Home For the Holidays- Part 2

The second half of our "Christmas" week seemed to go by even quicker! A lot of our time was spent eating (we love food in Sac) and spending time with friends (and crashing at Gavin & Annie's house a ton!).

Here are some highlights from our time in NorCal:

First things first, upon touching down, I made good on my promise to Greg, In-n-Out.

 Of course, since I'm not a huge In-N-Out fan, Greg made good on his promise to me. Yum! Fake meat tacos from Jaques en le Carte!

After settling in, we hit up the most talked about, salivated over place in Sac, the infamous Jade Fountain. It did not disappoint!

I love this crunchy fun! I think I could eat a whole order myself if I weren't trying to save myself for the pork chops.

Pork choppy goodness, my absolute favorite!

More than tolerable greens. That saying a lot from this carb loving, sugar overdosing carnivore!

Beef stew with tofu!

 After Jade, I got my ice cream (even though it was cold outside!)

I am so genuinely happy in this pic!

Mint chip with chocolate malted crunch. Their double scoops are amazing.

 Unfortunately on Thursday and Friday we didn't take too many pics (you know us, too many photos of food and not many of people), but we had some great time to spend with friends. We went to La Favorita Taqueria and got to hang out with Walter and Annice who were visiting from Japan (with adorable Baby Titus!), I was able to take advantage of those yummy and cheap Ikea breakfasts with Monica and I got to spend an extended time being a pretend Law sister at my adopted family's house! We also hung out at Gavin and Annie's house a few times taking pics in their photo booth and eating homemade cotton candy.

Greg surprised me by getting tamales for breakfast on Thursday. Mexican food anytime of the day is fine by me!

Chicharonnes, I think this has to be the worst thing for you EVER.

Superly authentic tamales. Makes me wish I had some sort of Mexican heritage so I could reproduce these!

On Friday we were reunited with our CYFers and Greg was even blessed with an opportunity to speak at CYF! It is so crazy how many things change in just one short year! Afterwards, I was thankful to get an impromptu game night going and a large handful of girls invaded the Ginn household to play Sabotuer. Jonathan was so gracious in his response to much giggling and loud talking. I love my CYF girls and it was a very precious time to be able to hang out with them.

On Saturday we were able to finally spend a bit of time with Jonathan (he was so busy with school work!) and we all went out for Dim Sum.

I have some chopstick talent! How is it that the shrimp ball is levitating like that?

Shui Mai, meaty delicious goodness.

No one agrees with me, but I love sticky rice!

Fried shrimp balls, so tasty.

This flaky taro is the best. So much better than our frozen Louisville attempt at a dim sum fix!

 Saturday evening we saved our stomachs and went out to eat at the long anticipated Fujis (Elk Grove). I only wish I could have fit more sushi into my stomach!!

No, I didn't wear sweatpants that expand at the waist, but I did consider it briefly.

Something yummy. And the battered fish and softshell crab was delicious! I think I might like this Elk Grove Fuji's better than the Davis one.

Spider Roll.

Dragon Roll.

Rainbow Roll.

Jonathan's idea of a Philly Roll! What a waste of a sushi!

On Saturday evening we were incredibly blessed to have a huge reunion with friends. Of course there were the Sactown locals whom we loved visiting, but we also were able to see Walter, Annice & Titus as well as Vicky and Albert who came to visit from the Bay! It was a sweet and precious time of fellowship and it was especially encouraging to see how fellowship could span across different grades and ages (from older classes to students we had sponsored just a year or two ago!) and how God has been so faithful to preserve and grow our friends. We are so thankful.

On Sunday morning Greg was blessed with the opportunity to preach during the English service. He brought us a edifying message about Phineas from the OT and I was so proud and thankful for the way God used him to bless our family at CG.

His preaching professor, Dr. York would be proud.

After church we enjoyed a family lunch at Grandma & Grandpas. Of course the table was lined with way too much food and it was all so delicious. We had missed good Chinese cooking, especially the chicken! We were also so thankful that Auntie Donna and Auntie Nancy came all the way from the Bay Area just to see us!

Delicious chicken!

Mom surprised me with my favorite cake ever. Lemon cooler from Freeport bakery. It will change you life...or at least your cake palette.

Two cakes, ridiculousness!

Group shot!

We got to see Sarah's new and adorable house.

Sunday night was the Ginn family Faux Christmas, but unfortunately we definitely missed Charissa's presence although it was a fun time (and we even had a fire going since I miss having a real hearth during the cold winter days!).

Yay for gifts!

J's B3ar Fruit t-shirt. Greg has corrupted him with holy hip hop.

Personalized coasters for Mom and Dad.

Our time in Sac also went by incredibly fast, but it was a wonderful time of refreshment and blessing. We are so thankful that Sac even now still feels like home and there is so much to come home to. Praise God for the resources, time and opportunity to spend the "holidays" in Cali!