Cleveland - Part 2

DEC 27 2013

Day two in Cleveland was pretty much laid back. We didn't really have anything planned and I think it was nice and relaxing. 

Reading time with Grammy.

Petting Pooter, Daniel's sister's pet rat.

Bree and Sarah were having fun playing with each other.

Getting ready for a walk to a park nearby.

The front view of our rented house.

It was a perfect day for a stroll, a little bit chilly but nothing that would make us miserable.

Daniel and his little sister, Katherine.

One of the neighborhoods we passed by.

We got to this park.

It overlooks Lake Erie and has a great view of downtown Cleveland.

The kids were way ahead of us. Those little people in the picture were them.

Sarah was trying to keep up with the rest of us.

Until she decided that it was time for daddy to pick her up and take her to the playground.

Meanwhile I went for a bit of hiking to the beach to get the kids.

And came to this view.

He looks so grown up here.

He is too.

Spotted these cute duck footprints on the snow.

Farhan and Carly.

Emir and Carly.

Mom, Katherine and Ezzat on the way back to the park.

Last view.

Back on the short trail to the park.

Closer view of downtown Cleveland.

Carly's attempt to climb this giant tree.

She must had been so tired that she fell asleep when we started walking home.

In a few years they are all going to be in their teens. I'm not sure I am ready for that.

At one of the stoplights, some people in the cars that stopped were laughing and smiling at how Sarah slept. She was totally out.

I went out with Daniel's mom and his two sisters to the West Side Market in downtown Cleveland that afternoon while Daniel stayed at home with all the kids.

The West Side Market, with its 137 foot clock has stood as Cleveland landmark for nearly a century. The construction of the current building was finished in 1912 but the market itself began operating in 1840.

View of the market from the parking lot.

The fruit and vegetable arcade.

The interior of the market.

We stopped at this bakery. I love dessert!

Mom got us some cannolis!

View of the market from the balcony. Food Network Magazine named the market America's Best Food Lovers.

Katherine, Elizabeth and me.

Skyline view of downtown Cleveland from Lorain-Carnegie Bridge.

Cleveland - Part 1

DEC 26 2013

We went to Cleveland a day after Christmas to meet Daniel's mom and his sisters. It was sort of like a family reunion. Living far away from our family means we do not get to see each other often enough, be it our family in Malaysia or the ones in the States. So whenever we have these opportunities, we really look forward to them. 

Passing by Chicago

Frozen lake.

Peekaboo!

The house we rented for a few days. We were the first ones to arrive. After settling  in, we ordered some pizza and just hung out while waiting for the others to arrive.

The kitchen. It's small but functional.

Our bedroom.

The boys are wearing their "bubba teeth" from Grammy. 

More snow!

JAN 2 2014

Happy New Year!

JAN 01 2014

Woke up to see this little guy outside the window. We have lots of squirrel here running around everywhere. It's always fun to see them. 

 We got tons of snow since new year's eve. This is the view from the front door.

These icicles keep growing.

Our neighborhood.

Farhan offered to do the shoveling.

She wanted to go out too.

And so she did.

She was busy scooping ice inside the sled and didn't seem to mind the cold.

It was a bit of a struggle to get her inside the house. I think she really 

enjoyed being outside with all the snow. 

The boys didn't come inside until hours later.

Saw this poor freezing bird from the window.

These two last pictures were taken around 11 pm. The night sky was so bright.

My mind is here...

One of the places we visited when we went back to Malaysia. I stumbled upon this blog -  http://www.beyondkimchee.com/malaysia-truly-asia/ 

while searching for some information about Cameron Highlands.  Despite the heat and ferocious mosquitoes, I am feeling homesick.