Sunday, December 27, 2009

Update for Brandon and Serene

Both baby and mommy are doing fine. Please enjoy viewing pictures of Brandon from the past two days.

One day old (I am sleeping)

Two days old (I am groggy leave me alone)

What's up Grandma!

Daddy are you feeding me soon?

Friday, December 25, 2009

Greatest Christmas Present- New Arrival

We joyously introduce our baby boy
Brandon Soon-Chern Yong
Born on December 25, 2009 at 10.34am
6 pounds, 3 ounces and 19.5 inches long

Mom and daddy are is doing very well . Thank you for your well wishes and prayers.

With love
Adrian & Serene

Resting after coming out

Feeding time (I am hungry)

Sleeping Time

Daddy Time

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Summer 2009 - Newport, R.I.


A girlfriend in college once shared with me her Aunt's favorite saying: "Girl on a mission, finds a man with a mansion." When we visited Newport, R.I. in July, this phrase kept playing in my head along with "over-the-top" as we walked through the ginormous rooms that the Vanderbilts, the Berwinds and the likes once spent their summers many, many years ago. It was really mind blowing to see the facilities and amenities these mansions had to offer for a 6-9 week escapade each year.

It's easy to suffer mansion overload, so we had to choose wisely which ones we thought were worth visiting. We ended up in these super abodes.


Breakers



The Elms



Marble House



Rosecliff

Rosecliff is probably my favorite house mansion. It's not too cluttered and decorated with gilded trimmings - less is indeed more.


Cliffwalk

After experiencing a misty and dreary day before, we were very fortunate to enjoy a beautiful, sunny Sunday. It was just perfect for a walk by the cliffs. Definitely not to be missed if one were to visit Newport.

What a glorious day :) Blue skies and all...

Even "Marley" here agrees :)


Bowen's Wharf

Hats anyone? It's truly a summer staple...

What about some singing? Happy Birthday America!!!

Or, some R & R on board a yacht

We also came to a seaside town to enjoy... what else - SEAFOOD, of course! We tried two places near Bowen's Wharf - The Black Pearl and Barking Crab, over the 2 days.


The Black Pearl

Black Pearl patrons enjoying good food and summer sunshine

Our lunch, yum!


Barking Crab
Love the sign

Complete with instructions for the first-timers (it's unkind to write dummies)

Our appetizer - Stuffies

New England Clambake


Burp!!! I'm full and time to sign-off...till our next adventure.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Trish's Family - Maidenhead, U.K.


During our trip to England for Janet & Darren's wedding, we stayed with Trish and her family in Lower Cookham, Maidenhead. If you read my earlier entry last year, Trish came to the States and lived in Florida in 2008. Well, the Radotics have since moved back to the U.K. for Milko's job. My last trip there was about 8 years ago sans the three Radotic boys - Max, Ollie & Hugo.

We had lots of fun catching up on old times. Trish & her family played the perfect host. We were well-fed, with warm breakfast greeting us each morning before making our way to London for our daily romp.

This post is especially for Trish and her family. Thank you so much for your kind hospitality!!!


The Radotics

Brunch by River Thames


Feeding the ducks - Ollie, Max & Hugo


The Boys

Max


Ollie


Hugo


Boulters Lock, Maidenhead


Boulters Lock



River Thames



This Mother Swan's eggs hatched a few days ago!


Rowers


Nice mansion by the river


Living the good life :)


Milko said that on a fortunate day, one might see the Queen bringing her Corgis for a walk along the River Thames near Maidenhead. Windsor Castle is just next door. Unfortunately, we didn't see Her Majesty. Better luck next time.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Note: I've disappeared from the blogging scene from a while and now it's time to get back on the bandwagon. I've fallen off a few times. This is the longest...

Janet & Darren's Wedding, Burton-on-Trent, U.K.

April showers bring May flowers. Spring time in the northern hemisphere is always lovely. Even lovelier when there's a wedding in the lush, green English countryside!


My sister-in-law, Janet married her handsome beau, Darren Luff on a beautiful spring afternoon on May 22, 2009. We flew across the Atlantic for this happy occasion.


The most important part - prepping the bride


The beautiful bride - she's ready to be married!


With Papa & Mama


Darren's Mom & Sister with Papa & Mama


Darren & his Dad (right) and friends


Janet, Amy (Maid of Honor) and the girls


Pre-Wedding Game and a Trickery :)

Game 1: The goal was to get an apple out of the bucket...


With your mouth

Game 2: Roll an egg from the waist down to the ankle (from the inside) without breaking it. The punishment? Push ups for the last person to get the egg out of his pants. Yup, he was the victim.


Game 3: Just for Darren. He had to pick Janet's hands among these ladies'.
He did exceedingly well :) Or, was it a lucky guess?


The Ceremony

Sealed, signed and delivered


Just married :)


Showers of confetti for the newly weds - hip, hip, hooray!


The kiss

The Reception

The wedding cake

The buffet spread

That's a pretty long knife or was it a sword?!


Father of the bride's speech


Groom's speech


Best man's speech


After Dinner Party

Weeee.....catch this ladies!


Shall we dance? Not just any but a Scottish barn dance


Some serious Ceilidh dancing going on in the ballroom before calling it the night


CONGRATULATIONS DR. & MRS. LUFF!