US Trip 2013 - Bye Bye Oregon

On the eve of Christmas day, kids and I flew back to Penang. It has been a very enjoyable and fulfilling trip for all of us and kids definitely have had a great experience too. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014 to Everyone

US Tripe 2013 - Walking Trail on Forest Park

Hubby took us to one of the walking trails at Forest Park. It is less than 20 minutes drive from our apartment and overlooks the Willamette River. We found a nice trail which is friendly for kids, we also met many locals there doing their afternoon runs and dog walks. It was a very long trail, we only managed to cover about 2 miles. It was a very relaxing walk as the weather was cold and the kids had a good run too. 

After the long walk, we were all hungry and headed for the famous Japanese food at downtown. We reached there before 5.30pm but the queue was already very long. We quickly registered our name, went back to the car while hubby stood in front of the restaurant and waited for more than an hour before we were given our table. 
The long waiting time was worthwhile looking at those delicious sushi. I especially love the thick and big slices of salmon while Emily loves the unagi :)

US Trip 2013 - Cooking Fun

Some of the dishes that I have whipped up for our snacks / lunches / dinners. Had an enjoyable time trying out all the different recipes even though not all turned out good, thanks to Jui Yen for introducing me to all the great recipes.

Chicken Pot Pie

Cookies

Sandwich for hubby's lunch

Fusilli Pasta

Baked Chicken Fillet, Potato Wedges, Mashed Potatoes and Salad

Baked Cheese Rice

Tortilla wrap with Rottiserie Chicken

Rottisserie Chicken Puffs Using Pillsbury Pie Crust

Cheese cake

Shepherd's Pie

Chicken Curry

Baked Cheese Lobster

Chocolate Raspberry Macarpone Cake

BBQ Pork Ribs

Nachos

Fried Spaghetti with Nachos as Side Dish

Happy 10th Birthday, Emily

Today is Emily's 10th birthday. She has been looking forward to this day, few weeks ago, she created her own calender and did her countdown every morning. Kids are kids, I told her I wouldn't be looking forward to my birthday bcoz it will make me a year older :)  
Yesterday, she and I baked a chocolate with cream cheese cake and this morning she did the decorations on her cake with cherries, blueberries and raspberries.

Jared hung these on the apartment window since few days ago for Jie Jie's Birthday Party and his version of Christmas Party :)

A Birthday Letter to Emily

US Trip 2013 - Weekend In Seattle - Day 2

On the second day, we woke up at around 8am, washed up and went down to the hotel lobby for their complimentary breakfast. Food selections were quite good and we had a heavy breakfast to start off the day.
After breakfast, we checked out from the hotel and drove to Pike Place Market, the world famous fish market. It is known for their tradition of fishmongers throwing fish that customers have purchased, before they wrapped. We all enjoyed looking at their performances.

 Rachel the Piggy Bank is the mascot of Pike Place Market

Volcanic Ashes Crafts

Ate Clam Chowder at Pike Place Chowder

We then walked to the Market Theater Gum Wall, which is a local landmark in downtown Seattle, in Post Alley under Pike Place Market. It is a brick alleyway covered with in used chewing gums, YUCKS!!
We kept reminding Emily and Jared to avoid touching any part of the walls :)

We also found the very 1st Starbucks Coffee Store located at Pike Place Market, built in 1971. Many tourists were queuing outside to get into the store and we joined the queue where hubby bought a nice thermos for his coffee.

We walked across some streets and went to the Pier area.

It was almost 4pm when we ended our tours. Everyone was tired with such long walks and the kids slept in the car on the way back to Hillsboro.