Lake Tahoe, end of Sep 2010

my mom was visiting so we decide to head Tahoe for weekend and I was hoping to see some tree changing color but...no such thing and weather was 80something degree

Friday really late night we finally got there - we hit Sacramento traffic for long time...normally it will take 3 hours to get there but we took close 5hours

we stay at marriott timber lodge, place is beautiful and roomy but there is $25 mandatory valet fee - can do self parking but same price

we had one bedroom mountain lodge kind of room, it was comfy for 5 people(3 adult and 2 kids) cozy, and clean - same as other marriott property, have huge tub in master full kitchen - i think marriott used all same figure, all the marriott is identical in side

Sat. had breakfast in the room - this is why i like timeshare property so we can save money on eating out, went to check out Heavenly

we took gondola to top of Heavenly - $35/person, little kids are free, they have two stop on the way up but no stop on the way down so make sure you stop on the way to top,

on the top of mountain which is 1st stop, the view is unforgettable - whole different view than see the lake with bird eye view!! this is must stop but if you can't here is good tip : go to Harash casino top floor which is buffet restaurant, it is not mountain high but you can see lake pretty well as well as tahoe area

back to heavenly, you can bring picnic food and drink to gondola and you will have awesome lunch with 5 star view

second stop is actual heavenly ski resort not much going on other than hiking trail, low key off season

back to bottom, and had lunch/dinner at fire and ice: food was o.k somewhat disappointed - i saw lots of review that people love here...all of our family got sick including little one - food was not fresh at all, it is Mongolian b.b.q - you get law food and bring to grill and guys will cook for you, but please go somewhere else - you will get sick!!

had time at pool - weather was somewhat cold(CA standard) water was kind of warm but hot tub was great!! and i can imagine myself wintertime - hot tub after ski!!ahh!!! and they do have 4 of them

walk around tahoe area had pumpkin coffee (kind of felt fall) end SAT.

Sun: check out from hotel - strict10am check out time...

we had to get brunch at Harash buffet - brunch$17, kids eat free - pancake was good, chinese food was good, crab(didn't try) and endless champain!!

after lunch walk down to beach - water is sooo blue!! play with send check out people boating($150/hour you need to drive, since we have little kids we skip the speed boat, but can be a fun thing to do) but we do had chance to get on Tahoe Queen - big slow boat!! $45/person!! it was great for first 30minute....boat tour took 3 hours south shore to north shore and back to south shore - super slow speed, i think i swim faster!!! got to see whole lake...very informative and boring speaking captain....not recommend for people who with kids and no patient people like me!!!

Tahoe is really really tourist city with nevada kick - few casino can mass up people really well, casino weird people... but the view is sooo great worth the trip!! just be careful driving in and out - last part of road can be super dangerous!!

Happy vacation!!

Disneyland...

Hi people,
long time no blog...

so went to Disneyland again - if you fallow my blog we are one of Disney freak, we go there every 3~5 months...weird, ya?
but every time we go there we found new stuff or new thing to do and ride, especially E is growing so fast

Friday : we were on "I am so sorry i am on I-5 freeway"...it took us good 7 hours to drive down - normally 5 hours - kids need potty break, need to eat, need to play, etc..

Sat: Disneyland!!
first. people in LA area are rude - in my opinion - people trying to cut the line in the tram, smoke in front of kids - there is smoking area for reason... people act like they are in high school, maybe people who go Disneyland are rude..
anyway
we went Pixie hallow - this is New, and please don't under estimate of waiting time - we had 45 minute line just for picture with Tinker bell...
and silver mist was Asian...
and we did this 2 times - tinker bell in our DVD player play more than 100 times was more than enough, i really do not need to see her in person!!
well but for some one who adore Tink and she thought she was one of them thought it was really important to see "real Tinkbell" and she got blush by Terence
(My E is turning 3 and part of her gift was tinker bell dress/wing/shoes, so she was dress up as Tinker bell - that day with 100 something degree, some dedication!! - BTW the Tinkerbell shoes is really uncomfortable, my little one couldn't walk 3 step and she refused to take off...CRAP)

visited Mickey house, small world...

and met princesses - this was new for us too, never waited line for meet princess, mommy think it is such a wasting of time
Tip: if you can go to Royal story time or dance stay in the stage area where is right behind of princess walk - after show, many people left, and princess will come out again for picture and line is really short (5min VS 50min)

they changed the firework - Finally, it is been at least 5 years
kind of same as before but changed the music and one more surprise to fly =)

Sun: Disney CA side
my kids never been this side of Disney - i do not know why i never took my kids there maybe i thought it was more for grown up but i was wrong...
it was smaller than magic kingdom but have lots of kids stuff
bugs life place was really designed for toddler and Aladdin show was really awesome (but 40 min show my younger one was lost her interest after 20 min... and lots of grown up joke) that magic carpet they made was really great - it fly top of the theater

if you travel with young children and just two of you guys like us use parents pass and single ride combination - i had single rider pass for roller coster, no wait line at all, and after me my husband can go in without line too
because of single line pass we did most of grown up ride too
tower of terror, soring etc...

col0r of wonder is their new show and was super cloud for line - need to get fast pass for show otherwise they will not let you in the "theater" and fast pass line was more than a hour
but i have to say it was disappointed, it is kids version of LV Bellagio water show and even with out fast pass (bit far away) you can see fine also when they let you in (with pass) it was super unorganized system... someone who work there told me you can get o.k view from in front of Ariel restaurant(no pass)- if you get there early, do have show for 9pm, 10pm , and 11pm

we did stay @ Fairfeild inn at Placenta to save money
- NEVER AGAIN!!
it was smallest hotel room ever (this was second Fairfeild inn and 1st one was super nice), carpet was yaky, wall was so thin we can hear everything, felt like we were in camping - sleeping in the tent!!
only one good pro: was cheap!! less than $85/night and free breakfast...
but never again and please don't fool by their picture!!

this was E's b-day package and most of all she had great time
can't believe she is 3!!
I do not think i am ready for have 3 years old

Happy birthday, my love
mommy love you so much!!

happy vacation

still here

Hi there
I just want you guys to know
I am still here/ doing bloging =)
I been read all of you guys blog, just don't have time to put new one...
but I have two good trips for you guys!!
-scottsdale, AZ
and we will be in Disneyland on next month
so stay tune!!

thanks for not remove my blog yet!!

happy vacation

Stella and dot

I know this is not about travel but i might get travel fund from it so...

just become a Stella and dot stylist

i do not think i will pay bill with this, but it is just something i will find myself fun doing it

they do have really good jewelry with good price range

so if you guys have some time come check it out!!

www.stelladot.com/graceyeung

and if you like don't forget to tell your friends!!

and we will do blog party sometime... host will get free jewelry

happy vacation (or happy shopping)

oh, southern hospitality - Virginia

we are back about 2 weeks ago and back to real world stuff - drive kids a to b, busy with kids summer stuff, laundry...a.k.a sorry for delay

but here is all the information about Virginia!

Virginia was a lot better than i thought - sorry for folks who live there but we did not expected much from there...but here is my new thought - i love Virginia and we will surely back someday



July.3 sat: we were trap in airport...starting at 9 am in CA time, 2 hours difference in Chicago and 3 hours of lay and when we get to Norfolk airport11:30 pm on east coast time - were tired and hungry and need to drive good hour for williamsburg... but we saw the Sonic and i knew it, this place can not be bad!! =)



July.4th. sun - shake you flag, USA!!

colonial williamsburg - i underestimate size of colonial park, i thought it will be like few building and tons of souvenir shops...oh, how i was wrong!! it starch mile each way and not much shops!! - defiantly lots of walk and road condition was...colonial!!

if you want to get in to historic buildings you need to purchase pass ($40/person, no stroller allowed and only "nice kids" are allowed) so we passed on pass

love the detail of building - this place is trying to leave colonial as possible, lot of buildings are original and trying to not renovate(untouched) as much as they can

but come with very pricey price tag on everything especially on food and drink - do offer mug cup for $7 (i think) and refill is $1, didn't get it - brought our ice chest(thanks god!!)

had lunch @ bakery (few full service restaurant - very pricey) and 2 quick meal stop(1.b.b.q stand with million people 2. bakery shop) order ham and turkey sandwich(bread, ham, cheese - like hospital grade) slice of apple pie, one coke, one beer ...$26

after long walk at sun, we find civilisation ... merchant square!! a air conditioned shops and restaurants!! it was nice to be back to civilization, had ice cream break and pick up good sandwich from smithville ham shop (they offer super size hand made sandwich and mac and cheese was good) back to governor mansion lawn, let the kids play colonial style and made some friends - people are nice in this part of country, don't mind little chat, take their time to let us know where is great place to visit and eat...i miss that, southern hospitality!!

had wonderful fire work - can't think of any better place to see fire work than here, real reason to celebrate our freedom

and time to walk back to car(good 15 min up hill and humidity)

July.5th.m: Busch Garden day!!

didn't know Busch garden is big on sesame street, had dine with Elmo - my opinion, this was best character dining ever, very organized and this was first park allowed kids to eat first before character show up, food was good $20 per adult kids under 3 free - hot dog, chicken nugget, bread, pasta... and Elmo cup cake!! Elmo do dance and show, plenty time of pictures and dance with kids - Elmo and friends do line dance!!

my kids go nut on this place!! - 24 hours are short in here

Busch garden self is huge and full of scary ride yet they did not forget little kids - we were worry about not enough for kids stuff but once again i was wrong, most kids friendly park ever i been including Disneyland - and 1st place that we do not need fold our stroller in the tram(best future ever!! you park and hop on the tram with kids full of stroller), very organized park but child swap wasn't great - one parent wait on the line while the other party wait in the exit with kids and swap...did not like it!!

Guess what happen? my older one ride this scary ride....she didn't know what she get in to, she saw bunch of kids/baby get out of this ride and said "i want to go, WANT TO GO!!" in a very 2 years old nagging so i let her...and after this ride she doesn't even go near any slide!! - according to their staff "if you can walk, you can go!!" don't believe it!! 4 and older please!!

July.6th. T : Virginia beach on 105 degree weather and 100% humidity!!

was hot, was very pretty and hot again!! - went there at 2pm (our day doesn't start till 11am - 9am CA time, eat breakfast at hotel room, put the cloths on the kids, deal with toddlers...)

but couldn't do much - sand was really hot - un touchable with bare feet and family bike rental(you know 4 wheeler, put the kids in the front kind..) was too hot (seat can burn our skin), price was good $25/hour - trust me, if it was in CA it will be $50/hour

so we decide to what we do best - time share tour!!90 minute on air conditioning and $75 visa card =)

after sun goes down we hit the beach - saw lots of baby fishes in the water and water was warm and comfortable

with $75 visa gift we went to Captain George seafood restaurant for dinner

love the place, $35/person again kids under 5 free - endless buffed line, lots of seafood - this place is well known seafood buffed, means 95% seafood on the buffed line - my husband and i love the food and very much enjoy the dinner!! highly recommend if you are in town(one in v.beach and one in williamsburg)

sometime on July.Wednesday : Yorktown

we passed this pretty road about 40 minute, i was in love with this colonial park way - lot of trees, water, and brick bridge... something we just can't see in CA

we end up really small and cute harbor town!! but this was where US had battle with British

and we saw this interesting looking "auto mobile", had to try before i ask price ($45/adult half price on each kids...) but i think it was worth to try - the lady in the picture is shop owner, Jill and she was very knowledgeable guide, very historical and she grow up here so she knew lots of stuff about town

this is actual canon ball - it is real site the canon hit but not a real canon stuff(man made) but you can see through the town - once again remind us this cute town was battle field

another cute house!! love the brick houses....

not a best picture of me but this is one and only both of us are in the same picture - had hard time standing like this...it was not easy to "drive" but once you got used to it easy peesy!!

york town harbor - do have bay cruse but didn't try $45 per person but not kids free!! half price on earier not on 6 pm one, full price on kids - so we sat on the harbor watching jellyfish

Yorktown have sand area and swimable beach with fresh water

Thur.:water country USA - huge water park, i mean huge!!

did not bring camera so no pictures!! but we were happy about their kiddie pool - have 3 kiddie pool with different theme, one with cow, animal, and UFO

very clean and again well organized park - can't bring floater but they do have nice one for free(only free stuff in this park)

had dinner @ ruby Tuesday - again something we don't have -love the salad bar and food, kind of like sizzler but fancier and better food

Fri: outlet mall

thank you god that gave me a good outlet mall that is not full of junk!!

williamsburg outlet mall is huge!! need good hour to just walk to each end - not stop at any store just walk...

good place to shop, have gymboree, kate spade, l.lbean, polo, crogs, coach, Hanna anderson, Bebe, juice etc.. and get this, sales tax in Virginia...only 5%

Sat:sadly time to go home!!

on the way out we stop at Jamestown but did not spend much time because starting to rain and didn't have enough time

this is where the boat came in, the 1st colonial place, similar to williamsburg colonial park but in front of water

few pictures from Sonic - i think you got the idea how i love the sonic =) their drink is truly the best!!

other dining:

polo club williamsburg- familly owend resturant and have really good food, lots of italian dish and american classic

chick fil-a : fast food resturant and had to try since we don't have in CA - good christain buisness mind resturant, resturant was very clean ( i mean very clean) people are nice - there was a maneger walk around and check each table(with bowtie)...this is not a fast food resturant, had good experience of this place - and there is a cow for picture!!

craker barell(i think this is how they spell) : chain southern food resturant and love their chinken dumpling - i miss that soooo much...and this place do not sell alchole drink, it is all about familly

home made mac and cheese is superb, country shop is worth to check out - i don't know every craker barell have store but one we went have big store and full of memory lane candy - got pop candy for girls and was fun to watch their face when rock pop in their mouth=)

chickahamony house : original southen food/clonial food - famouse for chicken dumpling and virginia ham sandwich, had great sweet tea and very very cute old house - i believe house is more than 100 years old, local hang out place also have cute shop inside and only open for breakfast and lunch(till 2:30pm) in my opinion this is must stop place in williams burg

some ramdom picture from road side: this place is bakery/dry cleaner...

every vacation must be end and everytime it happend make me sad but this place was really sad to leave...when ever i think about this place i have huge warm feeling in my heart - i think beacause of nice people

now i know what it means southern comfort...

i miss people being nice to one and other and southern food especially sweet tea and chicken dumpling...

some day we will be back, when girls understand history... untill than i have to make my own sweet tea=)

happy vacation!!

Happy 4th july!! (&some pic from philippines)

our never ending flight....take a nap, eat a meal, play with toy...and we were only half way - do not ever take Philippines airline, the armrest doesn't go up no more than half way, flight was over booked 4people in 3 seats...never again!!

this is last night @Bohol/tagbiralan island - we were there for 4 days out of all 7 day Philippines trip (pictures are not in time order...sorry) hotel make privet dinner @beach side

oh Philippines spa....it was pretty cheap to get spa service @ Philippines - @the island it was about$40 (@place looks like this) and in Manila $18/ per hour service at the hotel, if you go out to the mall $10/hour!!! oh, how i miss that...

Bohol Island tour - river cruse, the small dining boat take us to river and served Philippine food - most of them i couldn't touched, very strong flavor(and meat smell), and traditional dance "show"

can you believe this is men made forest?

chocolate hill - their soil color is brown(without trees you can see brown color really well) so it looks like giant kisses and people call chocolate hill

world's smallest monkey - tarsier!! size of rat but it is monkey family

can your butterfly do that? butterfly forest - this place was very educational for kids, all kind of butterflys and they do tricks like this...

some hotel (eskaya) pictures, after 1hour of bumpy ride and sleepy driver (not even kidding, he was half sleep, half wake...so scary) this is what we see - privet bungalow, and privet pool, and flower all over place...all worth the trip!!

view from the air!!

happy 4th july everyone!!

sorry for delay on my blog updating...had hard time adjusting CA time zone and before we know it is time to fly again!!

to the Williamsburg, VA!! we will be visit D.C and around area next week

(we have to be in airport by 7am ...that means i have to be up by 5:30 am and it is 1:46am...have a feeling it will be a long~~day with two kids)

happy 4th july and

happy vacation!!