婆婆 is visiting for the weekend so we took her to our favorite hiking spot today. It was a perfect day for a hike. Although the kids were reluctant to go, they had fun while we were there.

The kids spent their last 2 days in LA during President’s week celebrating Kaiya’s birthday. On Friday afternoon we went over for dinner and celebrated with some dinner and cupcakes. Natalie and Tyler slept over and they went to Kaiya’s bowling party on Saturday. The kids had a great time playing together, especially the nerf wars!

The Super Bowl was in town this year so we took the kids to the San Francisco where they set up Super Bowl City, with sponsor booths, interactive games, an plenty of photo ops. It was the first time Tyler got to ride the BART, which he totally loved. The place was crowded, but we thought we had to give it a try and get the kids to experience some of it since who knows when it’ll come around to our part of town again. It was a fun, cold, and long day in the city.

Mandy and Chris even came by to hang out with us for a bit!
 

We celebrated Grandma’s and Melanie’s birthday yesterday evening at Grandma’s house. It’s always so much fun to play with Melanie. She warmed up to us quicker than normal this time, but still wanted her own space (vs. a crazy smothering auntie that kept squeezing her.)

There wasn’t enough space at the dinner table so we made the kids sit on the couch to eat. The didn’t seem to mind!
     
 

We accompanied Grandma and Grandpa to Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights for some Chinese New Year prayer and offerings. I’ve been here before as a child and it’s changed quite a bit over the years. The place seems very grand and well decorated and not anything like I remembered. The temple was very festively decorated for Chinese New Year and Year of the Monkey. Coming here was a first for Natalie and Tyler and it was good cultural experience for them.

It was very sunny and hot, over 90 degrees!

Grandma got everyone candles for prayer and make a wish.
  
  

Tyler wanted to give prayer with an incense with Grandma

Auntie Kitty made a donation and got all the kids some lucky coins with wish ribbons to toss onto the golden tree.
  

We took the kids to watch the Harlem Globetrotters. This was a first for all of us, and while David and I knew who they were, the kids had no idea and thought we were just going to watch a basketball game. Both ended up really liking the show, especially Tyler. He was really entertained with all their basketball tricks. Plus he scored a souvenir basketball and was able to get some autographs on it at the end.

While our seats were pretty good (I bought them months back from Groupon), if you are thinking of going and have never been before, I would recommend spending a little extra to get front row seats and center court if possible. This is sort of a one time show you go to as a family, so you might as well make the best experience out of it.

Waiting in line for autographs