My dad left for home (the Philippines) on the 15th. This marked the end of his 3-month stay with us. I'm happy to say that his health is much better than when he first arrived - but he and I both know he's not 100% yet. He contacted me a couple days later to let me know that he arrived home safely and was getting back into his "routine" (including going to see a movie, and getting his house back in order). Mia was especially sad when she realized her grandpa was leaving. I'm grateful that he was able to spend as much time with Mia and Jacob as he did. 
He commented to me how much the kids (including grand kids, Kyle and Timmy in the Bay Area) have grown. Yep, they're definitely getting bigger by the second. Dad's stay here was a blessing indeed - especially since my brothers were able to come visit him here and even stay for a few days. Actually (true story), my younger brother Larry had contacted me earlier in the month to let me know that he was coming to visit for a weekend... just a couple days, right? Well, day 2 turned into 3 and finally into day 6!!! Yeah, it seems he found our couch much too comfortable to part with. =T *hahaha* 
KING OF THE COUCH - DAY 6
Flash forward to the 22nd - THANKSGIVING!! We really have so much to be thankful for - healthy kids, a close-knit family, and friends who have made our move to southern California such a joy. With blessings abound, we enjoyed a hearty meal of turkey and all the trimmings!!! We were joined by HieRan's youngest sister, LAUSD educator, and babysitter extraordinaire - Yung! The five of us pigged out as I watched my Detroit Lions get trounced once again! =( *sighs - some Thanksgiving traditions are due for a change!*
Well, we could only relax for a little bit because we had planned to meet with my older brother and his family down in Anaheim for a weekend at Disneyland!!!! After careful planning, we took off at 7am Friday morning to check into our hotel and make it to the park as early as possible. Both Jacob and Mia were great the entire weekend! Mia loved that her cousins Kyle and Timmy were with her (talk about our Princess) at the park. We stayed and watched Fantasmic (9:30pm) before calling it a FULL day. Mia was soooo tired that right after her bath, as soon as her head hit the pillow - she was out!!! Jacob was another story... naturally. He took a few naps throughout the day and decided to keep us up a little later than HieRan and I wanted. *thanks kiddo!*
On Saturday we got up around 10am and headed out to California Adventures!! As soon as we we arrived, we caught the Highschool Musical Pep-rally Parade!! It was one of Mia's favorite movies, and she was sitting there in the front singing her little heart out! Next we took in the Aladin show which was a lot funnier than I expected (the Genie had a lot of one-liners that included many current pop-culture references). Unfortunately (for me), Jacob wasn't feeling the whole "dark theatre plus big sound" experience, so much of the time I was holding him in the back of the theatre. =T It turns out he was being bothered by a rather full diaper... nothing a quick change couldn't take care of, right buddy?
We caught up with my brother and his family after lunch with the princesses (at Ariel's Grotto). I have to admit, I was really impressed with the Cali Adventures theme park - especially the wharf area. It reminded HieRan and me of the Bay Area (our old stomping ground). We enjoyed clam chowder bread bowls (it was getting rather chilly after 4pm), churros, and hot cocoa as we walked around the park. It was still early when we decided to leave, so we headed back to Disneyland (via our two day hoppers) to ride It's A Small World one last time for Mia. =)
On Sunday we checked out and met the family for lunch at the ESPN Zone!! *yeah!* Since there were 11 of us, they gave us one of the large booths in the back (with two monitors to watch whatever sporting events we wanted). After lunch we headed up to play some games (and get a much needed work out). We finally left the happiest place on earth (the ESPN Zone, that is) and headed home.... just ONE hour's drive!!! *whoo-hooo!* I have to admit, I like that we don't have a 6-8 hour drive ahead of us to get home (sorry bro - hope you got home safely).
So now we're home, and even though the past couple of weeks just blazed by, I have a feeling the rest of 2006 is going to be a blurrr...
... details are forthcoming. Stay tuned!!! ;)
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