Catchup post for early Feb / Small group movie night / RCC snow trip

All right, lots of catch up for the last two weeks!  

The weather is unseasonably warm for early Feb.  For some days it was 80 degrees out, which makes for wonderful outside time but makes us worry about drought and how hot the summer is going to be.

At least the creek is up and running again even if it is a bit mucky..

Jad enjoying throwing rocks in the water

We had a nice movie night with our small group.  We are still outside here but I think soon we will be able to stop masking.  COVID numbers are down and the county is considering rescinding mask mandates for both indoor and schools.  We watched Laputa Castle in the Sky, which was quite enjoyable with the Hsiehs, Kimballs, Harts and Ngs.

New screen setup courtesy of Rich

Also, Eden's birthday, which we
celebrated with cupcakes

The Casanova's hosted a super bowl party (which I missed because of work).  Thanks for the great food, Alex!

Kids did not watch much football :)

Valentine's Day celebrations

Amy and I went out for a quick boba date

The kids got lots of candies at school.  They are still at an age where we can make them give Valentines to everybody in their class but at some point, we'll go beyond that.  Sora made special Valentines for Wally, Barack, maybe Caleb too :)  but the kids definitely like getting the Valentine's for than the actual treats as the candies are still sitting on the table untouched.

Jad was sad he didn't get as many Valentines as his siblings

We are so happy that our friend Billy and his wife, Michelle, are pregnant and expecting soon.  We gave them our old pack and play and some toys.  We're trying to phase out of the baby items as Jad gets older.  That pack and play served us well for over eight years though!

So long and be good to the next kid!

Matt and Nicole came up for a visit over President's Day weekend and Amy's mom decided to do a banquet for them as they never had a wedding celebration with our extended family up here.  It was at Mayflower and we had a pretty good 10 course Chinese Banquet.  It was Nicole's first time and I think she mostly enjoyed it, though I don't think she tried all the foods (like the jellyfish or the fish maw..)

Kids were very well behaved at their table

It was nice to see Amy's mom's side of the family.  Lots of
small kids now that we'll have to playdate later

Speaking of family, my mom's brother and sister visited her in Chiang Mai for a few days.  I think it made her happy to see them.  We're looking forward to seeing her next month!  Chris is going to visit next week.

My Aunt Eng and mom

My brother helping my mom during a swim

The kids continue to have fun doing random stuff.  Here they are making a tent city in front of our driveway with the neighbors.

RCC tent city :)

Recent visit to the library playground which
the kids still enjoy

Kai and Sora out for a hike with Amy
while Jad is in school and I'm at work

Micah came over for a playdate and Elysia popped
by as well so they all played Outfoxed (before video games :)

Sora and Noe are enjoying gymnastics.. It's quite likely that 
nothing will result out of this expensive class but they certainly
are having fun 

The kids were off of school for "ski week" ie. Feb break so we planned a trip with the the neighbors to go up to the Aoalins' cabin at Dodge Ridge, which is south of Tahoe and basically a less famous, less fancy, less expensive ski area (as compared to Tahoe).  It actually had not snowed for a month but then we heard it would snow on Tuesday all day so we decided to go up early on Monday evening to avoid any road problems.  The Aoalins were so nice to host all of us and everyone had a great time.  Maybe we can do it again in the summer for fishing!

We woke on Tuesday morning to fresh snow!

Breakfast of champions

They had a lot of fun just sledding down the driveway

Sora catching snowflakes on her tongue

Jad making snowballs

A pic with the Aoalin boys

There was also plenty of inside time with video games

The adults also enjoyed some down time and good company

The next day we went tubing at the sled park

I don't even know where Jad got these sunglasses..
First time on the magic carpet :)

There was also a small area where the kids could play 
and throw snowballs.  Terry and the kids joined us for the day too!

Overall, an excellent trip and a nice little getaway.  I'm glad we have such good neighbors.  On the way back, we stopped at Rosniyom Thai which does a pretty good job.  Makes me hungry for Thai food and look forward more to our trip in April!

That's it for now.  Til next time!