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!

HARI RAYA CELEBRATIONS 2009

Well, it was an extremely tiring day ... as usual, but I hoped everyone in the family enjoyed themselves. As from the many pictures (that I have managed to take this year), you can see the happy family that we have. Though our family is far from perfect, we never fail to have a good time & we always revel in the closeness. Hope we can stay close, for many years to come!

By this time also, I was rather sick but I had to suck it in & forced myself to enjoy the day, as I don't wanna spoil the day for anyone, especially for my son, Ryan. I must have contracted the stomach flu from Ryan & though I'm extremely glad that my son had recovered (except for a lingering cough), I felt like a sick chicken. I wasn't really up for the celebrations but I knew ... the day had to go on. Oh well! I wasn't gonna die that day ... so might as well enjoy it, haha!

We were all in red this year (well variations of red, I guess). I started the day with shots of my munchkin, on the bed. He was raring to go! Though he does not really understand the significance of Hari Raya, he knew something was going on when I dressed him in the red shiny outfit. He kept smiling & even said "nice" ... but soon after he realised that the outfit made him perspire, he kept muttering "change Bumbee" - he wanted to get out of his baju kurung outfit & into his Bumble Bee T-shirt that was hanging nearby. I told him - no, no Bumbee today, tomorrow ok? He didn't look pleased at all! Well, what can you do ... I know most kids can't stand wearing the baju kurungs because its long sleeved & pants combo, together with the usually thick material made the outfit a "torture" to wear for most t-shirt & bermudas wearing teenagers. But its been a tradition to wear the bajus during Hari Raya & that's not about to change anytime soon.

I personally don't fancy wearing the baju but I wear it - once a year, just to celebrate the happy occasion of Hari Raya. Yep, I'm not your usual baju kurung clad Malay gal, who relishes wearing the traditional dress of the Malays. I'm more of the T-shirt & pants variety, if you may. Well, I recently found out that my Hubby actually likes to see me wearing the traditional baju kurung (??!) ... Errm ... who is this man & where did he come from ??! After close to 2 decades with him, I only found this out a few months ago. Hhmm ... must be a new development, I guess. Well, Hubby must be in "purgatory" then coz I only wear the baju kurung about once a year ... haha! Maybe I should wear it more often ... now! Well, we'll see ....

My boy smiling away!

Father & son (plus Starscream, in little one's hand)

Errm ... don't know why I took this pic so lop-sided.

Ah! This one's better!

Mother & son (yes! still with Starscream in tow)

Now at my younger sis place, waiting for the whole gang to arrive. Surprisingly, we were very early this year but it was intentional (as we were always the last to arrive the past 2 years).

They look so adorable together!

Ryan looking cute! Notice Hubby's feet in the foreground.

Hubby getting ready to catch the ball thrown by Ryan.

Here's Ryan, getting ready to throw the ball!

Papa ... there's something in my mouth!

Being cheeky as usual.

Playing with the digicam cover .. again!

See Ryan's hair ... blown by the fan ... or was it the wind?

Errmm ... Mama, I'm sooo bored! Can we go home now?

Papa ... let's play over there!

The gang finally arrived!

The kiddies hanging around.

Hubby ... standing tall!

My brother's family having a go at my mom's delicious cooking, while the chef herself (dearest mum) looks on with pride ... urging everyone to eat more, eat more!

My dad ... in the kitchen.

Ryan playing with his cousins, whilst Hubby looks out for them.

My boy, posing for me.

I'm here Mama!

Ryan, showing his cousin, Shauqi, his favourite - Starscream.

Ayra ... looks bored here. She has the straw plastic cover in her mouth.

Still enjoying the food.

A good pic of my two boys together.

My "hero" nephew, Shafiq ... sitting for his PSLE exams this year. I hope he does well in his exams. Hubby & me promised him a reward if he manages 4 A's ... yes yes I know ... its a lot to ask of any kid. But we can hope & dream, can't we ... as we all want our kids to do well in their studies. This is no exception!

My parents ... I don't know why mum looked so glum in most of this year's photos ... hhmmm, maybe she's just tired ... I hope thats all it was.

Everyone sitting around.

My brother & his lovely wife. My SIL is a hardworking, tireless mum who takes care of her 4 boys ... with lots of patience & love. Sometimes I wonder where she gets her strength & energy ... Me? I get tired taking care of just 1 kid!

Finally, a family potrait!

A close-up of the three of us!

My cuddly nephew Fuddin, sitting around.

Some of the boys in the family.

More boys ...

Fuddin, wrestling with the giant Barney.

Me & my mum (at least mum is smiling here).

Ooh! The two red lovers!

Me & my adorable niece, Ayra (Don't I look gigantic compared to her ... haha!)

My brother & family.

This was supposed to be a pic of only the adult ladies in the family. But ... as usual, my munchkin & my niece, Ayra ... had to have a go at the photo too ... oh well, why not?

Grandma with Ayra & Ryan.

Ayra with Ryan. They had a similar pose last year ... haha!

Ryan, trying to look dainty?

My parents, with their grandson, the huggable Fuddin.

Uncle Asni, has a photo op with his mum & nephew (whilst Grandpa is in the background).

Hubby got a photo of Ryan, giving me a hug ... awww!

Papa ... you have teeth!

Ryan, sitting on his Papa's lap. My uncle is in the background.

Walking to my aunt's place.

They look so cute together. Whenever we bring Ayra with us on our outings, a lot of strangers mistaken Ayra & Ryan as siblings. I guess I do see the similarities ... although they are only cousins.

Two best friends ... walking on Hari Raya!