Cheeks to Cheeks

Continuation from Part 1 and Part 2.

The weather was getting warmer and it was close to lunch time. We rested a bit and had the girls drink from the juice boxes.

Waiting for our hay ride.

The hayride was in a truck and yes, we got to sit on bales of hay.

We rode under a trellis of variety gourds. I don’t mind having something like this at home.

Pumpkins can only be grown in a certain plot for 3 years. After the 3rd year, that plot of land needs to be rotated with a different crop. This is definitely no Farm Town or Farmville.

Sunflower Field. There were at least 2 types of sunflowers grown in that farm.

Then we came upon the most gorgeous field filled with Mums. The photos do not do its justice. If we could just get out of that hayride and snap photos at a lower level, it would be much better.

The hayride was bumpy and this is the only clear shot we have.

Cassie taking in the view.

Sun worshipers.

Another ride, Hayride to Butterfly Valley. I think everyone was conned into it. We expected to see butterflies fluttering in the fields but all we saw were fake plastic butterflies attached onto corn stalks. Oh, and there weren’t any hay bales in that ride. By far the most boring ride but we were educated about butterfly life cycle. This ride was the most bumpy ride in the farm. Here is Cass enjoying the bumps:

A view from the back.

Cass was laughing one minute and then there was silence. I looked down and saw this…

While Cass napped in the stroller, Daddy and Belle went on to the mini train ride.

Cass took a cat nap. We then snacked on White Chocolate & Macadamia nut cookies, which I’d baked the day before, and sugar loaded blue icy. We decided to snack first and get our lunch after we’re done with all the rides and attractions. Belle finally got to ride her pony. It was the most pathetic ride and the most expensive too! That ride cost us 5 bucks and they only walked the pony for 1 and a half round.

It was getting hot and we were tired. We zipped through Storybook Path and Bootsie the Bee corn mazes, and didn’t bother to take any photos. By the time we were done, it was 1pm. We’ve enjoyed going through this farm. If we were to go there again, it would just be for the Hayride, Carousel and the Pumpkins. But then again, we might go to a different pumpkin patch next year.

Continuation from this.

After a lot of pumpkin touching and ooh’ing and aah’ing over them, Miss Belle got fidgety. She wanted her pony ride badly.

When you see a whachamacallit face cut-out stand, you just have to take a photo with it.

Introducing Do Re Mi, the pumpkin contest winners:

On our way to our first ride, the Cow Train. In case you’re wondering, why Daddy wasn’t in any of the photos, well, he wasn’t in the mood to be in ‘em.

So, what is a Cow Train? No, we don’t get to sit on real cows.

The main attraction in the farm: The Pumpkin Pyramid. It is said to take over 4000 pumpkins to cover that pyramid.

Check out Belle!

Towards the end of the ride, the driver revved up and both kids loved it. See how happy they are.

This is Belle’s first time riding the Carousel without an adult holding on to her. The Carousel ride was not included in the day pass. We figured Cassie will not oppose to opting out on this ride, so we didn’t get an extra ticket. We did get a chance to take a pic with Belle before the Carousel started.

During the ride…

Dora Sunflower Photo Trail is just a short hay covered trail with some pit-stops where you can take photos with the beloved Dora and friends characters.

Belle loves Dora. Cassie knows who Dora and Boots are from the toilet seats we have at home.

Here’s me teaching Belle how it should be done…

Belle giving it a try. Not bad at all!

Just us being silly…

More photos to come in Part 3. It should be the final portion. Stay tuned!

Last Saturday we went to Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park. The weather was perfect and the crowd was decent. We woke up early and left our house around 10am and arrived at Morgan Hill a little under 30 mins. If it weren’t for our “faulty” GPS (it had an old map), we could’ve arrived a little earlier. We bought the day passes which consist of all the rides except for three: Caroussel, Pony Ride and some other ride which I’ve forgotten. We had to pay extra for the first 2 rides mentioned. These are the photos taken on that day…

HUGE Pumpkins!

My little poser.

The tough cookie who hardly smiles and this is a rare sight.

Have you ever seen a Blue Pumpkin? No? Well, here they are…

A mini train that circles around the farm.

Miss Cass decided to wave back.

Pumpkin poachers.

This is just partial of the farm. This farm grows not only pumpkins but corns, sunflowers and mums too.

Daddy asked Belle to pick one up.

In case you don’t know what mums are…

Cass amongst the mums and pumpkins.

Jon: Okay, one more shot! (that is after many, many shots, and in the same spot)
Vien: Haiyoh! Hurry up! I can’t feel my legs!

The end result (last shot) below. I have a constipated smile plastered on my face. Belle was as sassy as usual and Cassie couldn’t care less.

Little missy is awake from her beauty nap and demands for attention. More photos to come in Part 2.

Click here for Part 3.

We managed to find a spot at the side of the road that is close to Guadalupe Park. We parked and walked about 5 minutes. Once we got there, we were amazed to see pumpkins, in all shapes and sizes, strewn all over the lawn. People, big and small, were busy choosing their pumpkins and taking photos. The pumpkin patches were particular favorites for everyone.

Our Belle decided this to be her favorite…

Cassie was content sitting among the pumpkins…

It was a nice but windy day. The skies were blue, the air was crisp and we actually thought Autumn had hit the Bay Area.

The pumpkins were brought in by local growers. The public could choose and pick the pumpkins and pay for it at the stall. We didn’t check the price ‘cos we didn’t need any pumpkin. We were just there to enjoy the event. There were other stalls set up. These stalls were mainly non-profit organizations; a whole lot to do with the environment. Kids were giving freebies as they go to each stall.

Here’s one of me and the girls…

Contest was held for the best scarecrow. We took some of Belle and the scarecrows but it didn’t turn out well. Nowadays it is difficult to capture the girls in the public. They get distracted by the noise and commotion. Both Jon and I would look like mad parents yelling at them to look at the camera. Here is one photo that we managed to capture when both the girls looked at the camera:

Daddy and the girls, with Cassie looking away…

Mommy and the girls, with Cassie looking elsewhere again…

There were two blown up structures for the kids to play. The organizers were smart to designate one structure for kids under the age of 4. That way the older kids would not trample onto the younger ones. We paid a buck for 5 minutes and Belle had a swell time in the structure bouncing away.

We stayed in the park for about 2 hours and managed to check out the Children’s Discovery Museum (located next to the park). After that we went to Tung Kee Noodle House, near San Jose State Uni, for a late lunch. Belle was energized by all the bouncing she had and could not sit still during lunch. We had to quickly feed the girls and finish our noodles. On the way home I gave Belle some snacks (that we got for free from the event). She was happily chomping on the snack, singing and talking, and then the car grew silent. I turn around and saw this…

She was all pooped out. Cassie had her nap before lunch, so she was quite awake…

Would we do it again next year? We might but I have to make sure I have my Claritin taken. After coming back from Pumpkin in the Park, I had a long allergy attack from the pollens and hay. It took me 3-4 days to overcome the sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. If it weren’t for breastfeeding, I would’ve taken Claritin right away. So, yea, poor me.

Pumpkin in the Park: Part 1

I’ve mentioned previously about our day trip to San Jose for the Pumpkin in the Park event. Belle had her gymnastic class that Saturday morning. When we got back, Jon and I hurriedly fed the kids and dressed ‘em up. It was chilly in the morning, so I dressed the girls appropriately.

Missy decided to pose for us as she was wearing her new skirt and jacket…

Nowadays, the numero tres is her favorite number. She has been telling us her birthday is in 2 weeks. Okay, I’m digressing here, back to the original story. Here is another photo that made me gasp ‘cos she reminds me of ME!

I think she looks a lot like me here, except for the chin. She has her daddy’s chin. We have captured a lot of photos that day but we particularly love two of them ‘cos it made us laugh. Here’s one…

Here’s the second photo..hehe…

It is so much fun to laugh at our children’s expense. Well, we very well can’t leave Cassie out from this post. Here’s chubby Cass giving us her “I’m not sure if I want to cry or smile” smile:

Look at her round tummy. I can’t resist to tickle her chubby tummy and blow raspberry on it. One thing I found it about this girl is she is extremely ticklish.

Okay, this is the end of Part 1. Stay tune for Part 2.

Edit: Pumpkin in the Park: Part 2

We haven’t finalized the party venue for Belle’s birthday. I was thinking of the Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) but their party room can only fit 24 people (max). Just my luck, there is an event, Pumpkin in the Park, at Guadalupe Park and it is next to CDM. We will check out the park and CDM. Hopefully I get to speak to a representative from CDM.

Pumpkin in the Park starts at 10am. Belle has her gymnastic class at 9am. We will probably go right after gymnastic class. Oh boy, it is gonna be a busy Saturday for us. I hope Cassie will give a good night sleep on Friday; otherwise I will need energy pills to keep me going.

Last Tuesday we met up with the Huis for ice-cream. Baskin Robbins have $1 a scoop every Tuesday evening from 6pm till 10 pm. The girls have met a few times and they hit off instantly. We’re trying to have parent dates (yup, this is what I call them) with other parents and kids as much as possible. Parent date is essential for parents like us who work all day (M-F) and have no time to catch up with friends because we’re bogged down with chores, feeding and taking care of our kids.

Sometimes it is great to catch up with girlfriends but I think Parent dating is fun ‘cos everyone in the family gets to have fun. Here are some pictures of the girls…

I have been living in the United States for over 10 years and there are so many things I would like to do and many things I would like to experience. One of them is attending the National Finals Rodeo. If anyone ask me what they should do to experience the real American experience, I would strongly recommend them to watch a live rodeo event. This is where one can truly meet real cowboys and cowgirls, and where else can you meet them but through the Super Bowl of Rodeo, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Las Vegas.

Frankly speaking, I have always thought this event is held at the southern or midwest states but after a few online researches I found out each city actually bids to be the host of this event. This year it is going to be at Las Vegas and it seems like Las Vegas has outbidded other cities many times. Just my luck, this event will be hosted in December. That means I have a full 10 month to prepare for a trip down to Las Vegas. Now all I need to do is get some National Final Rodeo tickets for both of us.

I can’t wait to see the bareback riding, tie-down roping and especially the bullriding. I have always watched these events in television and I bet it will be more exciting to view them live.

My friend Charlene came to visit us few years back. She was on a business trip and decided to stay back a few more days just so she could visit all the tourist spots in San Francisco. She did a smart thing before arriving San Francisco; she bought a CityPass.

CityPass gets you into places at a discounted price. I am thrill to know they are offering a New York CityPass at $65 for adults! If I were to purchase tickets separately to all the places I want to visit, it will cost me $130! Now, this is a steal! The New York CityPass comes with tickets to six of the city’s main attractions: Metropolitan Museum of Art and the new Greek and Roman galleries, Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Empire State Building Observatory and a tour of the city skyline by the City Line Sightseeing Cruise.

I am a history buff and I LOVE museums. I can spend days in a museum. When you are in the Big Apple, you have to, got to, visit all the museums in that city. This CityPass offer runs from December 15 to March 15. It is a pity my baby is due between that period. That means no flying to NYC for me. Bummer! But I will definitely look out for another CityPass deal via their website when I’m planning for my future vacation.

If you are planning to go to New York or even celebrate New Year’s Eve there, remember to purchase a CityPass booklet. You will not regret it!

California, Great Sand & Awesome Water: What do they have in common?

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