ANNIVERSARY OF A DOZEN YEARS

Yep! You read that right! We celebrated our 12th year wedding anniversary in October, this year. Oh yes ... we've been married for more than 12 years but we have been together for more than 17 years. Seems sooo long doesn't it? It also makes me seem VERY old ... haha! Yeah, I I know I'm no spring chicken but the fact that I've been with my boyfriend (now Hubby) for nearly half of my lifetime ... makes me feel kinda old. And yet it also makes me feel loved, needed, wanted, appreciated ... well, kinda!

As per our usual style, no gifts, special outings nor dinner was in order. Nope, we celebrate it our own way ... spending it like any other day, rather cheaply (hehe). It was decided the eve before our anniversary that we were having a family gathering ... in public no less (I couldn't recall whose idea it was ... probably my mum's). Thus, there we were ... in the early morning of Sunday ... in front of the majestic Sultan Mosque. No, we weren't there to pray .... but to enjoy the yummylicious food, across this place of worship - at the legendary Zam Zam Restaurant. This time round, my brother & his family joined us for the meal. The lunch was especially delicious coz it was F.O.C (kindly paid for, by my generous mum). All in all, the meal cost slightly more than 50 bucks, which was quite a deal, as if fed 13 of us, hungry fellas.

Here's Ryan & Ayra. We managed to get corner seats on the upper level, which are Ryan's favourite coz he can view the road - with all the buses, cars, etc.

Ayra, hiding behind Ryan?
Not playing hide & seek anymore.

My mum, with her trusty mineral water bottle.

Ryan decides to squint his eyes, whilst Ayra gives me a smile!

My Dad, busy ... on his handphone. We were all sitting around waiting for my bro & family to arrive ... so I snapped some pics to while away the time ... hehe!

Ayra having a sip of her favourite drink (coincidentally, also mine) - Season's Ice Lemon Tea ... whilst Ryan looks on his grandparents, on the other side of the room.

Aah! They finally arrived ... so now we can eat, ya?

Everyone's waiting eagerly for the food to arrive - Mee Goreng, Beef Beryani (dunno why the beef was rather tough that day ... undercooked?), Chicken Murtabak, Plain Rice with some chosen dishes plus Egg Prata, drinks & not forgetting, their Power Teh Tarik.
 

Hubby took a photo of the three of us. Yes, I'm in the photo ... coz it seemed only natural to get at least some photos of myself on my 12th anniversary, ya? Oh by the way, isn't black slimming??? Yes, I definitely think so .... haha!

... and since black is rather slimming, why not take more photos of the rather photography-shy lady, all dressed in black ....?

We adjourned to Marina Square & stopped by the water feature (one of Ryan's fav).

Ryan : That's water, Nenek!

Nenek : Yah ... I know what water looks like lah!

The kids liked it there.

On the upper level, there's a mini indoor playground, where the kids had some fun. Here's Ayra coming down the slide.

Ryan takes on the slide too.

Ryan stops awhile ... for Mummy to take a pic.

Ayra having a fun time hanging down the pole.

Shauqi, my nephew ... going for it!

Weee!

In mid-air?

Ayra & my nephew, Sahmi ... sitting on a ride.

Of course Ryan had to have a ride too ... duh!

Ryan wanted to maneuver the ride by himself, nope ... he didn't need help from his Daddy.

Catch me if you can!

One last round!

Well, that was how we spent our 12th wedding anniversary. And eventhough it wasn't filled with gifts or expensive meals, it was spent with the people that we love & love us in return. It was fun!

Happy Anniversary to my darling Hubby, Steven! Thank you for the past 12 loving years. Though we have our ups & downs, eventhough life can be very trying at times, eventhough we have to face a million obstacles, eventhough we never have enough money to spend ... I treasure every moment with you! Now with our mischievous munchkin with us, we have to work even harder to create a better for future for our family. I love you, now & always!

A GREEN RIDE IN JB

Sometimes my parents (mostly just my Dad) join us, on our (at least, once a month) grocery trip into Johor Bahru. No, no ... not so much to buy groceries themselves (coz we can do that for them, easily) ... but mostly just for the simple outing instead. They are always welcome to join us ... as long as they don't mind the numb-ing of their bums ... whilst waiting to pass through (both) the checkpoints, hehe!

I took these, whilst my boy was on his (usual) rides in JB. My Dad tried to amuse his grandson, as Ryan was busy going round & round aimlessly. These rides are so much cheaper in Malaysia, so I try to indulge him whenever we are in JB, rather than back home.

He tends to (always) chose the same ride, at the same venue ... he's (always) never tempted to change his fav "vehicle" ... unless its already taken by another rider. Most times, he ends up choosing a scooter or bike rides, seldom cars or jeeps, etc. Hhhmm ... I do wonder why? Well, maybe its just Ryan's preference, that's all .. nothing more.

Is that Hubby's finger I see?

Grandpa ... amusing his grandkid.

My Dad ... trying to make Ryan come to him.

Ryan, making the most of his short ride ... by going further ... away.

OH! ITS ANOTHER FAMILY BIRTHDAY

P.S : This is a back-dated post, early October 2009.

Its time once again ... for another good makan session with the family. This time its my brother's youngest son, Sahmi, who turns 4 this year. As usual, we had cake, delicious home cooked food, drinks & other goodies. My never-tiring & dedicated mum, always finds the time to cook her extremely yummy dishes, at most of our family home-gatherings. The kids were out in full force, playing & joking around ... as usual.

A good round-up of the kids in the family. The eldest grandchild, Syakir wasn't in attendance, so there were only 6 of them here.

Can you see the birthday boy, beside the presents (hands cupped). I bet he couldn't wait to open them all up ... haha!

Yeah! It's presents time!

Ryan, posing with his Kaka Ayra & Abang Fuddin.

Leaning on Daddy, for some extra support.

Hey, where did Papa go to??

Well, I'll jump around then ...

My two nephews riding around.

Its cake time! I see some wishes being hoped on ...

Hey! that's not the birthday boy cutting the cake!

Birthday boy, Sahmi (in red & white stripes), smiling gleefully as he's about to blow on his Tom & Jerry cake.

See the kaypoh little boy named Ryan (held by his Daddy) ... who seem to think that its his birthday cake to blow ... haha!

Making a silent wish ... maybe?

Finally, its time to cut the cake! Errm ... why was there a hand sticking out?

Little Ms Ayra, joins the birthday boy for a photo op.

This is how you cut a cake ... ok?

After a long & tiring day ... of endless playing, Ryan sees it fit to put his weary little head ... on the lap of his elder cousin, Syafiq ... whilst holding a football, no less ... is that cute or what?