Chinese New Year....Year of the Ox

First of all....wow, what a nice entry from my beautiful wife. I'm not even going to try to match it.......but I will say, we are truly very lucky to have eachother. I'm thankful every day for what we have......

2009 is the year of the ox.....Scott is the year of the ox so we have gone full circle with him. Tonight we celebrated Chinese New Year with some outstansding Chinese food with Ah-Ma, Yeh-Yeh, Ai Yi, Uncle Greg, Jason and Jared. Chinese people ordering Chinese food is different that Japanese people ordering Chinese food......Japanese people order chow mein, sweet and sour pork, fried rice and lemon chicken......Chinese people order stuff that I can't even pronounce...but it's very good. One of our Japanese friends, who shall go un-named, here in Sacramento commented to Renee that Bel Air Grocery store has the best Chinese food....Renee almost fell out of her chair. But I have to admit that I love Panda Express......

So Gung Hay Fat Choi to all my Chinese peeps.....

Jared, Cori and Scott chowin' down....

Justin and Ah-Mah

Justin Chowin'.........

Jason laying a kiss on the chicken head...........

Jason's chicken head....with feathers still attached......

How lucky I am...

So I have to admit, I (Renee) started this blog...but it hasn't been me that journals our day to day activities...it's been my GREAT hubby, Glen. I know...this is going to sound like I'm bragging, but honestly...I am! I have THE best husband in the world. He is my partner for life and makes our family strong. I'm not just talkin' nice-nice here. He shares the cooking duties, washes the dishes, cleans the bathrooms...gets the kids ready and that's only mentioning a few things. I married him not only for his good looks ;-) but because I knew in my heart that Glen would always put me first. He takes care of me no matter how I looked or what I do, he's always there to support me. He works just like everyone else, but rarely complains about his share of duties whether it be with the kids (cuz we all know how hectic that can get) or at home, he's the perfect husband. Yes, I might complain about him every now and then with my girlfriends...but at the end of each day, I miss him as if it's been a week since I've seen him. I miss him when he travels, not so much because I have to be a single parent but because I feel so lost without him.

So I'm here today writing my thoughts because Valentines is right around the corner and it gives me more reason to tell him how much I love, love him...but to tell the world how lucky I am to have such a great person to be with me for the rest of my life. You are truly my soul mate Glen and that feeling of excitement still holds on when I see you each day or when you wink at me...or hug me and tell me how much you love me. I have found my place in this world with you and will enjoy every moment that we have with each other. Have a great day tomorrow and know that you are my Valentines :-)


This is Glen driving home from Legoland. He never wants me to drive rather have me rest. Even with 7 plus hours of traffic (with some complaints, but not too bad)...he gets our family home safe.

Buddies

While in San Jose for work yesterday, I got the chance to hook up for lunch with some old buddies from high school. Sitting next to me is Alan Jung, Alan was a senior when I was a freshman but he took the time to drive me around and he never asked for gas money! He is by far one of the most generous guys I know....in high school and today (he paid for lunch...again!)....the guy right across from me is Raymond Mendoza. Raymond is one of the funniest guys I know. His little brother, Roland is my age and that's how I met Raymond. When I was a freshman, I jumped in his car with Roland for a lunch time cruise. Raymond turned around and asked, "who the hell are you?" I said, "I'm Glen" He said, "okay"....the rest is history. Raymond would also drive me everywhere....but he asked for gas money.....Next to Raymond is Tony Yamashita, Tony's family owned a flower stand off of Berryessa Road for the longest time. During the summer, we would sit in the flower stand frig and cool off next to the roses and mums. Tony always had the coolest cars, one of which was kicked by my now sister-in-law during a lovers argument in high school. Tony is one of the nicest guys I know, always smiling...except when some chick kicks his car....with pointy shoes......

All three of these guys have become successful in their chosen careers.

Alan started his own company with his brother Robert and now they are a state of the art flex PCB card manufacturer for the biggest cell phone companies in the world.
http://www.altaflex.com/

Raymond started his own company about a million years ago..repairing audio equipment...now he is the nations 2nd largest repair shop.
http://www.shortcircuitrepair.com/

Tony works for one of the nations largest defense contractors, Rockwell Collins. Rockwell produces the displays for aircraft such as the space shuttle, F-22, F-18 and most commercial aircraft.
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/

Minatos February 22, 2009

A snowy weekend with the Kitazumi's...........

What would winter be like without a trip to the snow with the Kitazumi's?? When Brad and Leslie invited us up for a weekend of fun in the snow, we couldn't say no. We got to stay at the Santo Family cabin in Truckee, we were worried that there may not be enough snow on the ground for the kids to play in but we were pleasantly surprised to find a ton of snow on the ground.....and also on the driveway, which caused some concern when we finally arrived at 9:00PM on Friday night. But a few phone calls in the morning and that problem was solved! We ate....played in the snow.....ate.......took naps.....ate......played poker......ate.....slept some more.....it was truly a vacation. The Kumamoto's had to leave early on Sunday morning to make it back for Scott's basketball game......which they lost.......but the trip has been the highlight of our winter!!

Leslie and Brad.......I like Brad's Hawaiian shirt for a trip to the snow....

My snow bunny......

Saturday morning.....clearing about 4 feet of snow on the driveway, now we can park the cars!


Scott and Mitchell trying to be cool.....

Renee doing some manual labor....mark the time......10:38AM.....1/17/09

Renee and Leslie.....Renee is tired from carving out a ramp for the kids to sled down!

The Family....

Justin's snow angel......

Making snow balls......to throw at Scott and Mitchell.....

Marissa and her friend Nicole........

Cori making a snow man....or snow pile........

Justin making another snow ball to terrorize Scott and Mitchell with......

Cori making snow balls to throw at the boys.....

Justin and Nicole with their completed snow man.........

Scott and Mitchell getting some hits in on the girls.......

The girls....and Justin.....getting hit with snow balls.....

After a full day of playing in the snow, time to relax..........

Marissa and Justin

Nicole and Marissa.....both girls spent an amazing amount of time texting and talking on the phone....with who, I have no idea but I have a good guess......

The Gang......

One down....one to go......

Saturday night dinner at Dairy Queen! My favorite place to eat.......

Thank you to the Kitzumi's for a great weekend, it was a great time with friends and we look forward to the next trip. I, personally, had a great time despite being spanked by a 13 year old girl in poker......my poker ego is still recovering.

One last picture.......

Justin asked Uncle Brad, "can I see your iPod?"....Uncle Brad says, "sure"....Justin says, "thank you and walks away.....". After a few minutes, we hear Justin sneeze this huge sneeze and he runs back to give Uncle Brad his iPod........

From Sin City to......Salt Lake City....

One day I'm in Vegas with glamour and glitz.....today I'm in Salt Lake City.....what a change. I am staying at a hotel that is over a 100 years old. I told the lady at the check in counter....these are the kind of hotels that are haunted. She gave me a, "how did he know look?". I'm in the smallest hotel room I've ever been in....it just fits a queen bed, two night stands and a TV. It's considered a "European Old World Charm Boutique Hotel", I think that's marketing talk for small ass rooms. BUT, the good thing is, the bottled water is free (Vegas = $3.00), internet access is free (Vegas = $14.99 / 24 hours) and the business center is available for free (Vegas = $1.00 a minute) so if I need to print something, I can do it at no cost. Plus, there are NO lines. Since all I like to do is sit in my room and watch TV, I'm in pretty good shape if my room is big or small.....doesn't really make a difference. I've decided to go home early so I'll be leaving wonderful Salt Lake City tomorrow night for a late flight home. Nothing like sleeping in my own bed next to my beautiful wife and my snoring, fat dog.

What Happens in Vegas....Stays in Vegas....

This saying has absolutely nothing to do with me......I think I must be the most boring guy in the world. Here I am in Vegas....again.....for business and I'm sitting in my hotel room at 9:25 PM writing in my blog. What's wrong with this picture? I should be downstairs, gambling, drinking my one beer....checking out the scene! To tell you the truth, the only thing I want to do is lay in bed and watch TV. With the busy life we have at home, it's nice to just sit and do nothing. The bad part is, when I travel, Renee has to hold down the fort. So it's twice as busy for her! I feel bad for her but I'll watch enough TV for the both of us during my travels. At least I'm still in the US...I used to have to travel to Europe and that would be a looong trip. But I would do the same thing....sit in my hotel and watch TV. The best show I watched was a Chinese kung fu movie dubbed in German. Also, nudity is all over the place on public TV in Europe so that kept my interest going. So as I sign off from my hotel room at the beautiful MGM Grand Hotel, I can tell you that the lobby is nice, the hallways are cool and the rooms have a nice TV...other than that, I haven't seen a thing.......hang in there babe....just a few days more!!

Hockey...the coolest game in Earth.....

Now that we are officially half way through the hockey season, I have to say that I really miss watching Scott play hockey. I don't miss getting to the ice rink at 7:00AM on a Saturday morning but I do miss watching him play. Now that we live in Sac, there is not a lot of hockey close by. But from time to time, I do run into some Sharks fans. Matter of fact, my neighbor a couple of doors down is a Red Wings fan...I swear, not matter where I move to, I can't get away from the Wings....

For the Sac-town people that have a hard time understanding why I love the game so much, check out the following clips. Remember....hard checks and fighting are an important part of the game.....hockey players may seem savage but they are truly the best professional athletes out there....they never take credit for themselves, they always put the team first and no player, no matter how good, is not bigger than the game. If they did.....they would get smashed each time they got on the ice.




This is not your ordinary hockey fight....which is why it's so cool, these two teams simply do not like eachother and it shows....each team has an "enforcer" who's sole purpose is to go out and duke it out with the other teams enforcer. This is done to change the momentum of the game, kick start a team or just get the fans into it. Once the fight is over, the players will tap their sticks on the ice or wall to indicate a "good job" signal.



Even though I can't stand the Dallas Stars, I have to give props where props are due......

MC Hammer-San

I enjoy checking out old videos on YouTube and I stumbled upon this one last night. I have to say, this dude is cool. This is exactly why Communist leaders want to limit the amount of Western Culture in China....they could have a million people dancing to early 90's music and wearing dorky clothes....I like the fact that his grandma is sitting right behind him during the entire video and doesn't even bother looking up.

Good Bye 2008....Hello 2009!!

We ended 2008 with a bang......we met a group of friends for some great Chinese food and than walked over to church for the traditional New Years Eve service. We all rang the bell for good luck in the coming year. After church, it was off to the Sakata's house for some p-a-r-t-y! The house was full and the kids and adults were having a blast! Thanks to Kim and Marty for opening up their house once again for our annual party. The Kumamoto's finally left around 2:00AM and all the kids were still up! The next morning it was up and off to San Jose for my families annual New Years Day party....food, food and more food. It was a wonderful way to say good bye to 2008 and say hello to 2009!!


Marty is an excellent cook and here is his famous lava cake as requested by my wife.....


Marty mixing up his drinks......

Some foosball action....

Justin's self portrait.....

Lil Scottie chillin'....

Lesly and Marty...

Moms.....

The clock strikes midnight........


Scottie and Mitch drinking it up already......

The "gang".....

Justin takin' a swig.....

More moms.....Janice, Lesly, Teri, Annette, Kim, Sharon and Renee

Lesly, Teri and Renee

Denis, Dave, Ross, Steve, Kim and Renee

Brooke and Brady dancin' it up......Brady danced for about 2 hours straight....that's no lie....

The Boys.....Davis, Mitchell and Scott

Davis and Jeremy....