Finnly and Technology...

Finnly is truly a boy of the technological era... And he prefers Apple products.  He's been able to operate Gechon's ipad and my iphone from about 1.5 years old... He's working on his computer skills... but prefers the touch screen to a key board.  He can recognize most cell phone rings and will shout "PHONE!!!" So, if you're around Finn, you probably won't miss a call :-)

Lake Tahoe 2011!

We decided to make a last minute trip up to Lake Tahoe with my parents.  The weather was perfect, sunny upon arrival and snowing on our last day... just enough cold for me :-) Erik and my brother skied on Saturday while Finn and I enjoyed the warm cabin and ventured out for a little sledding.  The last day we all played in the fresh snow with Finn.  He discovered that snow tastes good and gloves are actually a good thing to keep on our hands. Our little frog had so much fun in the snow!  Hours later, we had to bribe him to come in with a cookie :-) Dad was cold...

Finn getting the car ready...

San Jose Discovery Museum

Finn and I went to the discovery museum for the first time... well not my first time with a couple of his playmates.  I remember going to it as a kid and making corn husk dolls... you can still make them.  However, the space has been re-done many times over and is a great place to bring a curious toddler.

New Years Day 2011

My parents have had a New Years Day party for over 35 years...and before that, my grandmother.  My mom, aka "Baba" prepares all of the authentic japanese new years day food for the party. It's a tradition in the Japanese community to have new years day "open houses" where family gathers to socialize and eat food that will bring whatever fortune you're seeking in the coming year. Because my mother thinks of her 100+ friends as family, they're also invited...It's quit an event.   Lots of new years joy fills the house, tons of sashimi, prepared by Ricki the parties sushi chef for over 20 years and endless sake is shared in the spirit of the coming new year!

I found a hapi coat that we think my great aunt, Mama Weda made me.  I know my time is limited to have Finn wear semi girl looking outfits... 

Christmas Morning 2010

Finn woke up later then normal, and was only into doing what he wanted, which in the beginning, was not opening gifts. He had stayed up late playing with his cousins the night before and it was showing.  All he wanted was to eat an apple and chase McCovey around the house.  He could really care less about the huge pile of presents that cascaded around the Christmas tree...We SLOWLY, throughout the morning, opened all the gifts.  He was excited to get lots of Thomas the Train toys and by the end of the morning, he'd played so much he fell asleep sitting up... 

Christmas Eve 2010 at Bachan and Gechan's House

We were grounded this Christmas, so we stayed in Santa Cruz for the first time in many years.  We had Christmas eve at my parents house in Capitola with both sides of the family.  Finn had too much fun playing with Benjamin, who is such a sweet and wonderful big cousin!  They played with toys, Benjamin pushed him around in his new trike, and they mostly made each other laugh by being silly! 

Finn has become obsessed with my dad's ipad... he calls it "Mimi" and can be in a room full of total chaos and hardly blink... We're in the process bringing down his mimi time...

 Marisa and uncle Barry

 Finn quickly discovered the dessert table... and would somehow, without anyone seeing, sneak over to the table and steal a cookie... I think he eat 1/2 a dozen "goco's" as he calls them.

 Great Auntie aka Bachon holding Lily 

getting the perfect picture...

As you can see from the pics below... it takes a lot of attempts to get the "one" picture.  McCovey is a perfect model and a good sport, he loves the camera :-) Finnly, on the other hand, needs some work with looking at the camera... and focus in general...I guess that's all part of being one and a half :-) We had too much fun taking these, hope you enjoy and get your cards soon :-)