New Year's in San Diego

We started off the New Year's at home, but left for San Diego right after breakfast. Mitsu & family came down for just one night, but Teru was in New York. My mom had to work (great way to start off the new year, huh?), but came home a little early for all of us to have dinner together.

Mitsu brought some sake...

Our new year dinner. My dad made some sushi, besides the usual new year food which is usually cooked veggies and some fish.

The kids were getting camera happy. Nice picture with grandma...

Kids in Japan get "otoshidama", money gifts in cute little envelopes, for new years instead of presents on x-mas. Usually from parents, grandparents, and relatives. A child gets about $500 average each new year's. Each child's name is written on the front. My dad made a mistake and wrote "Yumi" instead of "Emi." He's also been calling me Emi, and Emi, Yumi. Must be the old age kicking in...

Aaaaah, the sweet smell of money...

They all played cards. We have this thing where the winner puts their hand on the bottom, and 2nd place next on top, and so on, till the hands are stacked without touching each other. Then the winner sweeps his hand up on top and tries to smack the other hands while everyone else tries to move out of the way.

The next day we went to Mission Trails to go hiking.

Here's Sage with some sage...

Thursday was Wild Animal Park. The kids and my parents are members so we wanted to go before the membership expired. It's been about 5 years since the last time we were there. They've really made improvements to the place, but also added attractions that all had an extra charge. These parks are getting too greedy.

These merakaats are so cute. Too bad they aren't domesticated. They'd be really cute pets.

Feeding the ducks...

I'm a turtle! We realized after the pictures were taken that they were facing the wrong way. Meaning, their head was where the turtle butts are...

AFLAC! My dad having a staring contest with a duck...

The petting area. Pretty neat being able to actually touch a deer.
Madagascar hissing cockroach. We used to watch Fear Factor, and remember seeing those poor contestants eating these. Those things were pretty big. I can't imagine eating them, ewwwww.

Feeding the lorakeets. Doesn't Abby look stoked?

Went to see David's mom and her dog, Mimi-chan. She was playful that day, so the kids enjoyed her.

Lunch at Kanpai. Seems like I see David's mom more than he does.

Coffee at Starbucks. The kids love coffee but I usually don't let them drink it. But I was feeling nice and let them split one, with lots of milk, of course. Afterwards, I realized that I should of gotten them decaf. Abby was running around after that.

School starts again tomorrow. It was a nice winter break, for the kids and me too. Back to the grind. So far, we had about six inches of snow today, and it is still snowing. Possible school cancellation? (Wishful thinking.)