Category Archives: Joseph & Paul

by JiaYing

Dim sum in Old Pasadena

Was not expecting to find seriously legit dim sum in Old Pasadena! It made sense once I realized Chef Tony Pasadena is the same Chef Tony in B.C.

Old Pasadena used to be run-down, but they fixed it up nice. Now the neighborhood is filled with restaurants and shopping. (Sadly, we did not have time to stop at the Tiffany's or Maserati dealership. 😂) Check out the diagonal crosswalks!

My Pasadena guide is on Seattle's Child here.

by JiaYing

Family-friendly Pasadena

Cougar fans have one last shot for the foreseeable future to cheer on their team at the Rose Bowl, when WSU plays UCLA on Oct. 7. (RIP, Pac-12.) We went to scope out family-friendly Pasadena ahead of the game.

Some snaps from sunny Pasadena here, and a link to my story for Seattle's Child.

Pasadena in one picture: palm trees, red clay tile roofs, the San Gabriel mountains.
SoCal from the sky.
Those trees! They look like lollipops, or something out of Dr. Seuss.
The original Trader Joe's, established Aug. 25, 1967.
Love the tiles.
The cutest stickers at the USC Pacific Asia Museum!
This seems like a weird thing to say, but the sky felt so big. Like it just went on forever. Ten minutes from downtown LA, completely different world.
The mansion at the top of the mountain belongs to the founder of eHarmony.
Even the freeways.
Colorado Boulevard is Route 66.
Vroman's Bookstore, the oldest and largest indie bookstore in SoCal.
Kidspace Children's Museum
Parkway Grill
USC Pacific Asia Museum
by JiaYing

Seabrook’s $20M expansion

Seabrook underwent a $20 million expansion and debuted a new grocery store, outdoor pool, fitness center (complete with a Peloton!) and arcade this summer.

Link to my story on ParentMap here.

PINCH ME. Our over-the-top house had:

An elevator!!!!

An incredible view of the ocean

5 bathrooms (for the three of us)

3 fireplaces

5 TVs

2 balconies

A two-car garage (first time EVER parking our car inside)

We were thoroughly spoiled. *Though I would not want this to be our actual house. Who wants to clean five bathrooms?!

by JiaYing

Visiting the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

Since we were going to Issaquah to see the latest Dambo troll, we stopped at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery half a mile away. A dozen years exploring the PNW with kids, and this one was a first for us! It was nice! Lots of fishy action, some interactive educational displays, space to run around. 10/10 recommend.

It's easy to spot the salmon in the creek.
Issaquah is really beautiful. Those mountains!
The salmon's journey isn't easy. They have to hatch from eggs, swim out the Ballard Locks, into Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. Hang out for 2-3 years, and then make their way BACK. And not get lost, eaten or die along the way. The odds aren't good.
Just the survival rate of the eggs is pretty tough. The eggs could get eaten by ducks, trampled by dogs, whatever. Paul found a way to game the system and get most of his eggs to survive.
See that?
* Not my kids.
Cool salmon mosaic.
Fish ladder viewing area
There are warning signs around this salmon sculpture saying not to climb on it and that there is 24-hour camera surveillance. I guess they're pretty serious, DON'T climb on the art.
There's even a cute little playground across the street.
by JiaYing

Issaquah troll unveiled

Thomas Dambo Seattle troll #3! This one is on the Rainier Trail in Issaquah. Park at the Issaquah Community Center, near the dog park. There's a post with colorful birdhouses to point you in the right direction. Jakob Two Trees is a 3-minute walk down the trail.

Here's a link to my story about the troll project for Seattle's Child.

It was busy, and everyone was so respectful taking turns for a photo.