Carrie – Page 14 – thosecoolkims

Birthday in Vegas!

For my birthday this year, we bucked our Palm Springs tradition and headed to Vegas. We found a groupon we just couldn’t refuse and decided to jump on it. We stayed downtown a few years ago, and loved the old-school vibe, so we were looking forward to going back. Admittedly, this post makes it sound like we did nothing but eat, but what can we say — there’s a lot happening with food in Vegas!

As we drove into town, we headed straight for eat., which is a new breakfast and lunch joint in downtown Las Vegas. It’s a low key place with a super cool vibe, and features fresh, seasonal comfort food. I had the most delicious asparagus + arugula salad, while Ed had an incredible shrimp and grits dish.

After lunch we got settled in to our room at the Golden Nugget, and cruised around Fremont Street awhile. Then we headed out towards The Strip to fulfill a longtime dream of mine: We saw an Elvis impersonator live in Las Vegas! We went to Trent Carlini’s “The King” at the Las Vegas Hotel. I wish I could say the show was better, but at least now I can say I’ve been. The King did oblige me with a pic after the show, but too bad we were in Vegas about a week too early – we could’ve seen CeeLo Green in Loberace, a Liberace tribute show. Dang!

After The King it was late night dinner time! We were headed to José Andrés’ place, China Poblano at The Cosmopolitan. WHOA. The Cosmopolitan is absolutely amazing. A super hip vibe, great design throughout and so much style in everything there! It feels young and expensive all at the same time. We were in awe. China Poblano was an amazing marriage of Mexican + Chinese food. At one point during the meal, I had a lobster taco and a steamed BBQ Pork bun on my plate at the same time. It was so good!

Also in the Cosmopolitan was an amazing Chandelier Bar (click this link for pics that do it much better justice than any of my dumb pics) and Holstein’s where the menu looked super fun — Korean BBQ Hot Dog and Boozy S’mores milkshake, anyone?

The next day, after enjoying a morning where we could actually sleep in, we decided to explore and find a few places in Vegas outside of the usual tourist stuff. We got a great recommendation for a good coffee shop downtown called The Beat Coffeehouse. The vibe is very Seattle – music, vinyl, strong coffee and low-brow art galleries. We dug it and enjoyed the coffee ’cause we’re not afraid to admit we’re too old for morning booze. We skipped the buffet to save room for lunch!

We played a few slots at The D’s “Vintage Vegas” slot room, where you can actually pull the lever on the slot machines and real money spits out (instead of vouchers)! After working up an appetite, we left Downtown and The Strip for Vegas’ Chinatown and enjoyed some super tasty ramen. They say there’s a ramen revolution happening in Vegas, and it’s legit! His + Hers ramen bowls at Monta Ramen:

Also on our food tour of Vegas, we had dinner at Gordon Ramsay’s BURGR on the Strip at Planet Hollywood. Gordon doesn’t mess around — Ed says his burger was one of the top 5 burgers he’s ever had. I can’t argue, mine was incredible as well. Bonus points for his ridiculous mug on the inside of each menu:

After being extremely full, we headed back to our downtown home base for some real fun. I never tire of all the old school glitz of the neon signage downtown. It’s gorgeous.

Things got epic when we spent some time late night at the El Cortez — seriously old school, somewhat seedy and SUPER cheap! Ed and I even played the Blackjack tables and won, thanks to a very friendly and patient Ukranian dealer named Elena and Ed’s former co-worker Jim, who happened to be in Vegas too and met up with us. We hung at the El Cortez until after 2am, and then ended up at The D for an AUTHENTIC American Coney, a real piece of Detroit in Las Vegas! (Don’t worry, we haven’t turned, we still love Lafayette more than American!)

Last stop before heading out was Beijing No. 9 – a stunningly beautiful noodle house in Caesar’s Palace. I’m a sucker for the white + red!

We had a great time, but we sure were ready to get home to our little Bean. It’s always fun to have time together, but we sure missed that little daughter of ours!

Ruby’s 2nd Annual Valentine Party

Ruby hosted her 2nd Valentine Party this year, and it was super cute and super fun — but there is a HUGE difference between having nine 2-year olds at your house vs. 1-year olds like last year!

I didn’t go as crazy as last year, but I still managed to whip up a few mini-cupcakes and some snacks, and we had a little craft station set up outside to make Valentine picture frames for the dads. The kids ~~kept stealing toys from each other~~ played, the moms ~~broke up fights~~ got some chatting in, and Charlotte even managed to model her picture frame for us!

The best part was the Valentine card exchange! I just couldn’t envision anything cuter than these kids passing out little cards like I used to when I was in school. All the moms were into it — some got crafty and made their own beautiful cards, while some moms went old school and bought the kind in the box just like our moms used to do! We even got lucky and got them all to sit for two seconds before passing them out.

I can’t help but love the day of love, and I especially love seeing all these kiddos and their mommas feeling the love as well!

Rubyisms

This kid is growing.

And changing.

SO. FAST.

And sometimes, it’s just so hard to keep up. She’s been blowing our minds lately with some of the things she says and does. She’s so funny. And so smart. Here are some of the latest Rubyisms:

“Mom, look. I put booger on you sweater.”

“Mom, you play Sesame Street wif me. It’s good for you.”

“Hi. I Dr. Ruby Kim. I listen to the heart now?”

Dinnertime, mid-tantrum:
Ed: Ruby, you can sit here and finish your dinner with us, or you can go to your room.
Ruby: THOSE ARE NOT GOOD CHOICES, DAD!!!!!!

After explaining to her that Ed is Korean, and I am Caucasian (and she is both):

“Daddy is Kahweeean. Mommy is Cockcajun.”

Singing sweetly to herself:

“A,B,C,D,E,F,G. Q,R,S,T,U,V … W,KISS,Y,N,Z!
Now I know my A-B-C, next time won’t you sing wif me?”

Holding her baby doll, and talking to her other giant stuffed toy:

“Look, Muno. This is my baby sister.”

FAVORITES AS OF LATE
Music. Can’t get enough lately. The request of, “Mom, can I have a song?” is multiple times daily, while we eat breakfast or lunch or when we’re in the car. And of course, no matter what volume it’s at, she asks “How about loud?” Her favorite bands are Django Django, Sonny and the Sunsets, Jack White and Cat Power. Fortunately for us, she still rejects most pop music.
TV. She is slowing down on the Yo Gabba Gabba, but is becoming more and more obsessed with PBS Kids’ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Foods. She has been digging green beans lately (to our delight), and she likes Beef with Broccoli. Well, she makes us take the meat out. “No meat! I don’t want meat!” She is also a huge fan of “strawbubbies”, “bluebubbies” and pears. And, so far, she’s never met a frozen yogurt she didn’t like. Look out if you plan on sharing with her, she’ll bogart the entire thing!
Play: She loves to pretend to talk on the phone. She loves playing “Dr. Ruby”. She lays her blankets out on the floor, lays her babies down, and takes their temperatures, listens to their hearts and gives them “medicine”. She also adores Winnie the Pooh and Piglet (pronounced, “Piguhlet” in Ruby speak). She kinda loves anything Disney as a matter of fact. She especially loves Lightening McQueen and Mater from the movie Cars, and she loves Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy. She can name just about any character, thanks to all the Disney stuff at Grandma and Papaw’s :)
Activities: She loves going to Miss Suzi’s music class and she likes her swim teacher, Harrison.

I’m sure I’ll think of more, but I just don’t wanna forget this stuff. Everything is so new to her, and so exciting. I just can’t believe how much she’s changing …

Two Year Photo Shoot

Right before Christmas, we were so lucky to have the opportunity to do a photo shoot with the VERY talented Michelle of Monarch Lane Photography. Michelle suggested we head up to Pacific Palisades to take some pics of Ruby, and what a magical spot it turned out to be! We’re so in love with these photos. Please enjoy and look at more in our photo album (It’s so hard to pick favorites!).

Thank you SO much, Michelle for capturing such gorgeous shots of our two year old!

Christmas 2012 Highlights

As usual, it was a big year for Christmas in the Kim household. We love Christmas, and now that Ruby’s two years old (!) she is really starting to get into the spirit.

One thing Ruby wasn’t so into? Santa Claus. :(

(See past Santa visits here)

On the other hand, we’ve got a full-blown Frosty the Snowman obsession going on over here.

This was the last year that Christmas Eve services would be held at the Crystal Cathedral. We’ve been going to Christmas Eve services there since I was three years old, so this was a big deal for my family. I’ve missed the past 7 or so since I’ve been married (instead, we’ve shared lovely Christmas Eves with Ed’s family), and this was the 1st time we got to take Ruby. She was very excited to take it all in, sitting in her very own seat next to her cousins.

Then it was back to our house to host Christmas Eve dinner! No dishwasher this year, so it was paper plates and recyclables for all!

Fun times with Grand Uncle Luke

Ruby got very spoiled by her Halmoni, Grand-aunt Grace, Grand-uncle Luke and “Great Uncle” Wonil. Grace and Luke even got Ruby a special new hanbok made custom for her!