Snow trip #2 and more illness

A few weeks after the LSCC snow retreat, we went on another snow trip with the Valley Crew. I call it a "snow trip" as opposed to "ski trip" since there really isn't any skiing going on for Nik or me. :P Maybe next year if we're feeling ambitious... During the LSCC snow trip, the weather was mild and warm, and there was hardly any snow. This time around, there was fresh powder on the ground but it was bone-chillingly cold. Our kids are finally a little older and it was wonderful to see them playing together. Viet and Kayla were gracious enough to share an adjoining room with us and it wasn't a complete disaster! (though having only a queen and twin bed for our whole family was a bit challenging)

Girl time means it's time to do hair!

Then (circa 2015)..

.. and now. Playing together.. it only took three years!

And of course, watching the tablet together

Kids take up a surprising amount of room on the bed

We found a snowed over park to play at with the kids, and everyone enjoyed playing on the snowed covered play structure and eating icicles. We tried to venture out to find some good sledding hills, but by then, the kids were tired and it was so cold that we just did a few runs before calling it a day.

A lunch of icicles for our petite girls..

.. and a brief stop for a real lunch

Jad did well during this second snow trip. It was much better this time around since he wasn't sick, though I didn't like having him outside for extended periods of time since it was so cold out. Wei's sous vide steak was once again one of the highlights of the trip and Sora, our little carnivoire, gobbled it up.

Sahana: "He's so squishy!"

Next year.. even more kids! j/k

On the way up to Tahoe, we stopped at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience. It isn't very large, but it's the perfect size for toddlers and the kids enjoyed seeing the birds and various animals.

Immediately after the snow trip, Jad got sick yet again so there were more sleepless nights of coughing and exhaustion. Fortunately, it wasn't as severe as the last time and only Jad got sick this time around. Since then, we've had activities every weekend. We celebrated Dylan's birthday a few weeks ago. As always, Kai and Sora enjoyed playing with other kids' toys, and Audrey and Lester's lola gave me a break while they cuddled Jad.

"Thanks for the cuddles, Auntie Audrey!"

The next weekend we had an impromptu play date at our house with the Shaws and Koralages as we we tried to keep the kids occupied on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Getting their nails done

Dog pile!

And two weekends ago, we celebrated Niko's birthday. It was a bit chaotic until the critical mass of kids left, but the kids had a great time.

Love it when the kids go into the bedroom, shut the door, and play quietly

Someone needs to teach Sora how to smile for a camera :P

Making Kai and Sora feel validated and loved in spite of how tired and busy we are is a challenge. Fortunately, the days are getting longer and we're managing to find the time to go outside again so I had some quality time with Kai and Sora at the playground while Nik watched Jad at home. And the other day, Nik wrote Kai and Sora a letter for them to read while he was at work.. Nik really is the best Baba and the kids loved it!

We also replaced our old kitchen dining table with a new (used) one (can't get anything too fancy with kiddos)--a bigger table to reflect our growing family. Nik and I managed to go out for sushi lunch date after picking up the new table and Jad was remarkably well-behaved.

From Boston, to LA, to San Jose, this table has served us well

Jad's sleep is still a work in progress, though I think he's starting to have one long interval (4-5 hours) of rest a night again. I know it sounds like nothing, but that long interval really does make a world of difference!

Impossible to be mad at this guy..