The Golden Gate

In early April, we took a few days during Alex's spring break to visit some family and friends in the Bay Area. David caught a cold the day before we left and was sick for the entire trip, but we made the best of it. We visited my uncle and his wife just outside Napa and later stayed with my friend Karen and her family in Pacifica, just south of San Francisco.

Karen, her husband Ted, her father June, and son Riley took us to a food truck event at Fort Mason, but just before that we stopped at the base of the Golden Gate bridge. Ted pulled out his Nikon D7000 and snapped these beautiful pics. Our hair is a little messy because of the wind, but it was a beautiful day. So blessed to have such great family and friends.

Alex is at that age where he doesn't like to pose for photos:

The only way to get Alex to smile in photos now is to take one when he is not looking

That's where we want to be, livin' in

An artist friend of mine invited me to the Beverly Hills Art Show.

Mr Nix and mini Nix

It's almost like being in LOVE.

Alex deciding if he wants to buy the art sculpture,

He likes the tree better but it won't fit in his room.

It makes for a great jungle gym.

Giant tulips grew before our very eyes.

Alex at the Paley Center for Media.

Saw lots of paparazzi on our walk down Rodeo Drive

but it was for the black and yellow Bugatti.

The highlight was David meeting Jack Taylor.

http://www.jacktaylorthemovie.com/

Forever 29

My birthday at a local Malaysian food restaurant.

Selamat Hari Jadi!

School News

Another sign that our son is growing up.

Back to school. Alex first day with his teacher.

Alex is a little shy about his front teeth missing. We think he looks so adorable.

All work and no play?

Fall is in full swing beginning with a little overtime.

One Saturday, we went to David's work. My hubby working hard.

Alex helping Daddy out by watching one of his shows on the computer.

Hey - get back to work Mr. Nix! Alex knows how to mix business with pleasure.

HB Central Park Concert Summer 2010

An orchestra playing big band style music entertained the crowd.

Alex was distracted and wanted to play with the kids.

Here he is playing with the first Fall leaves.

Thank you God for a great Summer!

You belong in the Zoo

Highlights of Summer 2010. A day at the Santa Ana Zoo.

The train ride around the zoo.

Keeping a close distance - do llama's spit?

David posing by the waterfall to keep cool.

We love those windmills.

A little monkey business in the cage.

Cool camel rides - but Alex preferred to watch.

Let's give them something to blog about

We finally made it out to Laguna Beach and the Festival of the Arts, where the Bright Sun painting Alex did was featured in a Junior Artist Exhibit. You may remember a few months ago, this painting was at MainPlace mall in Santa Ana with a bunch of his classmates' work as part of another children's art exhibit.

Well, this exhibit was much smaller, so Alex was one of only 2 people from his school selected. How awesome is that?!

Unfortunately, Alex was a bit of the tempermental artist today as we visited with David's parents and aunt. So he was a bit grumpy.

We tried to go last month with Mom and Tante Hanna, but Laguna Canyon Highway was jammed so we gave up and headed to San Juan Capistrano instead. This time we headed out before 10am to beat any crowds, which worked. As a featured artist, Alex got free admittance plus five guests, so everyone got in free!


Alex's sun is on the top row next to the 1st grade sign




Pages from the exhibit program. Alex is the second artist listed.

Kayaking in Newport

Yesterday we decided to try kayaking in Newport. Southwind Kayak offers rentals right where PCH meets Newport Bay. It was $20 an hour for a 2-person kayak, but since Alex looks to be under 40 pounds, he could go in the middle. We set off on a cloudy afternoon, but that was fine as it kept us from getting too hot. The rental place recommended heading into the harbor first, as we would have the wind to our back on the return trip, when we were more tired.









I sat in front and Alex sat on David's lap in the back. Alex tried to row a few times, but he didn't really have any power, so David rowed and Alex just enjoyed the view. Though the harbor wasn't that busy, we stuck to the side, looking at all the mansions and their fancy boats. It took us about a half-hour to reach the main channel a half-mile away (where the wedding boats cruise) then we turned around and headed back for the bay. We cruised in there for a little while, not getting too far and headed back. It was tiring but a lot of fun for an hour.

After we were done, we headed next door to this little floating fish market. The outside looked very "yaaarrrr!" like an old sea captain. We bought a filet of halibut for under $5 and went home and fried it up. Yummy!

FV Classic Car Show

Last Saturday we checked out a classic car show in Mile Square Park.












Alex, the (fire) engine inspector








If you haven't guessed, this was the 33rd Hudson built.

Alex got a chance to sit in a real drag racing car.