Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
chilling out...
Mikenna is so good to just hang out and stay out of trouble...here she is at Luke's carpet...
Below are a few photos of things I've chosen for our home so far...hopefully I won't change my mind...I love the sparkly backsplash I've chosen for the girls' bath...I thought the "rocky" backsplash I chose for the master was cool...I think the marble counter and the subtle design on the floor tile will be a nice touch...I forgot to get a photo of the kitchen floor...some type of travertine maybe...in a random pattern like the versaille pattern...
Monday, February 15, 2010
Happy Chinese New Year!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!!
So, these were the girls' cards this year...I didn't take a pic of the final product, but I took a small hole punch, punched above and below their fists and stuck a sucker in...Found the idea off of someone else's blog...I love copying GREAT ideas :)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Happy Birthday Mike!!
Despite it being a school night, I decided to have a family dinner to celebrate Mike's birthday. It has been forever since we'd all gotten together, so it was time to revisit the chaos of Chan Cousins!! Seriously, when these kids get together it is PARTY!! (We already celebrated with the Gale side on Sunday...)
Did you notice that Mike's cake was served without the candles being lit? He was in a hurry to get to Scouts and so we didn't take the time to find the lighter...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Pacific Science Center (Some Ju & Me...)
Dorothy had some guest passes left to the Pacific Science Center. Had fun with my parents, Pauline and Winnie (and their families). Best moment: Hanging out in the Butterfly area...and then realizing that we forgot to tell my parents we were in there.
Like I said before, my kids had a blast with their Chang cousins. The butterfly area and the underwater creatures were favorites. They also had fun making their shadow impressions...we adults had fun trying to see who could hang the longest on the chin hang, and who was the most flexible on the sit & reach...some of the adults with babies sat around a bit...in fact a few times I caught my dad napping...little Olivia even had a nice nap inside the stroller...you can see her little feet sticking out...
Like I said before, my kids had a blast with their Chang cousins. The butterfly area and the underwater creatures were favorites. They also had fun making their shadow impressions...we adults had fun trying to see who could hang the longest on the chin hang, and who was the most flexible on the sit & reach...some of the adults with babies sat around a bit...in fact a few times I caught my dad napping...little Olivia even had a nice nap inside the stroller...you can see her little feet sticking out...
Afterparties (Julia w/ a few of my own comments...)
:P Had a wonderful lunch provided to us by the sisters of the Relief Society. (More than 15 people got sick later that evening, and over the next couple days...we first thought it might be the food... but then realized it must have been a bug).
Later that evening, we relaxed at Aunt Audrey's home...playing mahjong...eating food...playing the wii...
It was super fun to see all of my cousins...my girls especially had fun with their Chang cousins. Kassi took to "mothering" Evie. It was so sweet how she would just take care of her and play and make sure she was ok. The boys were so energetic...in such petitish bodies...well, Daniel wasn't so much..but they're so cute!
My girls also loved hanging out with my other cousins as well...especially the ones who came from WI!! But not more than the ones who came up from UT :)
Later that evening, we relaxed at Aunt Audrey's home...playing mahjong...eating food...playing the wii...
It was super fun to see all of my cousins...my girls especially had fun with their Chang cousins. Kassi took to "mothering" Evie. It was so sweet how she would just take care of her and play and make sure she was ok. The boys were so energetic...in such petitish bodies...well, Daniel wasn't so much..but they're so cute!
My girls also loved hanging out with my other cousins as well...especially the ones who came from WI!! But not more than the ones who came up from UT :)
Grandma's Funera (Julia)
The next day, we got to the church at 9:30am. I was happy that Olivia slept through the night (having been kept up WAY past her Houston Bedtime). We had a wonderful service for Grandma.
Afterwards, we drove in a long line down to the burial site.
Cool moment of the day: Bagpipes playing hymns..."God Be With You Till We Meet Again" as the pall bearers placed the coffin...
Funniest moment of the day: At the very end of the graveside service. some doves were to be released. The majority of them left the cage. A couple needed a little more persuading to take flight. The very last dove out of the cage decided that she didn't really want to fly that much, and headed straight for a tall tree. All the other doves circled and circled, then started home. The last dove just sat there in the tree. Someone says something like, "That's like Grandma telling us that she's okay now."
All of a sudden, a dark winged bird flies into view. Huh? What is it doing? It flies into the trees, and attacks the dove. Both tumble a bit, and the dove falls into the brush below. Everyone (including children) gasp, scream, laugh, etc. The Dove Lady went to find the bird...took 30 minutes to get it out. It was okay. :)
Comments afterwards: "The black hawk was 'death'." "Guess Grandma Chan didn't make it."
James: "Did you see that? BAH-AMM"
Afterwards, we drove in a long line down to the burial site.
Cool moment of the day: Bagpipes playing hymns..."God Be With You Till We Meet Again" as the pall bearers placed the coffin...
Funniest moment of the day: At the very end of the graveside service. some doves were to be released. The majority of them left the cage. A couple needed a little more persuading to take flight. The very last dove out of the cage decided that she didn't really want to fly that much, and headed straight for a tall tree. All the other doves circled and circled, then started home. The last dove just sat there in the tree. Someone says something like, "That's like Grandma telling us that she's okay now."
All of a sudden, a dark winged bird flies into view. Huh? What is it doing? It flies into the trees, and attacks the dove. Both tumble a bit, and the dove falls into the brush below. Everyone (including children) gasp, scream, laugh, etc. The Dove Lady went to find the bird...took 30 minutes to get it out. It was okay. :)
Comments afterwards: "The black hawk was 'death'." "Guess Grandma Chan didn't make it."
James: "Did you see that? BAH-AMM"
Warning...You are about to enter into a few plageristic posts...
...but I will be happy to give credit to my sisters Julia & Allison for documenting the weekend....
Amah's Funeral (Allison's Blog)
(Allison is so eloquent, that I just had to snatch her post....)
Great Amah's funeral was a beautiful tribute to her. The night before the funeral we gathered as a family at the funeral home for a quick dinner and then a family testimony meeting of sorts. Anyone who wanted to could share thoughts and feelings about Grandma.
The following day at the funeral service, each of her children had memories to share and then Aaron's cousins, Brian and Winnie, shared thoughts from each of the grandchildren. The plan of Salvation was presented by a good family friend and there were beautiful musical numbers.
At the cemetary we were greeted by bagpipes playing hymns, which was cool.
I LOVE this picture of Olivia and Tim! :)
My favorite moment is always when the pall bearers walk in with the casket. It's such a reverent and respectful moment. 
After Aaron's dad dedicated the grave, the doves were released! They flew off and eventually all fell in line together.
Unfortunately, a local hawk knew the drill and was waiting in a nearby tree and tried to snag one of the doves! It was pretty dramatic to see the struggle. It happened in that big evergreen tree behind Aaron and I in this picture.
We were all quite concerned for the bird and after the funeral was over we waited at the edge of the wooded area for the "bird lady" (with help from Gary and Quentin) to rescue her! We were relieved that she only suffered a minor scrape!
We all chose flowers from the beautiful arrangements to throw in the grave. All three boys always like this part! Tanner and his lovely bouquet!
I love Grandma and Grandpa's headstone....with the temple and Chinese characters. And now they are finally together again, which makes us all so happy! How grateful we feel to have that knowledge to know that when we meet again we can further our family bonds.
One Good Woman
This past weekend we attended Grandma Chan ("Great Amah")'s funeral in Seattle. It was interesting to me to be there and honor this woman who did SO much in her life and yet I had not even had one conversation with her. In spite of that, I do honor her. I told Aaron on the drive home that I don't think I have ever known anyone who suffered more in their lifetime than Amah.
She was raised in China and married a good man through an arranged marriage. She left her home and family to join his at a young age and was in charge of the kitchen in her new home. She made and fed many people each day, always the last to eat. She said that she prayed to the "kitchen god" to help her accomplish this great task! (I would have, too!)
When the Communists took over China they punished all wealthy land owners. Since her father-in-law and husband were away working, and her mother-in-law was too old to go to jail, the Communists took her to jail. This was not just a small room where she sat, but rather an extensive period of torture and suffering. She was hung by her thumbs, urinated on and forced to crawl across glass. I know that we only know a small portion of what her suffering there entailed. Once released, she was mocked and scorned for being "rich" by people who used to be her friends. (Reminds me of Job)
She eventually had children. My father-in-law, David, was described as the "naughty child"! She said that he was a challenge to raise and that she hoped he would find religion to help subdue him! :) Well, he DID find religion in the LDS church, but Amah and Ayeh feared the worst with this church since the word "Mormon" in Chinese sounds so similar to the word "devil". They sent their oldest son to save his brother from this evil church, but Uncle Austen did his homework first and instead joined the church as well!
I know Grandma's heart was pure gold. Her sons tried to share the gospel message with their parents, but as Buddhists, they could not take the risk of offending their Elders. Grandma had a dream one night where Peter, James and John appeared to her and assured her that her ancestors would not be disappointed when they joined the church. They did join the church and once in America attended English speaking wards their entire lives! Can you imagine going to church every week and not understanding even one word? What faith! They were sealed in the temple with their children and had one missionary daughter and MANY missionary grandchildren!
Some memories that were shared by her grandchildren included how often Grandma and Grandpa got lost driving around Seattle and California on their own and how much they both LOVED fish burgers from BK or McDonalds! They always wanted to go out for fish burgers! There were several of Aaron's cousins who remembered Grandma's smile....always had a smile. I, too, can remember that warm and loving smile. It seemed to tell me, "Even though I can't tell you, I love you and accept you in our family."
Her sweet laugh and gentle touch conveyed more than words ever could about this woman's strength and testimony. I am ever thankful to have known such a worthy daughter of God. How proud He must be of her for enduring her earthly station with such dignity.
Great Amah's funeral was a beautiful tribute to her. The night before the funeral we gathered as a family at the funeral home for a quick dinner and then a family testimony meeting of sorts. Anyone who wanted to could share thoughts and feelings about Grandma.
The following day at the funeral service, each of her children had memories to share and then Aaron's cousins, Brian and Winnie, shared thoughts from each of the grandchildren. The plan of Salvation was presented by a good family friend and there were beautiful musical numbers.
At the cemetary we were greeted by bagpipes playing hymns, which was cool.
I LOVE this picture of Olivia and Tim! :)
My favorite moment is always when the pall bearers walk in with the casket. It's such a reverent and respectful moment. 
After Aaron's dad dedicated the grave, the doves were released! They flew off and eventually all fell in line together.
Unfortunately, a local hawk knew the drill and was waiting in a nearby tree and tried to snag one of the doves! It was pretty dramatic to see the struggle. It happened in that big evergreen tree behind Aaron and I in this picture.
We were all quite concerned for the bird and after the funeral was over we waited at the edge of the wooded area for the "bird lady" (with help from Gary and Quentin) to rescue her! We were relieved that she only suffered a minor scrape!
We all chose flowers from the beautiful arrangements to throw in the grave. All three boys always like this part! Tanner and his lovely bouquet!
I love Grandma and Grandpa's headstone....with the temple and Chinese characters. And now they are finally together again, which makes us all so happy! How grateful we feel to have that knowledge to know that when we meet again we can further our family bonds.
One Good Woman
This past weekend we attended Grandma Chan ("Great Amah")'s funeral in Seattle. It was interesting to me to be there and honor this woman who did SO much in her life and yet I had not even had one conversation with her. In spite of that, I do honor her. I told Aaron on the drive home that I don't think I have ever known anyone who suffered more in their lifetime than Amah.She was raised in China and married a good man through an arranged marriage. She left her home and family to join his at a young age and was in charge of the kitchen in her new home. She made and fed many people each day, always the last to eat. She said that she prayed to the "kitchen god" to help her accomplish this great task! (I would have, too!)
When the Communists took over China they punished all wealthy land owners. Since her father-in-law and husband were away working, and her mother-in-law was too old to go to jail, the Communists took her to jail. This was not just a small room where she sat, but rather an extensive period of torture and suffering. She was hung by her thumbs, urinated on and forced to crawl across glass. I know that we only know a small portion of what her suffering there entailed. Once released, she was mocked and scorned for being "rich" by people who used to be her friends. (Reminds me of Job)
She eventually had children. My father-in-law, David, was described as the "naughty child"! She said that he was a challenge to raise and that she hoped he would find religion to help subdue him! :) Well, he DID find religion in the LDS church, but Amah and Ayeh feared the worst with this church since the word "Mormon" in Chinese sounds so similar to the word "devil". They sent their oldest son to save his brother from this evil church, but Uncle Austen did his homework first and instead joined the church as well!
I know Grandma's heart was pure gold. Her sons tried to share the gospel message with their parents, but as Buddhists, they could not take the risk of offending their Elders. Grandma had a dream one night where Peter, James and John appeared to her and assured her that her ancestors would not be disappointed when they joined the church. They did join the church and once in America attended English speaking wards their entire lives! Can you imagine going to church every week and not understanding even one word? What faith! They were sealed in the temple with their children and had one missionary daughter and MANY missionary grandchildren!
Some memories that were shared by her grandchildren included how often Grandma and Grandpa got lost driving around Seattle and California on their own and how much they both LOVED fish burgers from BK or McDonalds! They always wanted to go out for fish burgers! There were several of Aaron's cousins who remembered Grandma's smile....always had a smile. I, too, can remember that warm and loving smile. It seemed to tell me, "Even though I can't tell you, I love you and accept you in our family."
Her sweet laugh and gentle touch conveyed more than words ever could about this woman's strength and testimony. I am ever thankful to have known such a worthy daughter of God. How proud He must be of her for enduring her earthly station with such dignity.
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