In January 2016, Uncle Joel and Auntie Christine flew to China to adopt Mason Hsu Sato. They had been working toward this adoption
for quite a while, and it was finally time to pick him up. They spent a week in China to acclimate themselves to the time change and
overcome their jetlag first before actually heading to the orphange. Once they arrived at the orphanage, they immediately picked up
Mason and started their paperwork odyssey. Adoption, visa, citizenship, etc. all had to be taken care of before they headed
home. All the while, Mason and new parents, Joel and Christine, bonded quickly to form a family that seemed organic and natural.
Mason was pretty easy considering nobody really knew what to expect. He cleans up his toys and puts away his shoes (something
his much older cousins have failed to figure out). He has a hearty appetite which probably helps him maintain his "active" lifestyle
too. In the end, we're overjoyed for Joel and Christine. Mason is home with Mom and Dad now and we can't wait to see what the
future holds for all of them.
January 2016 China
Since Joel and Christine had a week to get acclimated, they used their time to see whatever sites they could. Take a look at some of the places
they visited.
Jan. 17, 2016 Jinan, Shandong Province
First family picture!
Mar. 25, 2016
Official Adoption Day
Mason's formal adoption took place at the San Mateo County Youth Services Center on Friday, Mar. 25, 2016. He along with Joel, Christine, Grandpa,
Grandma, and Uncle Randy witnessed the judge sign the adoption documents formally acknowledging Mason as the adopted son of Joel and Christine.
On March 13, 2019 San Francisco Mayor, London Breed, announced the selection of Jeanine Nicholson as the next San Francisco Fire Chief. Here she is with Mason in one of the pictures used for the San
Francisco Chronicle.
Mason and the new Fire Chief!
Here is the article that ran in the Chronicle on 3/13/19.
Here's Auntie Christine's take on her recent flight back east with Mason. "Packing for a trip for myself *and* for Mason is always super hectic, despite
the number of times I've done it + my checklists! We recently got Mason a new, blue school bag with wheels that is designed to look like a shark, with the front pocket as the shark's mouth, teeth and all. I told him
he could use it as his carry-on luggage and had him put everything he wanted to take with him into a pile on the floor so I could inspect and approve before he packed it. 100% toy cars. Good to go.
So when TSA scanned our luggage, pulled his shark bag, and barked, "Whose bag is this!" I pointed at Mason and said "Uhhh... it's his..... " because that was the truth. And when the TSA guy said, "Please come with
me", I did what anyone in my shoes would do - told Mason to go with him, whipped out my camera, and giggled like crazy!
Apparently Mason stuck a few other items into his bag when I wasn't looking, including a brand new bottle of bubbles. Thankfully, as seen in that last photo, they let him on the plane. This time. But not without
first removing the threat (bubbles)."
Let's take a look.
What have we here?
Sir, all liquids are prohibited from carry-ons.
"I'm sorry"
On the plane after TSA.
April 25, 2023 Ragazzi Boys Chorus San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals National Anthem
Mason has been singing with the Ragazzi Boys Chorus for a while now. He auditioned quite a while back not only for this chorus but also for the San Francisco Boys Chorus. In the end he had his choice of
either chorus as both accepted him. Oh, by the way, the Giants won this game, 5-4.
Singing the National Anthem.
Mason, 1st row, 7th from the left (kinda standing sideways).
Mason and Uncle Joel flew to Hawaii for a week at the beginning of October. This trip was meant to give Mason some one-on-one time with both Grandpa and Grandma. While there they hit up all the popular
tourist spots - Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, Matsumoto's Shave Ice, Rainbows, Side Street, etc.. One really cool get-together that took place while there was the entire Lee (Auntie Janice) clan was in town
for cousin Leanna's daughter's wedding. Just about the entire family met with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Joel, and Mason at Side Street Inn for dinner. It was so cool to see everyone together. After a week,
however, the trip came to an end, so Mason and Uncle Joel headed home. Right after dropping them off at the airport Grandpa said, "I'm lonesome already".
Side Street Inn.
Grandma hugging Lindy.
Leanna, Lance, Lisa, and Lindy.
Love Side Street Inn.
Uncle Joel, Grandpa, Mason, Grandma, Kim (Van Alstine), Corrie Scott,
Leanna, Jonathan Scott II (Kim's husband), Lisa, Daryl Chesonis (Lisa's son),
Vicki, Beckie Van Alstine, Kimberlynn, Lance, Doug (Lindy's friend),
Lindy, Kristin (baby due 3/24), and Christian Heilman (Kristin's husband).
Matsumoto's Shave Ice.
January 28, 2024 JYO vs. Tri-City D-American
Mason has been playing basketball for San Mateo JYO, unlike his cousins who all played for Tri-City down the peninsula. When his team played Tri-City in Mountain View we all decided we would make the time to
catch his game. We were so glad we did. Mason's team led from the beginning all the way to the end, and he even scored on a nice medium range jumper! It was a lot of fun being back in the gym watching the kids
play. We can't wait until we get to watch him play again!
On Saturday, February 10th, Mason had the great opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Stanford Men's Basketball Game in Maples Pavilion. He along with the rest of the Ragazzi Boys Chorus thrilled the packed arena with
their performance.
Mason and Uncle Joel walked in the 2024 Lunar New Year Parade with the San Francisco Fire Department. Here's a screenshot of them from the SFFD Instagram account.
