The Chois Online

Boys’ Wedding Speeches - 2005

Peter — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:46:27 +0000

So I was in Jay’s wedding party this past weekend and had to give a speech. It was my… third wedding speech… wait, fourth actually if you count my sister’s. While we were meeting up with freinds, etc., everyone kept talking about the speeches given by the guys at OUR wedding back in 2005. I finally got a chance to post them up on youtube, so here they are! Enjoy!

Holidays in LA… Again… 2009!

Peter — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:17:16 +0000

January is almost done, we’re finally settling in back home, and I’m just getting time to post about the past holidays! One month is definitely a long time to be away, but it was great quality time with the family! It’s also a different experience as Lana gets older and realizes more what’s going on.

This time she was playing with Aunty Jenny a lot more and getting comfortable with the family in general.

Even Uncle Sepehr was getting some action!

Lana had a great time opening her own gifts for once at aunty’s place.

Then it was off to the other family’s party. Grab bag was fun! People were stealing gifts left and right!

I think everyone got what they wanted…

We made some ginger bread people…

But most of them didn’t survive the carnage…

I got to meet a Storm Trooper… Best. Sweatshirt. Ever.

And Lana got to play with her cousins!

Even the newest addition, Ronin!

Then it was time so slip into jammies and wait for Santa to come. Merry Christmas everyone and see you next year (maybe)!

Happy First “Real” Halloween Lana!

Peter — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:22:38 +0000

Technically this is Lana’s second Halloween, but I was away on a work trip last year and Lana was too young to be aware of what was going on, so this year was Lana’s first “real” Halloween!

We kicked things off early with lunch at Red Robin about a week before Halloween. The mall was having a special “Boo Bash” day for the kids. This was Lana’s first piece of candy she couldn’t eat.

There were booths and events by Radio Disney. We just missed the costume contest! It was a cold and windy day but Lana’s pumpkin shield kept her warm! All of the stores along the “Village” area were giving away candy to trick-or-treaters.

“I think I’m in the wrong store…”

After that we decided to walk around the indoor mall. Lana had a blast window shopping!

Some day, little pumpkin, some day…

On Halloween day we dressed Lana up as a Chinese doll. She was finally able to fit her Chinese dress!

We headed over to the Nakasatos’ place for dinner and trick-or-treating. We brought Lana’s pumpkin suit, and Kate was going to dress as something else, but when she saw Lana in her Chinese dress she remembered she had one too and wanted to match up!

This was Lana’s first real Trick-or-Treat! Good thing she got a treat! A treat she wouldn’t be able to eat. Oh well, maybe next year Lana.

We expected Lana to get tired after a couple of blocks, but she kept going and going and going all night! Maybe we should have dressed her up as the Energizer bunny!

Lana eventually started getting the hang of it and started raising her basket up on her own. Sometimes more than once! Way to go cutie pie, just like we practiced. More candy for Mommy and Daddy!!!

One of the houses had the biggest pumpkin I’ve ever seen in person. This thing was about 3 feet tall and looked like it was having a bad day!

What a great first Halloween! And thanks to Kate for taking care of Lana all night; Lana didn’t want to leave Kate’s side! Now it’s time to eat all of Lana’s candy!!!

Welcome Winter 2009

Peter — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:57:27 +0000

It’s been snowing non-stop since last night and is scheduled to continue through most of tomorrow. That’s over a foot of snow and counting, supposedly another foot overnight. I guess winter is starting early! On the bright side, it’s supposed to hit 60 on Sunday!

Lana was intrigued by the snow. Can’t wait till it stops falling so that we can go out and play in it!

Great October Weekend in CO!

Peter — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:17:02 +0000

The month started off with a chill. There was even snow! But the sun came back to play and we had a summer-like weekend here in CO!

We started off Saturday with a hay ride at the pumpkin patch (after having lunch at KT’s BBQ… mmm mmm good!)

Lana got a kick (literally) on the bumpy ride!

The field was littered with scarecrows, all different kinds. Momma pumpkin and her pumkin spawn were watching us…

That didn’t distract Lana from finding the perfect (imperfect) pumkin!

They even had little pumpkins just her size…

Then for dinner we met up with the Hawaii crew at Bagali’s near Flatiron Crossing. They had a whole roast pig, Hawaiian music, and dancers! It was beautiful (the pig… I mean, look at that)!

Being the “ham” that I am, I had to join in on the hula hoop contest. (The little girl won, but I’m not bitter…)

We had a good mix of people from different islands… Big Island, Maui, Kauai, Oahu… It was great hanging out with everyone!

The next day we decided to go to the park. The weather was PERFECT! Lana had a great time running around on the jungle gym…

…riding the swing…

…and meeting the boys… (What are your intentions with my daughter, son?)

The pond has fish for throw-back fishing and ducks and geese for… population control?

Lana loves the water!

But the greatest discovery of all… a new Taco stand!!! With authentic Mexican tacos!!!

What a perfect weekend! It was great to have one last “summer” weekend this late in the season. I have a feeling next weekend will be just a tad more chilly…

Louisville, CO: Best Place to Live… again!

Peter — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:47:31 +0000

Another year, another placement in CNN Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list, and this time our little town of Louisville, CO is… Number One!

Here’s a link to the article: Number 1 in 2009

Jay mentioned it to me on the phone the other day before I got a chance to read about it in my copy… it’s not like I go looking for these things.

This, after being placed number 3 in 2007 and number 5 in 2005:

Number 3 in 2007

Number 5 in 2005

I know what you’re thinking… “So what?” You know what, I’m right there with you. I don’t place too much importance on these artificial lists. In fact, I always think to myself: “Best places for WHO?” I still miss the BEACH!

But you know what… it’s still kinda neat, huh? Neat enough for me to scan my copy of the magazine cover, neat enough for me to edit the picture to circle the place where it says Louisville on the cover and put that big white arrow, and neat enough for me to take the time to write up this blog post about it.

So for those of our family and friends who worry about how we’re doing WAAAAY out here on the other side of the Rockies, hopefully this will put your heart at ease knowing that we’re not really in a bad place at all…

Happy 4th 2009!

Peter — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:45:12 +0000

We live a few blocks away from the golf course and every year they put on a fireworks show, so we walk on over to the nearby park and watch the show from literally a few hundred feet from where they launch. It’s definitely a neat experience, except your neck gets a little kinked… but it’s worth it! Happy 4th!

Mother’s and Father’s Day 2009

Peter — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:41:15 +0000

What a great year to be a parent! It’s really a different game when you’re able to talk to and chase around your little girl!

What a beautiful mommy and little girl!

This year after lunch at the Yard House (excellent pupus, even POKE!) we went to the Butterfly Pavilion for Mother’s Day. It was our first time there and Lana had a great time!

They have an indoor tropical rainforest that is open year round where they let loose butterflies for up-close encounters. It felt like walking around in Hawaii!

I was able to catch this guy up close and personal.

Lana had her own up close and personal encounter too!

On Father’s Day we decided to go to the Denver zoo. What a big, clean, and nice place! Definitely nothing I’ve experienced before!

There was an elephant show and all kinds of animals with indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

Even the food was great! We ate at one of the picnic areas and had a kobe steak burger and a world famous Nathan’s hot dog. We were REALLY lucky to find a table with shade as it was really crowded that day! And the best part… no lingering odor to detract from the experience…

Lana got a kick out of the Orangutan. That was a BIG BIG boy!

After a full day of running around the zoo it was definitely nap time. Our concierge made sure Lana was well taken care of. See you soon!

Happy Belated 1 Year Lana! Lana’s first trip to Hawaii!

Peter — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:04:05 +0000

So two months after getting back, I finally have a few minutes to sit and write this. Work has been killing me! Of course a lot has changed since Lana turned 1, but here are some highlights from our trips to LA and Hawaii:

Rented a ballroom in LA for a family get together

Celebrated with some traditional Korean mochi, along with cake

Lana went crazy over her new Little Mermaid push cart!

Then off to Hawaii! We saw this sign at LAX. Hmm…

Got to have my favorite: Choi’s Meat Juhn. Mmmmmmm…

Oh yeah, and these guys were there too!

Did some touristy things here and there…

You know, the aquarium was a lot smaller than I remembered… but still fun!

I’ve driven by the Byodo-In temple in Temple Valley many times, but this was my first time actually visiting

Got to go to Darren’s wedding… Congrats again!

Got to hang out with the old gang at Donn’s place…

…which, by the way, was pretty darn nice!

The whole time, we got to stay at “Casa de Erik” - It had ALL the amenities!

Lana got to meet “the kid crew”

And of course we celebrated Lana’s birthday!

More than once!

Poor Lana was pooped!

But was ready for the ride home!

Thanks everyone for the food, the fun, the company, the love! Till next time!

Happy (belated) 9 Months Lana!

Peter — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:34:32 +0000

Well, Lana hit 9 months on January 15th, although i missed it because I was working in beautiful Columbus, OH for 2 weeks. Due to a freak cold front it was below zero for a few days and hardly went above freezing! You know it’s cold when your nose hairs freeze instantly when exiting a building. I had to wear thermal underwear for the first time in my life! At least Lana still remembered me when I got back!

Milestones reached:

Pulls herself up and stands
Coasts along furniture (or anything nearby)
Says mama, dada, up
Shakes her head “No” when she doesn’t like something
Waves her hand “Hi” and “Bye”
Points to things she wants
Crawls!!!! Finally!!! (not well yet)
Feeds herself with her hands (cheerios, etc.)
Eats pretty much whatever we give her, solid foods, etc.
Drinks water on her own from a sippy cup
Claps her hands when she’s happy or accomplishes something
Dances to the beat of the rhythm of the night (any music)
In general manipulates things very well with her hands and fingers
Understands “kiss kiss” and gives big juicy ones!
Gets away with whatever she wants to with daddy!

Oh yeah, did I mention she has two bottom teeth? She got those a few months ago and they’re the cutest thing when she smiles! Next stop, 1 year!