J Pop and Tahoe

I know that I've been doing an awful job with updating this, so I'm going to try to do better instead of trying to cram an entire month into one post.

A couple of Saturdays ago, we went down to San Francisco with my mom and brother, Robert, his wife, Kayla, and our friend Paul. We headed down to Japantown since I don't think the kids have ever been, I know it's so shameful. We had a lot of fun especially since there was a J Pop Festival going on that we didn't even realize was that weekend. There were lots of people dressed up almost like anime characters. Apparently there was a costume contest for best circus themed costume. I, of course, had to ask to get a pic in with some of them. We listened to a couple of bands playing. The girl bands are so cute! We also stopped by this cupcake shop that I had read about in blogs so really wanted to stop by to try them out. So Good! And we had an amazing lunch that made me miss Japan even more. Their spicy tuna roll was the most amazing thing I've probably had in a long time in terms of sushi, even though it's such a simple roll. Super yums!

Cako! I love their display window

In Japan, they always display their food out front, along with the menu

Paul trying to steal a kiss

After Japantown, we headed down to the beach. We stopped by the Exploratorium and were able to take some pictures next to the pond there. We also wanted to try to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge, especially Kayla who's never seen it. Unfortunately, a thick fog canvased over everything so we could barely see anything more than 40 feet ahead of us, but we did drive over it so she was able to see it in parts. It was a fun day to spend together, especially since it was Robert and Kayla's last weekend at my mom's house. They just moved to Davis to be near Robert's school. Elijah and Chloe already miss them and it's only been a couple of days without them here.

I don't know what it is about trees that make the kids think they're like slides, but both tried to slide down the tree.

 Again, another attempt at a group photo

Both kids have great moves, here's Elijah busting out one of his

Robert and Kayla are such a cute couple

On the other side of the bridge, the fog lifted but in the distance it looked like a waterfall. It was really pretty.

During the week, we laid low, mainly because we took turns not feeling well. I did find time to come up with a new cookie recipe though (you can find the recipe on my new project site here). I had to try to find something fun for the kids being locked up for days.

Yesterday, which was Labor Day, we finally were able to break out of our confinement and drove up to South Lake Tahoe with my mom and brother, Christian. Its such a pretty drive and place. I was expecting it to be a lot cooler than what it was. We headed down to the beach and enjoyed a picnic together. Afterwards, Christian took the kids down into the water to chase some ducks. The kids had so much fun playing in the water. Chloe kept trying to dive into the water. Sometimes, I'm amazed at how she's my little daredevil when other times she can be really sensible and cautious. They loved the beach though. We went for a walk through the woods to dry off. It was such a fun and relaxing day. That is until our drive back home. It took us 4 hours to get home, because people apparently forget how to drive in two separate lanes after being in one lane for so long.  The day knocked out the kids though and we were all able to sleep in a bit this morning.

 The kids are trying to bury Christian in the sand

It was SO pretty! Too bad we didn't bring swim suits

This is where she kept trying to dive

Proof I was there too

remember, I like the look of bark, yes it might be weird but whatever :)

 Christian's a poser! haha

Elijah getting a drink

Chloe getting her turn

And now Chloe's comfy while Christian's getting his drink

Elijah loved all of the giant pinecones

This is a really thin canoe... those Native's musta been small people (I think it might be my tribe around this part haha)

The canoe was Chloe's favorite thing to play on

I like Chloe's face in this pic because it's almost like "what's Christian doing now?" lol

Would you be surprised that this was the hardest to pry Elijah away from

Hugs for my Bugs!

He wanted to be King Kong

This fascinated Chloe but at the same time freaked her out if you got closer than two feet to it

Grandma treated to icecream

Cheers!

The closest Christian will come to ever having his own mustache lol

Almost every other person was driving down the middle of both lanes, I finally passed them by getting into the left lane since there was the most room and was herding them into the right lane.

Okay, so this post might not have been much shorter, but still pictures help, right :)