On March 2nd, the day before Kelina turned 24, we celebrated her birthday. We went to Ocean’s Avenue Seafood and had lobster. The meal was fantastic. It was a fancy restaurant and when we walked in with you, we could tell people were upset because we brought a young child in. But your behavior was perfect and soon the people were smiling at you trying to get your attention. You are such a good girl!

Grandpa Roger and his sister, Aunt Diane came to visit us on March 7th. G-Pa cooked his delicious meals as usual. He was very happy that he didn’t have to cook in the sweltering kitchen of the old apartment! You really were drawn to Aunt Diane as we all are because she is such a gentle and loving person.

You and the potty on 3/17!

Malia and Eric went to the Reseda Park on March 20th for their Easter Egg hunt. You had a lot of fun with all the other kids. Then on Easter morning, the Easter bunny brought you a lot of presents and candy including a chocolate bunny. They were scattered all over the back yard and you were amazed everytime you found a new gift., especially the Laker basketballs and Laker’s outfit. Hmmmmmmm, the Easter bunny is a Laker fan!

In the beginning of February, you, with help from Mia were still dressing up!

Chinese New Year was February 16th this year and it became the year of the rat. We celebrated at Uncle Hay’s and Auntie Cathy’s. Auntie Janet kept trying to take her picture with you but you were too shy to do it so she finally snuck up behind you and we got a picture of both of you. You had this adorable Chinese outfit on. You are very lucky to have such a beautiful family that loves you very much!

Mommy and you saw our very first Laker game at Staples Center on 02/16/08. Your Uncle Ant in New York works for the NBA and he hooked Daddy up with some tickets. The seats were phenominal! Pau Gasol was playing his very first game and we got to see it! It was an extremely memorable experience.

Earlier in the year we found out that we had to move. Our building owner sold the complex to another company who was going to tear it down and build condos over it. We were getting gentrified! (You know I can say that because since my family has whites, blacks – really hawaiians/samoans, but people always think they they’re half black – and chinese, that we pretty much cover most of the gamut of races. So we can claim to be part of this horrible gentrification project! When we heard about it though, we were both really sad and horrified, but also somewhat happy.

It was kind of a sad occasion for us because of all the wonderful memories that we had there. It was in that complex that your mommy and I had first met over by the pool one summer. It was the place where we lived together for 5 years. It was the home where we celebrated many special occasions together, where we all grew together as a family. It was the place where you first called home, took your first steps and spoke your first words. The wall where we measured everyone’s height would be gone. The poop-hole (ask Tura) would be gone. No more hot miserable kitchen (ask G-pa). No more pool that you took your first dip in.

So it was a sad occasion but we were also happy that we wouldn’t have to deal with the noisy and annoying upstairs neighbor anymore and that we were about to move into a four bedroom house that we were going to rent. More rooms and our own backyard!

Goodbye Ole’ Apartment.

As we got ready for Christmas to come, we decorated MaMa and YehYeh’s house on December 8th.  You had a great time.

On December 9th, we sent to the annual party at the birthing center where you were born.  You and Mommy sat in the room that you were born in.  You rode the pony outside and loved it.  We took a picture of the assistant that delivered you because the mid-wife hadn’t showed up yet. 

Christmas Eve, Daddy was busy putting together your play kitchen for hours.  He only put one piece in wrong but you didn’t notice.  You loved it!  We went to Uncle Tony’s and Auntie Janet’s house for Christmas dinner.  We celebrated Daddy’s and Julius’ birthday at the same time.  Yeh Yeh made you a frame with your name in Chinese on it. Julius and Jared gave Mommy some custom make M&m’s.  You looked adorable in your “Peace on Earth” shirt!  

Halloween was quickly approaching and it was time to decide what to dress you up in.

This?

Or this?

But it was decided to wear this…

and you liked it. Hot Dog!!! On Halloween, we took you out trick-or-treating out in the old neighborhood around Sherman Oaks. It was your first time and you didn’t really know what was going on at first. Why were there all these people walking around in costumes going up to doors, saying “trick-or-treat!” The cool thing was, while we were walking from one house to the next, we ran into Ketcup and Mustard! Here are some photos…

It looks like you liked it. Especially the candy!