Bonnie, Brian & Toni Photo Shoot

I recently had the pleasure of meeting a fun couple, Bonnie and Brian (an animator from Sony Pictures), and their daughter, Toni. Toni turned one year old on the day of the shoot. What a fun birthday present. :)


Here are a few shots from the morning...

Toni just loves water!

This is my absolute favorite shot from the day.

New Year's Eve Party @ Wynn (Las Vegas)

It was that time again to party at the Wynn for New Years. This has been our tradition for the last few years since the Wynn first opened in Las Vegas. The resort hosted two separate parties on New Year's Eve - one for the adults that included a five course dinner & dancing to a live band, and another one for the kids. For some reason the theme this year was Scottish. I'll have to dig around to understand the significance of that. In the adult ballroom amongst the tables were lots of lights, trees, and various forms of plaid. Apparently plaid was in vogue this year. In addition to Judy's family, we partied with Travis and Vivien, Huay, some of Christy's friends, and our very own wedding photographer, Scott Robert Lim, and his wife, Stacey.

Judy and Huay on the dance floor.

This pictures clearly shows one of the great advantages in having your wedding photographer with you at a party. I actually made it to the "other side of the lens" this time with a beautiful photo by Scott.

Judy and Christy doing their usual silliness.

Travis and Vivien getting an early dessert.

Scott and Stacey

This year's dessert...All the servers came with almost 2,000 of these dishes at exactly 11:05 PM to match the time on the chocolate clock.

The kids had their own party in a ballroom next door. It was full of video games, clowns, face painting, carnival rides, candy, chocolate, photo booths, dinner food, and loads of prizes. Here's Jaelin sporting a couple of her acquisitions. After the party we rounded up all the kids and ran upstairs to view the fireworks from one of the rooms. Another great year. :)

Jaelin's Birthday Week Extravaganza!!

(The following was written by Judy)
Every year, my goal is to keep it simple. Plan just one birthday event. But it is hard for me to stop at just one, if not seemingly impossible. This year was no exception.

When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, Jaelin expressed overwhelming enthusiasm to see the immortal Shamu. So we visited Sea World the weekend before her birthday. While we were in San Diego, Jeremy's family and our good friend, Drew, also had a birthday celebration for her. Then on Sunday, Jaelin celebrated her birthday with my extended family - my cousins and their significant others, aunt & uncle, and maternal grandparents. On Monday, Jaelin's actual birthday, Jeremy and I brought her favorite treats to her preschool. The kids sang "Happy Birthday" to her (so cute!) and indulged in ice cream cupcakes and doughnuts. After picking her up from school that day, we drove to my parents' house to celebrate her birthday with my immediate family members. My dad shares the same birthday as Jaelin. Then the following Saturday, I could not help myself from planning another party for Jaelin with her friends. Some of our closest friends also attended. Because many of them do not have children (yet - ha!), I know it took a lot of courage and love to choose to be in the midst of chaos central. And for that, my heart is grateful.

We were beyond exhausted by the end of Jaelin's birthday extravaganza. But seeing her so happy was fuel to our soul. Our hearts were also delighted with inexpressible thanksgiving seeing the love of others for her. Happy birthday, my Lady. May you shine ever so brightly this fourth year of your life. May your every step be blessed with divine presence and guidance. May love and peace continue to root deeply into your soul, such that the unraveling of life would not alter the simple faith and trust you naturally display that speak healing to this dark world. I love you from a place of eternal thanks to our God for my good and perfect gift - you.

Starting the birthday week with homemade chocolate cake, complete with fairy dust, by Mor Mor (Jeremy's mom)






Sea World

Jaelin personally picked out a Shamu necklace bought by great grandmother Kay




To my horror, reaching into germ infested water. And to my even greater disgust, no washing facility nearby!






Jaelin with her preschool friends. Chase makes a handsome background.




Cooper Dooper Dolan






Rachael




Jaelin smiling as her butterfly designed cupcake "cake" was being creatively lit (the box blocked some of the wind)







Blowing out four candles has become a full time job!




Jaelin's pink chocolate cupcake




So this is how you get a bunch of kids to sit in a row!






Cooper and the ladies - Elissa, Kajsa (standing), Hannah, Carly, Jaelin, Ashley, Natalia & Ella




Carly's baby brother, whom I refer affectionately as "Grandpa Baby Dylan"




Jaelin and Carly, the other blond in her world (besides Ashlyn)




This is an exquisite picture of Ashley. And yes, she is this cute in person, too :)




Natalia - an absolute princess




Cooper and his dad, Mike




This little man makes my heart skip!!!




Our brave friends without children, clinging onto each other to survive the crazy world of too many excited children all together in too small a place




Jaelin with Carly and Hannah




Ella - swinging underneath the golden sun

New School, New Friends

Jaelin started pre-kindergarten last month at a new school. She's adjusting well, thanks to a couple of friends who have welcomed and taken her under their wings. Thank you to Noah and Rachael! You mean the world to her :)

Jaelin's 4-year-old Photo Shoot

My gosh is it THAT time again already? We decided that we would do a photo shoot of the kids on their birthdays every year. Well, Jaelin is turning 4-years-old, so we had another birthday photo shoot over the weekend. She's just blossoming in front of our very eyes. We're so proud of our little lady.

(the following was written by Judy)
I used to hear my own parents say this at every year of my development but truly, seriously, oh-my-goodness-gracious (!!!) I cannot believe that I am a mother of a (soon to be) four-year-old! Jaelin is full of spirit. Some might perceive it as stubbornness. But being someone who is often misunderstood in the same way, I'd like to describe it as "passionate." She knows what she likes, and she makes sure what she likes is as she likes it. Nothing wrong with that, right? For example, Jaelin insists that her ketchup forms a line on top of her hot dog. She likes ribbons on her hair. She loves bossing Jeremy around (ha!). Jaelin also loves to play Cinderella (interesting enough, she likes assuming the role of the stepmother or stepsister). She loves tea time. She often carries a tray of tea cups, cream and sugar, along with cookies & cake nicely arranged on top of small tea plates for us to share. She is very thoughtful. When I sit down, she asks if I need a pillow to be comfortable (she knows I have trouble with my back). She is very caring towards her baby brother. She makes sure that small toys are out of his reach because she knows they are dangerous for him. She also LOVES it when Chase watches her, and he just LOVES staring at her. She has been verbally spelling her name and is now writing it out. She already draws better than me! She is our sunshine, our world, our hope & dream. We thank God for every moment of her life. Happy 4th birthday, my lady. You are mommy's love, life and heart.

Here are a couple of shots from last year's photo shoot (3-years-old)...