Happy New Year! / Switch time / Amy 1000 / Playdate with Micah / LSCC Snow trip

 Happy New Year!  Here's to hoping 2022 is better than 2021 and we make our way out of the pandemic.  

One of the big things that happened last week was that the Nintendo Switch arrived.  Amy and I had decided that they were old enough to get it finally after many years of holding off and them watching and playing on friends' consoles.  We've tried to be moderate in their screen and video game time and I think we've not been too extreme in either direction.  I actually ordered it from Target back at the end of Nov and went to pick it up to stash in our closet but then, about a week before Xmas, the OLED switch became available on Amazon.  After some deliberation, I decided to return the regular one and order the OLED.  The only catch was that it wasn't going to arrive until Tuesday the 28th.  The kids were super excited, especially Kai who is our gamer, and were very patient.  Then on Monday night, we got a notice that it would be delayed (oh man!)  Still the kids were patient but we were worried it wouldn't get to us before we went on our Tahoe trip on Thursday the 30th.  Luckily, it finally arrived on Wednesday evening :)  The kids loved it, of course, even if they only have one game so far..

When we were notified, Kai went out to 
the street to wait for the delivery..

The joy on his face

First play of Super Smash Brothers!!

On the opposite end of the activity spectrum, Amy also completed her goal of running 1000 miles in 2021.  She was really pushing it to the end but she did it!  She always talks it down but what a  great accomplishment .. great work, love!

The last run to 1000!

Kai also had a playdate with Micah.  We're so glad that they still enjoy time together.  Micah is such a cute and innocent kid :)

They got to play on the Xbox because the
switch had not arrived yet

While I worked for much of the week, Amy packed and borrowed snow clothes (and boots, etc.) so we could pack for our LSCC Snow Trip.  With the outbreak of the COVID omicron variant, we were a bit unsure about the trip and there had been heavy snow the week before, but this had been in the plans for many months and we decided that we would still go and just pray/keep fingers crossed for good weather and health.

Someone showed me this picture before we left and
we almost cancelled

But actually it turned out not to be too bad.  The storms stopped on Tuesday and roads were cleared by Wednesday evening.  We had a very smooth drive and didn't even need chains.  It was clear the days we were there until we drove back on Sunday, again without problems, and started snowing again this week.  Luck or divine intervention? :)

There was still an impressive amount of snow

The snow was all powder, having just fallen the week before, and very soft.  It was very thick in places and made it hard to walk around.  I think if we were big ski/snowboarders it would have been great but it actually made it harder to play in the snow because Jad couldn't even walk around without sinking and snow kept getting into our boots.  

Kai and Liam throwing snowballs

All three bundled up

Selfie!

The other problem were the other people who were there.  Usually we have so many families going on the snow retreat that our church takes up the entire building but this year we had less people so there was enough room for another church to be there as well.  Unfortunately, they were not as good about masking, broke several of the facility rules, often walked through our area and even took some of our food.  If it wasn't pandemic time, it wouldn't have been a big deal but it made us weary of the common room and cafeteria and I hope that it didn't contribute to anyone getting ill.

We spent a lot of time with the Shaws

Sora tried to go ice skating but the rink was sold out.  The kids ended up mostly running around with each other from room to room, playing nerf guns or on various screens.  We did go sledding one day which was fun but Vivian (Drew's 3rd) did a header into my upper back which I'm still recovering from.  Luckily, she was fine.

Jad and I on the sled before heading down

It was very pretty with all the snow covered 
trees and icicles

Jad was so exhausted after 3 days of nonstop
fun that he passed out during dinner on the last day

We made it home safe and sound and no one has been sick yet.  We'll keep fingers crossed and prayers for this week as the kids return to school.  There was a debate about whether to keep the kids at home (the Connicks are keeping theirs out for the week) but we decided as long as they are asymptomatic and keep their masks on, that we would send ours.  Hard, doesn't seem like a right decision, just more how comfortable each person feels.  Darn pandemic.. Hopefully, things improve this year.

Sunset over the lake

Rainy Christmas week / Amy's run up Mission Peak / Xmas lights, dinner and presents / Dustin's bday / Garage Churros / Rainbows

 Last week before 2022!  I saw this meme that 2022 is just "2020 too" .. I hope not.  2021 was certainly better than 2020 and hopefully 2022 will be ok as well.  Certainly the Omicron COVID variant is surging but I hope that our highly vaccinated area will shield us from the worse effects on the hospital.  Also, new antivirals may help with the treatment side.  Fingers crossed and prayers :)

There has been a storm over us for the last week or so.  It gave us some much needed rain and we're happy though it has made for more indoor days with the kids.  Amy is very patient with them but I know I've reached my limit a few times from being enclosed too long with them.  

The creek is flowing again!

We have also been looking forward to our snow trip with LSCC.  In contrast to the last 2 times we went when there was barely snow on the ground, it has been seriously dumping snow in the mountains.  I think Tahoe broke records with over 16 ft of snow.  The roads are currently closed actually so I wonder if that'll effect our trip.  Again, fingers crossed and prayers for a safe and fun trip.

Amy is nearing her goal of running 1000 miles this year with only about 7 miles left as of this writing.  Last week, she ran up to Mission Peak because she wanted a challenge.  My wife is crazy.. amazing crazy..

Someone carried a tree up there!

On Christmas Eve, we went out to look at the lights in Willow Glen.  Some very impressive streets with arches and houses with thousands of lights and music too.  

What a nice looking family :p

This was the most impressive.. Santa's sleigh and reindeer
team across about 10 houses

We had an early Xmas dinner with Amy parents, David and Sunny's family (Matt and Nicole are celebrating with her family in SoCal this year).  David made a prime rib which was excellent, as usual, and Sunny cooked some great fish too.  

Opulence, I has it!

As for presents, I think Kai has figured out Santa already and Sora has her suspicions but they are both going with it for now just for fun.  Jad doesn't seem to care where his presents are coming from :) The big item this year was the Nintendo Switch.  We've been holding off for a long time and finally decided it was time.  The shipping was a bit delayed so the kids have been very patient waiting an extra 3 days for it to arrive but I know they, Kai especially, have been thinking about it a lot.  Kai got some Pokemon cards and Sora got bee socks.  Jad's favorite were a pair of plastic lightsabers which they have been swinging around at each other (don't know if that was the best idea..)

I like this guy that Kai made in school

We even got a warm, fresh apple pie from Brian!

We also had a mini celebration of Dustin's bday with the Aoalins.  We have been lying low this week because everyone has a mild cold.  We think An-Toan was patient zero but it has been passed to most of us. We chose to test Kai for COVID (neg) and are now better.  We actually went back to have dinner with the Connicks two nights ago and shared some leftovers and churros.

Dustin is 6!

Amy had a craving for Churros so went to this
random garage she found on Yelp! There was a line..

Guy making churros.  The finished product
($5 for each greasy bag) was delicious!

We did also make it out to Christmas in the Park.  Amy always wants to go though I'm not a specific fan of it.  In fact, the boys aren't huge fans but Sora seems to like it.  It was smaller this year though we did get to walk under the big Xmas tree which was cool.

Carrying on the tradition

Cool perspective

Who knows what next year will hold!  Hopefully, rainbows at the end of the rain..

Take care, everyone!

Time with Amy / Christmas Cards // School celebrations // An-Toan's birthday

My Penultimate post for 2021.. 

One of the things that has come back with the kids going to school is that Amy and I get a little time to ourselves during the weekdays.  Of course, many of these days I'm at work or Amy is working sometimes or we're doing the dishes and cleaning the house and getting groceries or whatever.  But at least once a week, we try to have a mini date together.. as much as we love them, it's nice to have a little time without the kids. 

Sometimes we'll go for brunch..

sometimes, just relax at home in our sherpa pants :)

We did also manage to get our Xmas card out.  Staples next day printing came through this year and I worked quickly to get our update letter together.  Came out pretty well!

Got to use our fancy clothes once more
before the kid outgrew them

Picture from one of our road trips to SoCal

Sora made a mini Gingerbread house at school. 

Very creative, this one

Jad also had his Christmas concert at Agape.  We were sad that it wasn't in person (damn you, COVID!) but it was still super cute.  Jad really was very exuberant and excited to be singing and dancing.  Where does that kid get it ;)

Super cute

We also had An-Toan's birthday celebration this past weekend.  Terry and Trang got a ridiculous amount of Nerf bullets and accessories.  I made some shields for the kids (from post office cardboard boxes) .. parenting win!

Adults vs kids American Gladiators style 

A Nerf mini militia

Lastly, we had worship Sunday at church (mostly singing) and Jad wanted to ride on my back.  Sora is getting into singing more, probably because of her piano lessons, and I want to set a good example for her. Jad just wants to be close to us still.

Riding on daddy's back

Merry Christmas, everyone!  

End of Year wind down // Family togetherness // Kai // Sora // Jad // Snowrun Amy

Another quiet week as 2021 winds to a close..

I talked about how you have to enjoy the moments previously.  We don't usually let the kids into our bed because I can't sleep well with a little body next to me but the kids snuck in last week and dogpiled into the bed.  It was very cute..

Jad is lying on Sora's head, btw

We also did our very first fancy photo session with our friend, Cindy.  We also wanted to reuse the clothes that we got for Matt's wedding before the kids grew out of them :p We all got dressed up and went up to the Redwoods near Oakland.  Got some good pics..

..and many silly ones!

Kai and Sora got their 2nd COVID vaccinations .. now just Jad left!

No tears .. these kids are growing up!

We want to see if we can get Kai back into jujitsu and Amy took him to Lute to check it out.  He took a bit of time to warm up but was having fun by the end of the class.  I think we'll try it for a few months.

Kai was paired up with another kid named Kai

Of course, Sora drew and colored while waiting

Can't leave Jad out.  This boy is such a goofball with an outsized personality for his little body :)

New sunglasses for mom?  Me too!

Looking maniacal with his peas :D

Trying on Dad's glasses.. mini me!

It rained so I must go to the creek..

Lastly, it's cold and rainy in the bay this week (relatively anyway, yes, we're weak :) but Amy is not.  today she decided to drive up to the top of Mount Umunhum to meet with some of the girls in her running group to run in the snow.  Steady progress towards 1000 miles for 2021!

Gotta go find snow to run in!?!

Don't be fooled, they are huddling together for warmth!

Next week is Christmas!  Til next time :)

Quiet week // little things

 Not too much going on last week.  Just a few pics as the weather gets colder here.  Hope we get some rain soon!

We've been playing more board games lately.  Probably because Kai doesn't have soccer any more so there is more time in the afternoons.  Also it's cold out so going outside is harder.  

Kai and Sora like scrabble .. Kai always plays the corners
where it clogs up the board.. annoying and clever

Jad has also been playing on his own.  Just Uno mostly but he likes to have his own place nowadays rather than just playing with an adult.  

David teaching the kids to play Sequence... 
Good game!

The library remains a staple in our week.  I think Kai and Sora are still reading way above their grade levels and Jad also loves to be read to :)  Nerds!!!  Love it :)

Big display at the Berryessa Library

Kai and the Vipers had their celebration pizza party at the park.  It was a lot of fun for the kids and we really hope this team can stay together for spring.  We also found out that the team that beat us (Hawks, I think) was not a regular team but rather a group of players selected for the tournament.  That means Kai's team was the best of the regular teams this season.. yay!

Evening at the park with pizza

It got dark pretty quick

Because Kai and Sora get out of school first, they usually come with us to do our errands.  Jad has been demanding to go as well because of FOMO, like Costco is some special treat :)

In the trunk, helping unload groceries

Lastly, if it seems like there's always a birthday party or some sort of other party on RCC, that's because there is :p  Our bar for celebration has gotten quite low with celebrations for things like We Found a Sock! or Grocery Delivery! or even FriYay!   Terry did legit have his birthday this week so he had a combined party with Tam.  Good times!

Kids making some pizza..

Adults making with the whiskey!

Til next time!  We gotta get our Xmas cards out :)