Life With The Yuens

Crazy Day

2012-01-26T17:26:00.001-10:00

Crazy day today. My iPhone got stolen at work. Off my desk. I called it multiple times. Nothing. Couldn't hear my Party Rock Anthem ringtone. It was not turned off to silent.

I noticed it missing right after my 3rd period left and since I don't have a 4th period. I looked up where most of my kids would be and I confronted my 3rd period in their classes. Nothing.

I was (and am) so mad that it happened. Mad that someone took it and mad that I so stupidly left it out. I was really sad too since my life is on the phone, my pictures, my contacts...everything.

I was told by the front office that I was to file a police report. So I called 911 with my friend's cell phone.

Apparently when you file a police report on campus, you're supposed to meet the officer at the main/front office and not at the "crime scene" (aka my room).

So I filed a police report. The officer is in my room as 5th period starts while I write it.

Toward the end of 5th & my room phone rings. It's David who called and said he just texted my phone and used the "Find my iPhone" app and the phone is still on campus. As my 6th period starts to walk in, I hear my sister's text tone. I ask David to call it and I hear it in my desk.

I think it was put back in my desk. I checked my phone and it had no missed calls listed on my phone so someone had to have rejected the calls.

I'm just glad I got my phone back! Phew.

Moral of the story - never use your phone as a paperweight.

Raya & Aaron singing "I'm a Child of God"

2012-01-15T19:43:00.001-10:00

This was back in October

Rewind - Oct 2011 Primary Presentation

2012-01-15T19:41:00.001-10:00

Aaron borrowed a white shirt from a family for the Primary Presentation in October.

He looks pretty sharp.

Outside after sacrament with the rest of the primary.

Here is the primary with the teachers and leaders.

Raya totally did all these poses all by herself. She's so funny!

Rewind - Halloween 2011

2012-01-15T19:02:00.001-10:00

Took the kids outside for a Halloween costume photo shoot and Raya took the cutest photos!

Aaron was a basketball player instead of Spiderman, Supeman or Batman, which is what he wanted to be but we never found any cheap costumes.

Raya showing off her wings.

Raya must've gotten tired of taking pictures

David and the kids in line for a game at our ward Trunk n Treat. It ended up being inside because of the weather.

I dressed up as a ketchup bottle. Well, I attempted to. This was on our way to the ward Halloween party

Aaron and Raya posing by Aaron's preschool Halloween decorations/crafts.

The coolest candy they got Halloween night! It was from the Robertson's house and she does this every year!

Makana as a vampire!

Fairy princess with her dad, the Haunted Lagoon volunteer :)

David dressed up as James Bond for work with his flower and (water) gun. Smokin'

Slipper size

2012-01-13T17:18:00.001-10:00

Thank you Luke & Maine for the cute Dora slippers! She loves them!

Apparently mainland slippers/flip flops run smaller. Her black slippers are size 4 & the ones they got her were a size 5/6...hmmm...interesting

Update: David took a look at the slippers. On the bottom, they says 4/5 but the sticker on the slipper and the hanger said 5/6. What?!

Rewind - October 2011

2012-01-10T22:21:00.001-10:00

Windward Mall - Bull Kogi

I love that place. I love their food. Definitely fulfills my craving for Korean food when I'm at the mall.

David had a pair of Scotts that started "talking" and he's only worn it for a couple months. Scotts has a policy that if your slippers break or whatnot which isn't due to regular use, you can send it in and they'll replace it for you. Free. Well you have to pay to send it in but still. Pretty neat.
So we did. Scotts has an office in Honolulu so it was pretty cheap to send. I had actually forgotten we had sent it in but one day, a box came in for David. Ta-da! A new pair of slippers for David!

Just a cute picture of Aaron reading The Lorax at the BYUH Bookstore

We were waiting in the Fast Pass line at Haunted Lagoon. We went at the beginning so David could enjoy it, more like protect me on the ride and then head back to work as a monster on the ride.

Aaron singing "I'm a Child of God"

2012-01-09T11:41:00.000-10:00

Rewind - sometime in 2011

2012-01-08T19:21:00.001-10:00

The two pictures of David are ones that Raya took with my phone. Not too shabby.

Raya got a Hello Kitty backpack from my mom. She loves it. She wanted to wear it even though nothing was in it. Now I use it as her diaper/lunch bag when she goes to her grandma's house during the week :)

Hawaii Children's Discovery Center field trip

2012-01-07T21:43:00.001-10:00

Aaron's preschool, Bright Beginnings, had a field trip to the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center...sometime between August and November...maybe in October...or September.

It was really fun there! I would love to go again with the kids, heck, I'd go without the kids! The kids get to touch and play with everything!

The bus ride was really windy!

When we were waiting outside, Raya sat down with Aaron's class like she was a part of it and promptly asked Aaron for some of his snacks. Some of the other kids were nice and offered her some of theirs.

Raya loved that star costume. She went back a couple times to put it back on!

Aaron using his strength to pull on the rope

Raya loved driving and turning that wheel. Anything that had a wheel she could turn, she went on it.I think she's even pushing that kid away so she could keep "driving"

Aaron and Raya loved playing with the bubbles. I think they should have a bigger bubble station or more bubble activities. There was a rope on the side that pulled that bar up and down in the solution and the kids loved blowing it and making a huge bubble.

Shopping! Raya had fun putting stuff in the carts. It was so cute!

Aaron getting lifted so he could see himself on the TV via the camera in the picture in the news station.

Enjoyed golfing and turning that wheel to make the ball go in another direction. The kids would fight over who would get the golf club or the golf ball.

Pushing buttons in the theater area, making music.

Posing with Curious George

Playing with trains

Trying to get money from the ATM

The Hawaiian Children's Discovery Center is so fun! I'm so glad I got to go on the field trip!

Aaron singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

2012-01-03T23:08:00.000-10:00

Aaron singing "Itsy Binsy Spider" along with the motions

Aaron singing Old McDonald had a Farm

2012-01-03T23:07:00.000-10:00

We were on our way back home from the airport after visiting California when Aaron starts singing. He loves to sing and randomly as well. In the next few posts will be his renditions of some classic children's songs.
Here we have him singing "Old McDonald had a Farm"...for a little bit anyway...accompanied by David :)

20 Things to Stop Doing

2011-12-30T10:21:00.001-10:00

Got this email from my sister. I don't know where she got this from but I would like to share with you. Since the new year is quick approaching, I also thought it would be good read to make 2012 an amazing year!

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1. Stop holding grudges. – Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness.
2. Stop meaning what you don't say. – People can't read minds. Communicate regularly and effectively.
3. Stop making it all about you. – The world revolves around the sun, not you. Take a moment to acknowledge this truth on a regular basis.
4. Stop lying. – In the long-run the truth always reveals itself. Either you own up to your actions or your actions will ultimately own you.
5. Stop blaming. – Blaming others accomplishes nothing. Either you own your problems, or they will own you. Your choice. When you blame others for what you're going through, you deny responsibility – you give-up your power over that part of your life, and you annoy everyone around you in the process.
6. Stop doubting. – If you think that you can't achieve something, I have some news for you, you're probably right. But don't let your self-doubt interfere with other people's dreams. Remember, the one who says it can't be done should never interrupt the one doing it.
7. Stop interrupting. – Correcting someone when they're blatantly wrong is one thing, but always interjecting your opinions out of turn gets old fast.
8. Stop being selfish. – You get what you put into a relationship. Nothing less, nothing more.

9. Stop judging. – Everyone is fighting their own unique war. You have no clue what they are going through, just like they have no clue what you're going through.

10. Stop gossiping. – Gossiping about others is a lose/lose situation. It hurts them, and then it hurts your reputation.
11. Stop making promises you can't keep. – Don't over-promise. Over-deliver on everything you do.
12. Stop being defensive. – Just because someone sees something differently than you doesn't mean either one of you is wrong. Keep an open mind. Open minds discover great things.
13. Stop comparing people to others. – No two people are alike. Everyone has their own strengths. We are only competing against our own selves.
14. Stop expecting people to be perfect. – 'Perfect' is the enemy of 'good.' And genuine 'goodness' is hard to find in this world. Don't overlook it.
15. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – It's impossible. But making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus.
16. Stop screwing people over just because you can get away with it. – Just because you can get away with something doesn't mean you should do it. Think bigger. Do what you know in your heart is right.
17. Stop making mountains out of molehills. – People make mistakes. Crap happens. There's no reason to stress out yourself and everyone around you because of it. One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: "Will this matter in one year's time?" If not, then it's not worth worrying about.
18. Stop being dramatic. – Stay out of other people's drama and don't needlessly create your own.
19. Stop giving out advice, and just listen. – Less advice is often the best advice. People don't need lots of advice, they need a listening ear and some positive reinforcement. What they want to know is already somewhere inside of them. They just need time to think, be and breathe, and continue to explore the undirected journeys that will eventually help them find their direction.

20. Stop complaining. – Instead, use your time and energy to do something about it.

I know it's quite a list but I know there are some things on here I should stop doing. Let's just pick one or two we really want to stop doing every month and work on it!
No looking back at our mistakes or our past. Let's move forward!

Here's to a new year!

Hai-yah!

2011-12-27T23:43:00.001-10:00

Aaron had a silly band on his head and an armband/wristband and started karate chopping and of course Raya ha to get in on the action! I asked him what he was doing and he said he was a "Power Ranger Samurai" and continued his chopping.
His faces are hilarious! My kids love to pose for the camera! Aaron was trying to do some breakdancing move or something.
They sure keep me entertained!

REWIND - Back from CA Trip in October

2011-12-27T23:23:00.001-10:00

In the plane eating cookies my mom gave the kids.

They weren't on their best behavior but at least no one complained (to my face anyway).

Reunited with David at the Honolulu baggage claim. I got lost trying to get to the claim area.

I'm not going to explain, just know that I got really confused with the renovations that were happening at the airport.

Aaron & Raya 12.22.11

2011-12-22T22:59:00.001-10:00

Aaron and Raya are so cute when they get along. I love how their arms are around each other. Of course Aaron has to make his faces and so Raya followed along :)

Raya has a ponytail!

2011-12-21T10:01:00.001-10:00

Yay! I love that her hair is long enough for me to make into a ponytail! She is too cute and looks so much older than her 2 year old self!

Aaron's (school) pictures

2011-12-14T23:20:00.001-10:00

Aaron drew the nativity in Sunbeams. His school picture from Bright Beginnings - Hauula.

I was gonna post his class picture but I probably should respect his classmate's privacy :)

Oh Christmas Tree...

2011-12-04T20:07:00.001-10:00

We finally put our tree up!

I opened up our box of Christmas decorations and found that ants had made it their home and was breeding in it. Yuck! So Aaron and I went outside to clean out the ants. Bleh. I hate ants.

The middle of our tree's lights went out last year and I was given a string of lights from our neighbors and since I didn't check it until now, only half of the lights worked. I just wrapped the lights in the middle halfway since we didn't really need to see the side facing the window anyway...right?

Aaron was so excited to put up our tree and decorate it. He was such a great helper and he didn't even drop an ornament, it was me! I didn't catch it in time and it smashed into pieces all over the floor.

Poor Raya was sick and slept like all day but she sure enjoyed seeing the finished product!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Applebee's

2011-11-25T21:26:00.000-10:00

After a long morning of taking pictures with my brother's wedding party, we decided that we had a couple hours before we had to get ready for the reception and since we hadn't had a chance to eat at Applebee's yet, we decided to go eat there! It was still fairly early so there was hardly anyone in the restaurant.

I don't even remember what we ordered.

Overall, it was pretty good and we enjoyed ourselves.

Luke & Charmaine's wedding reception

2011-11-24T01:00:00.000-10:00

The kids were to walk in front of the line to the table and sit down but I was filming and couldn't & didn't grab them in time :)

Life With The Yuens

Crazy Day

Raya & Aaron singing "I'm a Child of God"

Rewind - Oct 2011 Primary Presentation

Rewind - Halloween 2011

Slipper size

Rewind - October 2011

Aaron singing "I'm a Child of God"

Rewind - sometime in 2011

Hawaii Children's Discovery Center field trip

Aaron singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Aaron singing Old McDonald had a Farm

20 Things to Stop Doing

Hai-yah!

REWIND - Back from CA Trip in October

Aaron & Raya 12.22.11

Raya has a ponytail!

Aaron's (school) pictures

Oh Christmas Tree...

Applebee's

Luke & Charmaine's wedding reception

Aaron is Four!

Lil Bro's wedding photos at Oakland Temple

Raya's TWO!

Setting Up For Luke's Wedding Reception

Fenton's Ice Cream - Oakland, CA

Dinner with the Bro's (then future) In-Laws

Videos - Naming Body Parts & The Rainbow Song

In N Out Burgers

Golden Gate Bridge

Random happenings that should've been blogged

Happy/Sad Raya

*Wink*

IKEA

San Francisco & Oakland

Exploratorium

Tuesday Oct 4th - Parent's Anniversary

Vortex of All Lost Things

Jelly Belly & Golden Corral & Pho

California Trip - Oct 1, 2011

Fua Tuimaunei's farewell

David's 28th Birthday

Bounce House and Lollipops

Dave & Busters

Ruby Tuesday & Basketball Shoes

Raya Rewind II

Random Pictures

Elder Kaai Yuen

Aaron Rewind

Playing at Windward Mall

Party Rock

Aaron & Raya

Lost Drafts: Raya grew out of bed

Sister Mailani Yuen

Raya Rewind

Colorado Yuen's

Grandpa Yuen's Grave

Tire Swing at Davis Hauula Rental in July

Raya Girl

Raya's "pocket"

Diaper Boxes

Yuen Family Reunion - Nuuanu

YSA Regional Conference - 8.20.11

Hair cut - 9.3.11

While waiting for David 9.2.11

Raya - 21 months

Some of this past week

Picture Love!

Sleeping Pictures

"It's too bright!"

Rewind- 4th of July Slip n Slide

Raya is growing up!

Aaron's observation about glasses

What a day! aka Biking Adventure #55

2nd First Day of Pre-school

Biking Adventure # 27

After the Dentist

Onsie Pocket

Yuen Family Reunion 2011 - day 2

Some summer pics

Wink