Fresh Snow

I Woke up in the morning, looked out my window and I was like WOW...Everything is beautifully white. I love to see Dallas covered with white snow. I remember six years ago, it was snowing on Valentine's day and that was perfectly cozy for the day. This time the snow came a couple of days early but it was just so beautiful; I felt like I was in a different city. I took my camera and walked around taking photos. Usually Dallas does have some light snow during the winter, and the weather is very moody and sometimes drops to freezing temperatures. Dallas becomes a frozen town. Here are the photos of fresh snow that I captured yesterday.

On the road.

At the park.
At the small lake. Some Family photos.

My sweet mom.
My big girl.
My little girl.
Snow ball fight.
Here comes the cute puppies: Luna and Goldie.
Take it easy, puppies!
Luna and Goldie wanted a ride on the slide, too!
We built a snowgirl.
Here is the snowgirl! Her name is Peggy.
I arranged these flowers for you to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!! Full of love!! and have a joyful Valentine's weekend with family, friends and loved ones!
Oh, yes, and Happy Chinese New year too!!!
Kisses...Hanh;-)

ps: just add to my link a new blog Ponyarts.

Nikko, Japan

Nikko, Japan.

One time long ago in late winter, we visited a city called Nikko in Japan. It was cold and the city was covered with thick white snow...magically beautiful!..The city is located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, and approximately 140 km north of Tokyo. It is the third-largest city (by area) in Japan, and a popular destination for Japanese and international tourists. There are also many famous hot springs in the area. Elevations range from 200 to 2,000m. The mountains west of the main city are part of Nikko National Park where you can see some of the country's most spectacular waterfalls, such as Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, which also has scenic trails. The fastest and most convenient way to access Nikko is on the private Tobu Nikko Line from Tokyo's Tobu-Asakusa station.

Lake Chuzenji is a marvelously scenic lake in Nikko National Park, its elevation at the surface is (4,124 ft) 1,269 m. The view from our hotel room.
There are about 48 waterfalls around the Nikko area, and Kegon Falls is one of the three famous high waterfalls in Japan (97 meters high). It's located near lake Chuzenji and has long been a favorite place for young Japanese lovers-as well as for people committing suicide. But apart from that, the falls are frequented by tourist buses and has lots of souvenir shops outside. Because we visited Nikko in late winter, Kegon falls was partially frozen and covered with snow..It's truly beautiful. The photo doesn't do it justice.
This photo below is from google, I just wanted to show you the Kegon Falls without snow.
Misao Fujimura (1886-1903) wrote a suicide poem (click here for his poem) on a trunk of a tree in Kegon Falls. After finishing his death poem, he jumped. This place becomes an ill-famed spot for sorrowed and desperate young people, mostly to those who are brokenhearted.
The picture below is of a female God that was created after many deaths to protect people from committing suicide.
Just pretty snow in Nikko National Park.
There are many historical sites in Nikko that attracts tourists, including Futarasan-jinji Shrine, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Taiyu-in Shrine which dates to the year 767, and these are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Unlike most Japanese shrines, the buildings here are extremely ornate, with multicolored carvings and plenty of gold leaf that show heavy Chinese influence.

The Five-story Pagoda, Nikko Toshogu Shrine. It's the burial place of the dynasty founder Tokugawa Leyasu, and the most extravagant of them all.
Yomeimon Gate, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, is known as one of the most beautiful gates in Japan. It's decorated with detailed carving of mythical creatures.
At the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the Kairou buildings are decorated with colorful carving of flowers and birds. Taiyu-in Shrine is the mausoleum of Lemitsu-byo Taiyu-in, Tokugawa Leyasu's grandson.
Bell Tower at Taiyu-in Shrine.


Sweet-Look of Moschino.
I've have so many sweet memories about this dress; wearing it so many times for dates with my hubby when we just had our first child, the time that we were so new at parenting. Now, looking back, we are much more mature in this area ;-). Feeling like wearing this outfit last week. Marni fur vest.Also, my first owned Jimmy Choo shoes.

Casual-Look Of Forever 21
Wearing: Pierre Hardy shoes, Club Monaco tank, and my newest purchase from Forever 21: F21 jacket, scarves, leggings.
Thank you all for reading. Wishing everyone a wonderful day!!!

Hugs...Hanh ;-)

Up-date: Unfortunately, another earthquake has hit Haiti :-( just hope they can rebuild and get back on track. So please, everyone help and donate, click here. Again, wishing you a blessed day!

Winter Ski

Almost every winter break, we go to Beaver Creek, Colorado ( about 20 min. from Vail) for our family ski strip. Beaver Creek Mountain features a long ski season, lasting from November until April, and its summit elevation is about 11,440'/ 3,488m. We love to ski here because of the friendly environment for kids. It has amazing things set-up for kids; a Goldmine where kids can hunt for gold (fools gold), a Bear Cave where kids can see what it's like for bears (also fake bears) in hibernation, and a Jack Rabbit Run where kids can race through the trees. There are truly awesome things for the kids to do. They also have an excellent kids' ski school here.
The natural beauty of Beaver creek and the nearby villages of Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch provide many leisure options no matter what the season or weather. In the summer, they have hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, bike trails, a challenging golf course, and mountain camping for older kids. We would like to come here in summer sometime for these cool activities.

The view.

This winter, they have The Crystal Grotto. Guests can experience North America's only performing arts center created from ice and containing instruments carefully hand-crafted from ice. They sound pretty good like normal musical instruments. The Crystal grotto is at the unique ice theater located near Spruce Saddle Restaurant, almost near the top of Beaver Creek mountain.

Too bad, those pics taken at The Crystal Grotto are not clear! It was fun to watch and a great experience that I never had before.

The ice-balls are the drums.
The guitar and the cello

The Pipe Drums
The xylophone.
FAMILY RANDOM PHOTOS.

Time for fire and marshmallows.

To see if the marshmallows ready yummy for tummy
Sisters movie night in the hotel room and sharing popcorn is so sweet, so cozy!
I want these boots. Too bad, they are too small for me :-(
We were on the mountain, my hubby and kids discussed which run we're headed to.
My big girl skied through heavy snow.
It's me, in black and grey color ski suit.
Me, in white winter ski suit.
My little girl said " Good afternoon" to Jan, 1, 2010. She woke up at 2 o'clock in the afternoon because of staying up late for the countdown to the new year.
Looking through the door from the room. Snowing! Sisterhood is the sweetest thing!
MY OUTFITS.
Wearing: Marni coat, Pipit silver dress, Valentino belt, Vera Wang necklace, Ysl pumps for a fancy dinner at the Ritz.
Another outfit for a casual night out. wearing: Givenchy sweater, Vera Wang necklace, Club Monaco white tank, F21 leggings, Sam Elderman boots.

Thank you everyone for your new year wishes, your comments, and your support. I hope 2010 treats you well. Wishing you all a wonderful day!!!

Big hugs...Hanh ;-)