San Francisco

Our family just back from San Francisco last night.  We had a great time down there and learned about the city.  So if you are ever to plan a trip there here are a few pointers.

- The weather is cold in the summer, feels like fall or early spring.  Be sure to pack sweaters, long pants and a toque.

- No need to rent a car if you stay downtown.  The transit system is awesome, and everything to see is in the downtown core within walking distance.

- San Franciscans are so friendly and so willing to help us out with directions and our kids.  At one point on the trip both girls were hurt and crying and I was trying to comfort both of them by myself and a kind lady approached me and started distracting the girls.  After she gave me a pep talk and told me I was doing a great job as a mom.

-  Do not miss the Aquarium of the Bay.  I didn't know what it was like and convinced Ed to take me just because I love aquatic animals.  I thought that there were just a few tanks and we were done.  I had no idea in the basement you get to walk through tunnels with fish swimming all around you.  If you look up you just might see a shark swimming over your head.  We loved it so much we went through twice.

- Make sure you train a bit before walking up Lombard Street.  That was quite hike pushing Lexi in the stroller.  I was huffing and puffing as Ed ran along pushing Cali.

- Chinatown is awesome and huge, one of the biggest in North America.  The R&G Lounge was the best Chinese Food we found.  Believe me we ate a lot of Chinese Food.  I think we had Dim Sum 4 or 5 days in a row.  I got to try lots of new foods.

- Also there is a little Italy, little Chile, and a Japantown.  The pasta was so fresh in little Italy... I can't go back to Boston Pizza!

- Do not enter Neiman Marcus unless you are dressed for it.  We went in looking for parts to our stroller... won't be doing that again.

Overall we had a great trip.  I don't have any pictures yet as Darryl was the official family photographer.  When he sends us a few I will be sure to post them.      

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

From the Yu Family

Overworked

Ed has been overworked this year.  The night before the last day of school he was up until 3:30am writing tests for his students.  This has been a common occurance over the past four months.  Between teaching, coaching, church assignments and a new baby Ed certainly is overdue for a holiday.

So this is an image of how a true teacher begins his Christmas Holidays.  You come home go downstairs take off your coat and pass out a pillow that is conviently lying on the floor. 

As you can see in this picture Ed is lying on his coat... he didn't have the energy to hang it up or get on the couch beside him.  He didn't even notice when Cali put a couch cushion on his head or nicely placed Sammy on his chest.  Cali was sweet enough to cover Ed and Sammy with a nice flowered receiving blanket.  So this is how Ed spent the first few hours of his Holidays. I swear he didn't move. 

I certainly hope that Ed is able to recharge his batteries over the next two weeks.  I miss my husband!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween everyone! This year Cali went trick or treating for the first time. I think that she had a great time from what Ed said; I stayed at home with the baby. I am sad that we didn’t get any more pictures of the special day. Cali dressed as a cow, Ed was a cowboy, I was a labour and delivery nurse and Lexi was a newborn. We were pretty cute I must say considering our costumes were kind of thrown together; things are different with two kids.

Cali walked right in the front door with her treats and sat down started eating. I think that she finished off all of her candy within 20 minutes. That’s my girl!!!  I don't hold back on the candy during Halloween.  That's what that night is all about!

After the trick or treating we headed over the Lindsay and Shane’s for the annual party. We had a great time there. The food was AMAZING! I wish I had more of an appetite. I really wish that I had of got some pictures. I am going to have to steal some off and Lindsay and post them later.

Anyway here are some pictures of Cali dressed up and a video of her as a “kitty cow”. Cali has been a kitty for about a month now. It’s so cute how they pretend at this age.  I am just loving two!

Happy October!

I have to admit I have been waiting for this month for about... 9 months. I was so excited to flip the page on my calendar and last week when got our first snowfall I was completely ecstatic! Cali and I went out and played in the yard for the first time in a few weeks. The 33 degree weather we had was going to kill me! I swear we have never had a better September than this year and I couldn't even enjoy it!


With winter approaching quickly I am ready to start decorating for Christmas! I know I must wait until Hallowe'en is over. I have completed my shopping I just need to wrap the gifts. I am just having difficulty finding a time when both Ed and Cali are out of the house or sleeping. Perhaps that will be next prenatal insomnia task. I am getting so excited for Cali to see her gifts! Christmas with kids is the best!

Thanksgiving was much enjoyed by our family. Ed's older brother Darryl came down from Edmonton and my parents came up from Okotoks to spend the day with us. The food was great as usual and we just had a great time spending time together as a family.

I am now 37 weeks and 4 days. So anytime now would be good. I think that I have everything ready now. I cooked up a storm all weekend and now our freezer is full with meals. I also washed and folded all the baby clothes, which now thanks to my daughter are scattered about the house. I am sure she will be willing to pick them up later :)

Another event; Ed and I puppy-sat over the weekend for a Chihuahua named Leah. I must admit that we both had some anxiety about it at the beginning but we survived quite well. Cali loved having a dog in the house, and referred to her only as "cute little doggy". She loved to help with Leah's care, so I am hoping this will be a similar reaction to her little "stister".

I just have a couple of videos that I want to share of Cali singing. It's funny Ed always talked about how he wanted his children to enjoy music; I think it’s safe to say he got his wish. Cali loves to sing and serenades us throughout the day.