"Eyes Front, Tim!"

This is from the "Volvo Driving School" attraction at Legoland. These kids, all under six years old, fully operate these cars, controlling acceleration and of course steering. What a blast!




Later, we get a preview of how it'll be when I teach Timmy how to drive. They're harder to spot, but Tim is in the yellow car, and his cousin Cameron is in the blue. Be sure to catch the wreck at the very end.

New Year's Eve Karaoke

Steph's parents were kind enough to keep the boys for the evening so the grown ups could get some ramen and sing some karaoke. In the spirit of self-deprecation, here's Steph's brother-in-law and me doing a rendition of Garth Brooks' Friends in Low Places. I know I can't self-deprecate for Mike, but you know what I mean. Click on this at your own risk.

New Year's Trip to Los Angeles

So the family traveled to Torrance, CA to bring in the New Year. It's an annual Japanese tradition observed by Stephanie's family and it's quite a big feast. The best thing about getting together with her family is it brings Timmy together with his cousins from Seattle. Cameron is a year younger than Tim, but is about the same size. Casey is a very beautiful girl of 10, who is still not too old to spend all her time with the two younger boys.

Here are the 3 on a train at Knott's Berry Farm.
Timmy was hellbent on having his face painted. Who would've believed that a 4 year old kid would hold stock still long enough to have his whole face done up like a tiger.
Later, the boys came in first and second in the All-Asian Kid pump cart race, beating out a set of different-sized Korean triplets. Well, they all looked the same, anyway. Here they are, well ahead of the pack.

And lest you think the kids were the only ones having fun at Knott's, the moms got in on the act too. Evidently, the ferris wheel is a thrill ride (see Steph and sister Cheryl screaming like ninnies in the middle of the photo, while the three cousins above them raise their hands in glee).
As is tradition, Stephanie and her sisters all get their favorite pie baked for them by their mom. Steph's is lemon meringue and her birthday falls nine days after the new year. We got to celebrate her's a week early and with two pies.

We bought him a Skateboard (oh no)

We visited Mike McGill's Skateshop near San Diego before going to Legoland, and met the former pro himself. He sold us a skateboard set up for a kid, as well as some signature pads. Now, Timmy's all about skateboarding. Here he is learning to fakie in his grandparents' driveway in Torrance. He's such a SoCal kid.



And here he is gritzing. Good thing McGill sold us the pads.

Possibly My Favorite Picture

Here's what possibly may be my all time favorite picture:


From the morning my son was born. It pretty much speaks for itself.

Who knows, I've got lots of favorite pictures. Stay tuned for more "Possibly My Favorite Picture" posts.

Who Wants to Check Out My Wife

Here's Stephanie, after a weekend getaway to the Island of Lanai, where we stayed at the fabulous Lodge at Koele. The Lodge is far and away my favorite hotel. My law firm retreat is held there annually in the spring, no kids allowed, and it is always a highlight.

This year, we're going back for more in November with Steph's sister and her husband. More rum and pineapple cocktails in the bar, cigars on the veranda, and backgammon in the Trophy Room amongst the deer antlers and fireplaces. More midnight hot tubbing in the cold mountain air. I can't wait.

Birthday Brunch at the Halekulani

We celebrated my 41st birthday by having my family to my favorite, the Halekulani Hotel breakfast buffet. Eat all the bacon and syrupy pancakes you can stand, add fresh squeezed guava juice, and repeat. Believe it or not, these guys are older than me!

Timmy and his cousins were on a sugary high like they've never been on before, but amazingly, there were no mishaps and they were on their best behavior (yep, that's Diamond Head in the background glare).


Afterwards, we walked around Waikiki before the crush of tourists filled the streets. A couple visiting from the mainland asked to take a picture of the three of us, because of our matching aloha attire. I decided not to disabuse them of the idea that such was a common sight among the locals of Honolulu. Better they think that we live in paradise.