Mother’s Day at Buster’s

On Mother’s Day, we ended up in Long Beach at a restaurant called Buster’s. It’s a Hawaiian-themed restaurant that serves burgers and such--like Islands but at the ocean. It wasn’t crowded and we got a seat by the window so we could watch the boats sail in and out of Naples Bay. We even saw the big yellow Long Beach Water Taxi come in to drop off passengers.

Outside Buster’s on Naples Bay. Alex was scared of the seagulls.






The day before, we treated our mothers to a massage at a local day spa and then I took them to my favorite French-Vietnamese bakery, Pierre Boulangerie


The selection of temptations at Pierre Boulangerie


post by Armilyn

Fullerton Train Day

A few weeks ago, Fullerton held a train festival at their train station parking lot. There were model trains galore, as well as full-size trains from Amtrak and other private charter companies. We went right after church and took 2 kids, Ichiro and Nicole, from church along with us.

There's a company called LA Rail, which was refurbishing some old Pullman sleeper cars and dining cars. I guess they do charter trips to New Mexico and Seattle, as well as day-trips to the San Diego area. The train cars still needed a lot of work, but I would love to take a trip on them. Very cool and Art Deco looking.

Ichiro and Nicole




Inside the huge tent of model trains


The original locomotive from the Disneyland Railroad


post by Armilyn

Alexander's 6th Birthday

Alex turned 6 on May 19. Since that was on a Monday, we held a party the Saturday before with family, classmates and teachers. We took everyone to Boomers Park in Irvine, which is one of those family fun places with go-karts, miniature golf, batting cages, etc. Alex loves to go on the go-karts with David or myself, but we found out that this particular Boomers had mini-go-karts for smaller kids to drive by themselves.

Well, when Alex arrived, he ran right towards those. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to drive, so once he got on, he didn't know what to do. He would push the gas pedal but let go immediately, so he would just jerk the car forward. Plus he didn't know how to steer and kept crashing. So after only travelling a few feet and blocking the 3 other drivers, David pulled him out, much to Alex's chagrin. David took him to the regular go-karts and had to force him in. But once they were buckled in, Alex got the idea and calmed down. The double go-karts have a non-functioning steering wheel for the kids, which Alex loved. They got going and Alex loved it. Once David and Alex finished, it was my turn with Alex. It was a fun course!

Did I mention that his theme was Speed Racer? I got 2 Speed Racer cars for cake decoration, and Alex got some more Speed Racer stuff as presents. And we haven't even seen the movie yet!

Any way, here's a collage of the day. The husband of one of Alex's teachers got some great action photos of us racing!

Click the picture to enlarge


Later Alex went on one of those stomach-churing bouncy rides. Of course he loved it.


Alex giving his teacher, Miss Jill, a hug.


Alex opening presents later at his grandparents


post by Armilyn

Some Pictures from April

Here are some pictures from last month. We just figured out how to transfer photos from our new camera phone to our computer.



Lougene's daughter Leila and her grandfather Mark, and great-grandfather Virgil


A day at the park



Slot car racing at a birthday party


Alex and David go-kart racing


Green furniture at a garden show



Pics from a spring garden show


Mom and Dad's 40th anniversary

Some things cost more than you realize

posted by David