, Phil discovered he was missing his phone. He remembered it fell from his jacket pocket while we were at church. Thinking the same thing happened, we searched the park but to no avail.

Russ, Isabella, and I went grocery shopping while Phil drove home in hopes of somehow finding his phone there. I prayed for him to find his phone and sure enough it was found. Ian spotted it in the backyard. Phil laid his jacket there when he tried to fix our backyard umbrella during our pit stop after church. And the rest of the day was blissful Easter 2010 memory.

related posts: Easter Egg Hunt 09, Easter Egg Hunt at home

The Joys of Commuting and Gallivanting

One of the simple joys from the whole SFBallet experience is our increased bonding time. We take advantage of our commute time by engaging in meaningful conversations. There are times when I get blown away by the wisdom that comes out of my DD, Isabella, and I can't believe she's only 10 years old.

We also try to take the opportunity to spend Saturday afternoons, after Isabella's ballet class, gallivanting in the city (particularly Union Square). We normally have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and then we do some shopping at Macy's.

Last Saturday was extra fun because it was Macy's 64th Annual Flower Show, "Spring is in the Air" event. Isabella also enjoyed the Easter cookie decorating event sponsored by Palace Hotel.