Korea culture at LACMA

We spent quite a bit of time at LACMA to see Treasures From Korea.  The boys made Bokjumeoni (복주머니) which is a traditional Korean coin purse to represent good fortune.  The boys had such a good time sewing the pouch together and afterwards the boys got to play Korean drums.  It's so nice to live in a city full of such diverse cultures and I hope that the boys will appreciate their bi-cultural heritage.  What will we do next???

Calder at LACMA

After the boys embraced their Korean culture, we went through the Calder exhibit.  The boys were intrigued by some of the pieces and Jawsh was inspired.  Every time we are at LACMA, I think that we should go more often because there is so much to see, discover, and eat (Jawsh ate a delicious dish of pasta at Ray's).  When will we return???

Hatfield's

Throughout the years, Jawsh and I have tried to dine at the top restaurants (referencing Jonathan Gold's list) in Los Angeles as well as those restaurants that have received Michelin Stars.  The Michelin Guide started over 100 years ago in France and awards stars to few establishments.  Although the Michelin guide has not been in LA for quite a number of years, we have managed to dine at Michelin Star Restaurants with 2 stars (Melisse, Providence, and Spago) and 1 star (Water Grill, Osteria Mozza, and Valentino).  After our 9th anniversary dinner, we can now add Hatfield's to the list.  We really enjoyed all the food at Hatfield's although I must admit that we did not eat dessert there as I opted to go to Sprinkles to get a chocolate marshmallow cupcake.  Where will Jawsh take me next year for the big 10???

Snowy Days with Ezra Jack Keats

Today we went to the Skirball Museum to check out Ezra Jack Keats' exhibit.  He is one of my favorite children's authors and I was very excited to see such a large space dedicated to his work.  There were interactive story books and many things that the kids could touch and wear (i.e. goggles inspired by his book Goggles).  Afterwards we went to the Children's Art Studio where the boys took recyclable materials and created an invention to help the world.  Noah made a "Bee Saver" that could suck up bees and transport them to their natural habitat and Micah made a "Tar Robot" that sucks up tar from the ocean.  This was a great day of discovery for all of us, wouldn't you agree???

9

Happy 9 years!  We went back to the exact spot we were married (7-24-05) at the terrace of Shutters on the Beach Hotel.  Looking back to that magical night, I still can't believe we were married here.  The boys have heard our memories from the evening and now they have started telling us details about our wedding (like when Uncle Zach has to hold the chuppah because the wind was blowing so hard).  We ate dinner downstairs at Coast and enjoyed our meal together.  This was a great night and I'm looking forward to our kid free dinner this weekend when Bubbe comes over to watch the boys... where will Jawsh take me???

Hammer

Today we went to the Hammer Museum to check out the exhibition, Made in L.A, 2014.  This show featured 35 Los Angeles artists debuting paintings, installations, videos, photography, and performance.  We enjoyed going through the exhibits but the boys really liked spending time at the kids' wood block table.  When will we come back to Westwood???

Little Tokyo

Today we ventured to Little Tokyo to eat ramen at Daikokuya.  It was a long wait but as you can see on the boy's faces it was worth it. We enjoyed delicious ramen, rolls, and fried rice.  It was a fun afternoon exploring Little Tokyo.  Where will our next food adventure be???

Black-eye

Micah and Kaitlyn collided in an epic game of Hide and Seek upstairs in the hotel suite.  His first (and hopefully last) black eye... will he be okay???

Just keep swimming

The kids love swimming at the pool.  Now that Noah and Micah can swim independently we have a fun time throwing them around the pool.  The kids especially liked retrieving rings that my brother would throw to the other side of the pool.  I feel so lucky that the kids can see each other and create fun memories every summer.  What will we do later today???

Cousins

We love seeing the family at our annual Vegas reunion.  The kids get along very well and they are sweet to one another. Today they spent time together at the pool and then we went back to play at my aunt's house.  It's nice having cousins around the same age... what will we do tomorrow???

M&M store

The boys love visiting the M&M store with their cousins, Sophie and Daphne.  The boys each filled a bag of M&Ms... Noah likes the mint and Micah enjoys the mega size.  Then we watched a 4D movie starring what else... M&Ms!  It was a fun time and we even figured out how to walk to the store through the hotel without stepping outside in the over 100 degree heat!  What will they want to do tomorrow???

Surf and sand

Jawsh has started surfing again and the boys are very interested in learning more about the sport.  Noah is definitely more cautious, whereas Micah is more of a dare devil.  I wonder who will learn this in time for Maui???

Happy 4th

We went back to Cheviot Hills to watch the fireworks.  We did the usual... brought dinner from Pitfire Pizza and ate dessert with friends.  The boys enjoyed running around chasing the girls and of course loved the glow sticks.  It was a lot of fun but I did miss my family.  What will we do next year???

Look who got glasses!

Noah and Micah went to the optometrist a few weeks ago and  it was determined that Noah could wear glasses while he reads.  He has been complaining of mild headaches after reading for long periods of time, so the doctor said he could use the glasses as needed.  Noah independently chose the same type of glasses that Jawsh wears (Raybans) but he chose another color.  Like father and son, right???

La Brea Tar Pits

After the Craft and Folk Museum, we walked across the street to the Page Museum.  The boys still find the smell offending but now that they are older, they are laughing and making up fart jokes.  Noah was interested in the documentary about the museum whereas Micah was interested in the gift shop.  Unfortunately, we did not have chance to check out Observation Pit 91.  Now that it's re-opened to the public we will have to go back... when will that be???

Craft and Folk Museum

Today we made  quick stop to the Craft and Folk Art Museum.  It was a free admission day and the boys got to participate in an art exhibition, Broken Circle, by Dario Escobar.  In addition, the boys like the Empire of Love Shack which is an installation made from found materials by Shrine.  This was a great installation that Noah loved... will he want to be an artist???