So, last week, n, k and I all (in that order) came down with the stomach flu. D managed to escape. We had to postpone k’s birthday party, which we had planned for Saturday. š But thankfully, we are better now, and we celebrated k’s actual birthday today. We made m&m cookie pops for her classmates. D also brought home unwanted cupcakes from work. k got so excited about them, but barely touched hers. Probably too full from her chicken curry dinner. Anyway, Happy Birthday to our little k, who is not so little anymore!
Favorite Commercial of 2010
D and I watched “Funniest Commercials of 2010”. This is my vote for #1!
Lights in Laguna
I have an advent calendar that I made last year. The idea is to put different verses and activities for every day leading up to Christmas. However, I haven’t been able to get my act together and plan out the whole month. Maybe next year, right? Well, two weekends ago the activity I planned was to go see the Christmas lights in the Nellie Gail neighborhood of Laguna Hills.
We packed the kids up and bundled them in blankets. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived the kids were sleeping. (n just woke up for the picture).
I have probably seen more elaborately decorated homes (like the ones we saw last year in RSM), but this was the first house to have its own radio signal!
Notice the sign: Tune into 100.1! The music is coordinated to the lights! We just listened from our car.

We drove around the posh neighborhood to look at some of the other homes too. Next year I want to do a drive-thru nativity…hopefully the kids will stay awake!
Christmas at the OC Zoo
This afternoon we used our free admission ticket to go to the OC Zoo. We went with really low expectations and came out pleasantly surprised. There were Christmas decorations throughout the zoo, which k got really excited about. I think this is the first time that she really showed an interest in seeing all of the animals. n liked pointing to all of the birds and saying his word for bird.

The highlight for us. There are two bears and they are huge!
An Up-tastic Party
December??
This past week has been really busy, which is why we haven’t had time to post. Thanksgiving seems like a distant memory already. We had a nice one though, with some really good turkey made by my mom. I went to Target’s Black Friday sale at 4 a.m. I must say they really had their act together…the registers were fully manned, there was an expediter directing people the the next available register, etc. Later that morning I took n to urgent care because I suspected he had an ear infection. Unfortunately, I was right…both ears were infected. He was prescribed Amoxicilin, which he seems to really enjoy. Seriously, I give him his 1 tsp. dosage, and he seems to want more! Anyway, he has a follow up appointment next week where he will get a thorough ear cleaning; not looking forward to that one. D also put up the Christmas tree that day.
Saturday we went to a funeral in the morning where they had an In-n-Out truck! That was unique. In the afternoon, we decorated the tree. It is so cute to see k get excited about the same ornaments that I used to love unpacking each year. Saturday night we went to a one year old’s “Up” themed birthday party. k and n each had their caricature drawn–I’ll post the pictures later.
Meanwhile, D and I have been working hard on our Christmas cards. Plus, my sister and nephew came back to the States and are staying at my parents house right now.
The best part about it being December? No more mustache for D! k says she misses it; I think she got used to it and can’t remember that D didn’t have one before, haha.
Belacan Grill
I’ve been wanting to try Belacan Grill in Tustin, so when I saw a Groupon ($20 for $40 of food), I decided to take advantage of the deal. D’s dad grew up in Malaysia, so maybe we should take D’s parents here the next time they visit. Malaysian restaurants aren’t that common.
Roti Canai ($3)
k’s favorite. She even liked the curry dipping sauce that came on the side.
Nasi Lemak ($10)
“steamed rice with coconut milk and frangrant screwpine (pandan) leaves served with anchovies, boiled egg, cucumber, vegetables, roasted peanuts and our famous beef rendang” A little too authentic for our tastes. I guess I could have known from the description that it wouldn’t be our favorite, but I was curious. The meat was kind of jerky-like. We will skip this one next time.
Char Kway Teow ($9)
Kind of like pad see ew, but I think I like pad see ew better. Not bad, though.
BTW, D was underdressed, and can I just say again that I really can’t wait until November is over? (Although he did just receive a $76 donation, so that is really nice!)
Hainan Chicken ($12)
D’s favorite. Personally, I can’t get over the fact that it is served at room temperature, but it tastes good with the sauces and rice.
So, it turns out that Groupons apply to the tax, but not tip, so we needed to order one more roti to go to spend our full $40. We ate it for breakfast the next day! It heats up well in the toaster oven. I also put some of the leftover chicken in the leftover curry dipping sauce and it tasted pretty good! We would have probably liked some of the more Chinese-sounding dishes better, but then what it the point of going to a Malaysian restaurant?
Movember
So, throughout the month of November, or should I say Movember, D is sporting a stache. It is a good cause, no doubt, but I personally can’t wait for it to be over. It started through one of D’s co-workers who has done it before. Not one to say no to a challenge, D has been committed, even though he is self-conscious about it. It’s times like these when I sort of wish D wasn’t so dedicated to follow through with what he starts. Please donate here to make this worthwhile!
The Tustin Side of the Marketplace
This afternoon we nixxed plans to go to Fashion Island’s tree lighting ceremony due to the rain. Instead we hung out at the Marketplace, on the Tustin side. First we went to Starbucks to enjoy their BOGO holiday drink special. Never seen that Starbucks that busy. k and n shared a peppermint hot chocolate and D and I shared a pumpkin latte. I couldn’t resist this Starbucks ornament to add to my new “food and drink” Christmas ornament collection.
Then we went to check out the newly opened REI. Wow, it was crowded! D had fun checking out all of the ski gear. 
n loves helmets of all kinds. He likes pointing out anyone else who is wearing a helmet, as well.

We also had him try on this $79 Northface jacket. No way would we ever buy this, but I really liked the color.
24 Hour Fitness
Ranking the 24 Hour Fitnesses that I have been to.
#1 Irvine Marketplace Super Sport (Towel Service, Frosted glass shower doors)
#2 Cypress Sport (Large one story, Easy parking)
#3 La Cienega Magic Johnson (Nice facility but three sotries)
#4 Orange Sport (Large two story, Easy parking)
#5 Irvine Spectrum Sport (Nice bathrooms, but no pool)
#6 South Coast Metro Center Super Sport (Nice but cramped)
#7 Irvine Center Sport (Average size)
#8 Manhattan Beach Active (Small)
#9 Irvine Culver Drive Active (Small)
#10 Sacramento (Fulton & Hurley) Active (Small and old)
#11 Tustin Active (Small and old)














