People, Places and Photography

We had a leisurely day at the backyard where Connie picked a few nice ears of corn from our garden. It is as sweet as they say when it’s picked fresh straight from the garden to the grill. After a dip in the pool, the kids were hungry for corn, watermelon, BBQ ribs, and garlic bread. Then it was off to Walnut for the annual fireworks. We went down to Suzanne Park near Walnut High School to see the display. Last time we went Harrison got frightened by the loud sound. This year I think he enjoyed himself quite well. Not one tear. In fact he was calm throughout the show.

We had a beach party at Huntington Beach for a very unusual occasion. It was someone’s birthday. While Shepard and Harrison’s aunt and cousins were here, we thought it would be fitting to celebrate at the beach with a bonfire. Dolor, Sebastian, Samuel, Margaret, and Apollo were there to celebrate with the festivities. It was a real treat because we had all all kinds of food like BBQ ribs, watermelon, corn on cob. We grilled the corn in the fire and made some soup as well. Finally everyone had a chance to make Smores in the open fire. The party lasted past sunset and we packed up our gear under the moon lit night. Enjoy the photos.

It was a perfect day for a dip in the pool. Shepard’s cousins just arrived from Vegas and the cool inviting pool was a wanted relief from their long hot drive down. Armed with squirt guns, Sebastian, Sammy, and Maggie along with Shepard had a small pool party. Even uncle Apollo got into the action. They played until the sun went down. See the SLIDESHOW. Fun, fun, fun…

Our visit to Exposition Park in Los Angeles was our second time. This time with Harrison. We figured it was a great place to find out more about dinosaurs since Shepard has had a craving for prehistoric animals since his visit to the Discovery Center in Orange. Plus, he got to see Jurassic Park recently. He’s so into dinos that he imitates T-Rex. He makes this really funny expression on his face; beady eyes and lower lip sticking out. He crouches down and with two fingers, like small stubby arms of T-Rex. Then he starts walking around with gigantic steps like a predator in search of prey. So seeing the dinosaur exhibit at the Natural History Museum was a real treat for both Shepard and Harrison. Plus they got to see the Butterfly exhibit just outside the museum. Real butterflies flutter around you in this enclosed habitat just for them. Shepard was really anxious to touch them but he only got to touch the caterpillars. For a slide show, click HERE. Enjoy.

It was Kuya Louie’s last day in LA so we gathered up as many relatives we could to have a barbecue in our backyard. Uncle Rodrigue and family was there as well as Uncle Lito and Mark. Auntie Ily and Mamang Dianing wasn’t able to come because they were in Florida on vacation. It was perfect weather for swimming. Shepard stayed out in the sun so long he turned dark, but not as dark as Kuya Sebastian (you see him doing a cannon ball) All the kids had fun including Uncle Rodrigue’s kids. They joined in eventually. Wish Kuya could have stayed longer. I guess we would just have to remember how fun it was with pictures.

Spent a day at Disneyland with my brother Louie and his family visiting down from Anchorage. The kids of course had lots of fun. This was Shepard and Harrison’s first time to Disneyland. The place was packed but it wasn’t too long of a wait for some of the kiddie rides. With some exceptions like the Nemo Submarine ride was an hour and a half wait. Sammy and Sebastian was able see it with Uncle Polo and Francis. At the end of the day I couldn’t feel my legs. But it was a fun day well spent with family.