Monday, December 26, 2005

Meltdown on Christmas Evening

Don't let the serene faces of the Brewster Boys fool you. They were a major pain in the _ss during our dinner with Jenny's aunts, uncles and cousins on Christmas evening. Russell started complaining (sobbing) when we woke him upon arriving at the Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. I think he was grumpy because he wanted to sleep some more, plus the added trauma of waking up in an unfamiliar place. When the steamed fish arrived, Russell quickly got over his bad mood and began gobbling down his fish with steamed rice.

It was Punky that was the real horror show. For about 30 minutes, Punky kept crying loudly at the dinner table and wherever I carried him throughout the restaurant. I have no idea why he was so crabby. I ended up missing most of the dinner. He only calmed down when Jenny's mom picked him up at the end of our meal.

Things settled down when we went over to Jenny's Aunt Linda and Uncle Dick's house in the Sunset district. The boys were much more relaxed here, and enjoyed wolfing down the pastries and cookies. That finally gave me the opportunity to expand my waistline further this holiday season.


Russell examines the Christmas cake Posted by Picasa


The post-Christmas Dinner dessert table at Aunt Linda's and Uncle Dick's house Posted by Picasa


Punky changes the channel while Russell watches from the recliner at Aunt Linda's Christmas Dessert HourPosted by Picasa


The Brewster Boys before their meltdown in the Chinese restautant Posted by Picasa


Punky and Russell post-meltdown at the Chinese restaurant Posted by Picasa


Russell prepares to leave for our Christmas Dinner in San Francisco Posted by Picasa

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to All

We had a relaxing a Christmas Eve dinner at our friends Harry and Wendy house in Castro Valley. The Brewster Boys get along really well with Bethany and Savannah, so we were able just kick back and hang out with our friends. There were plenty of toys for the boys to play with, and I even got to watch the Hawaii Bowl (Nevada v. Central Florida) on television.

Dinner was Chinese Hot Pot, which consists of raw meat, fish and vegatables and boiling cauldrons of chicken broth. You cook it yourself at the table, and then enjoy the leftover broth. The sliced ribeye was especially yummy.

Russell and Punky really enjoyed Wendy's mother's wontons. Wontons are boiled dumplings of pork, shrimp and vegetables wrapped in a pasta-like shell. Sort of like Chinese ravioli. They ate 14 and 4 of them, respectively. In contrast, Bethany and Savannah, who are both older than Russell and Punky, ate 2 and 1 wontons apiece.


Spreading Christmas cheer, Punky asks if we want a shot of brandy Posted by Picasa


Russell takes his study of insects seriously enough to engage in role-playing Posted by Picasa


Russell, Bethany and Savannah at the Christmas dinner table Posted by Picasa


The Three Wise Men Posted by Picasa


Punky checks out a sleeping Russell Posted by Picasa


Bethany attempts a Vulcan mind-meld with a sleeping Russell Posted by Picasa


Punky gets placed on hold during calls to his grandparents wishing them a Merry Christmas Posted by Picasa


Peace and goodwill towards brothers on Christmas Eve Posted by Picasa

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Why We Love Alameda, Part 3

The weather on Christmas Eve was beautiful today, so we decided to go out for a bike ride and stroll down Alameda's Park Street. The city is doing a great job renovating the main shopping areas in town and getting people to open up new businesses. Everytime we go downtown, we notice new stores and restaurants.

The kids both love getting outside for some exercise and window shopping. When it came time to go back home, Punky had a meltdown because he didn't want leave. The Brewster Boys are going to love growing up in Alameda.

Everywhere we go in the city, we see kids riding their bikes and playing in local playgrounds. It's a Wonderful Life. Now if I can only open up the first Dunkin' Donuts shop in Alameda, everything would be perfect!


Russell rides in the neighborhood on his new bike with Punky and Jenny trailing behind in the Punkymobile Posted by Picasa


Punky prepares to step out of the Punkymobile after a Christmas Eve ride Posted by Picasa


Making a break for it, Punky scrurries down Alameda's Park Street leaving Russell and Jenny behind Posted by Picasa


Punky is cornered by yours truly in an Alameda storefront Posted by Picasa

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Christmas in Alameda

Next week we will be celebrating our 2nd Christmas in Alameda. The house is decorated more festively than last year. We put up three wreaths outside, and for the second year in a row, we have a live Christmas tree in the house.

Russell thinks its someone's birthday, since there are presents under the tree. At least he knows enough to call it a "Christmas Tree". Punky is still wondering what all the fuss is about, but enjoys the opportunity to yank a few Christmas ornaments off the tree. Neither of them has a clue of who Santa Claus is, although they met him earlier this week at Punky's play gym.

Russell is off from school for two weeks. This week, Jenny has been home with the kids all day. It's driving her crazy. I have most of next week off, so I will be spending time at home with the kids. This will give Jenny some time away to go shopping and other womanly things, and I will be driven insane by the Brewster Boys.


Russell shows off his favorite Christmas tree ornament Posted by Picasa


Punky looks for an opportunity to grab another ornament Posted by Picasa


Jenny's favorite Christmas Tree ornament Posted by Picasa


Another ornament displaying Jenny's favorite activity: shopping Posted by Picasa


The Sui-Chen Christmas Tree Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Time to Make the Donuts

I am now blogging about Dunkin' Donuts at DunkinDonutsTalk.com Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Pictures of the Day


We are the Fabulous Brewster Boys Posted by Picasa


Russell: "I'm with Punky!" Posted by Picasa


This Santa looks tired after hearing Russell's Christmas wish list Posted by Picasa


Punky attempts to escape from Santa's grasp Posted by Picasa


Punky: "I'm not eating this plastic cauliflower." Posted by Picasa


Russell takes a well-deserved nap Posted by Picasa


Russell's first attempt at reading a literary classic Posted by Picasa


Punky looks over Russell shoulder Posted by Picasa