Happy Birthday Grandma!

We miss you. Tell Dad and Grandpa we said hi!

It is Finished

This past weekend signaled the end of yet another Chinese New Year Celebration. The Parade and Street Fair were held on Saturday. The weather had been really nasty and probably kept the crowds away on Saturday during the day. The parade was held Saturday night just about the time the sky opened up and unloaded. I felt so sorry for all the people in the parade including a friend of ours son who was marching. we decided to stay home and watch it on TV. Sunday was supposed to be the worst day of weather, but around noon the skies cleared up a little. The King and I decided to head down for the Festival while it wasn't raining. Next year is the Year of the Ox which is my year.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

It is the Year of the Rat and I want to wish my Rat a very Happy New Year!

Pregame for Year of the Rat

Sunday was spent in Chinatown with all my best friends trying to find the perfect orange or the perfect flowers to adorn ones house with for the new year. Went with the King and her mom as the pack mule. First off out of the gate, their were the two cases of oranges that I had to lug back to the car. Luckily the vendor let me borrow their dolly. Once I retured back from the car, I was met with a case of Pomello's to take back. Why wasn't that ready on the first trip when I had the dolly? Who knows. Then the day was spent buying special foods and candies for the New Year and the all important tangerines with the stems and leaves still attached for good luck. Finally I was fed before our journey continued and more items were purchased for the big day. On tuesday the King and I went to the flower market to buy flowers which are very important for the New Year. They must be red and gladiolla's seem to be the preferred flower. It was then off to Chinatown to meet her Mom for yet more groceries and oranges and to pick up the chickens that had freshly succumbed to their injuries from an Aunt of hers. You must have the fresh chickens with the heads and feet in place. Wednesday, the entire day was spent cleaning the house as you are not to do any housework or shower on New Year's Day. I'm not real firm on the last one. Finally the kids went to their Paternal Grandparents for dinner and the King and I went over to David and Carmen's house for dinner which included Pig's Feet and the ever popular Black Hair Moss. Being as David is a cook, it could have been worse.

Silver Oak Winter Release

This past Saturday the King and I took our friends David and Carmen with us the the Silver Oak release for their 2003 Napa Cabernet. This was the first time we had gone to the Winter Release in Napa, we usually have gone to the one in Sonoma which is in August. This was also David and Carmen's first trip to Napa. It was a cold and rainy day in Napa with the temps in the mid 40's to low 50's. They are constructing a new winery in Napa, so they had a large tent setup outside for the quest. When we arrive we had to park a little ways away because of no parking inside. A soon as we got out of the car a van was rigth there to take us in. We apid our $20 apiece and received our glasses and a lunch ticket. The wine we were drinking goes for $100 per bottle so needless to say we were getting as many refills to get our money's worth. The lunch was actually very good as well. Next we took them to V. Sattuii so they could try different wines as Silver Oak only has Cabernet's. From there we took them to a few more ending up at Domain Chandon for champagne which they enjoyed. Then it was off to the Premium Outlet Mall for some shopping. When we got back home we picked up the kids and all went out for dinner. It was fun to hang out with them and look forward to taking them again when the weather in Napa is nice.

Another rainy day!

Well we should be in good shape for water this year. It rained 22 days in January and February is off to a good start as well. Suffice it to say we haven't done a whole lot. Crysta's still playing basketball and her team has won their last two games. Elijah is busy studying for the SAT test. we are scheduled to go to Napa tomorrow for Silver Oak's Release Day, but I think it's supposed to rain again and may keep me at home. work has kept me busy as we have moved more people into our new building. Basically my job has doubled in the last few months which keeps me busy. Wish we were getting the snow like East Peavine and West Peavine, but at least you can see it on the mountain tops around us. Hope you all have a good weekend!