End-of-year Field trips // RCC holiday party // Christmas!! // Christmas in the Park // LSCC Snow trip 2022 and NYE // Our Cat

 Happy New Year, all!  We wrapped up the last days of 2022 with a couple field trips, some low key activities and a trip to Tahoe with our church.  Good times!

The school year finished up strong with events for both Kai and Sora.  I'm glad they like Noble and have made some good friends there.  It's certainly not a fancy school but I hope that our kids find their place and enjoy the experience.

Sora had a class potluck party.. thank goodness
the days of pandemic-no-sharing-touching are behind us

Amy chaperoned Kai's class on their field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  It was their big trip for the year (as Kai is no longer in PPP so doesn't get as many events) so I am glad he got to go as he had a mild illness a couple days before. 

Kai really enjoyed touching the rays

The Open Ocean tank is always amazing

We had our neighborhood Xmas party with many of the other parents in our neighborhood.  We had a white elephant gift exchange as well but for "no price", so basically, just looking around the house for things we weren't using and then wrapping it up.  The items ranged from a used candle to a UV phone sanitizer to Japanese Pokemon cards.  Lots of fun..

Kegan got a magnetic dart board!

Kids got to play video games..

.. while adults talked and finished our advent leftovers

We had dinner with Amy's parents, David and Sunny's family on Christmas Eve which was very nice.  The kids went to sleep late (Sora has been having trouble falling asleep especially) and woke up to presents under the tree.  We (and Santa) didn't go all out this year but between the white elephant, grandparents and friends, they still got plenty of loot.  

Christmas morning (before I went off to work :p)

Lots of Pokemon cards (thanks largely
to our neighbor David!)

That week, Amy also got in a hike up to Mission peak.

Amazing that some people carry a tree up there
every year

We and the Connicks also made Oreo cookie scenes (in lieu of gingerbread houses)!

Definitely tastier than gingerbread houses

I had to work a lot while the kids were off school (sigh, the life of an ER doctor) in trade for getting the weekend off to go to on the snow trip but it was mostly ok.  Amy did take the kids up to the Academy of Sciences with Dali and the Kongs.  

Fun times with friends

and we still made it to Christmas in the Park this year.  The best part was when we saw the Toyon Elementary tree and then found Jad's decoration that he made right on it :) 

Christmas in the Park at dusk

Jad and the Toyon tree

After a long week of work, we packed on Wednesday (last minute as usual) and set off on Thursday morning for Tahoe with the LSCC folks.  We were lucky (blessed?) to have a good drive there with clear roads, even though it has been raining here all week.  We got to play in the snow for a bit that evening but Friday was mostly raining so we huddled in doors.  The kids ran around and also played a lot of video games.  Saturday night, the dump started and we woke up to fresh snow on the ground so we went sledding that day with the church folks.  In total there was about 20 inches of snow that day which was more than we've ever seen in one day.  The power to the conference center went out twice and, for a bit, we wondered if we'd have heating for Saturday night but thankfully, it got resolved by nightfall.  Sunday, things cleared up and, after digging our car out, we were able to drive home without much trouble, even the chains didn't cause much of issue this time.  The only downside to the trip was that the Shaws got sick and couldn't make it so Evelyn and William couldn't come.  A great trip otherwise!

A rainy-snowy drive to the mountains

I helped the kids build a snow fort but it
melted in the night

Kai was always with Niko or Brandon,
whether inside or outside

Sora was always with Noe and Jad most of the time

There was a lot of video games this trip,
especially with all the indoor time

Kids ate on their own for much of the trip
though Jad still needed lots of encouragement

Jad made friends with a new kid, Lukas,
but still played with Jubilee and others

Woke up to snowfall on Saturday morning

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Jad and Sora at the top of the sledding hill

On Friday, the power went out for a couple hours and then again on Saturday for about 4 hours.  We were pretty well prepared with food and, even if the heat had been off, probably would have been ok through the night.  The kids had a blast running around in the dark and someone had brought some glow sticks so that was a lucky break.  I had to make sure the little kids all were carrying glow sticks so the teens wouldn't crash into them in the dark.

The camera exposure makes it seems bright
but it was actually pretty dark

Adults hunkered down in the main room with puzzles,
board games, food and drink :)

Our car was totally buried in the snow!  The other dads and I dug out all the cars in the lot (exhausting!) but it was a bonding experience.  I sure don't miss living where it snows :p

Lucky, Amy thought to put the
windshield wipers up before they froze

The car had a snow hat for much of
the uneventful drive home

While we were gone, it rained a lot in San Jose as well and the normal trickle of Penetencia Creek became a roaring river.  It stopped just short of overflowing the banks.  Lots of rain is good for the drought, maybe just not all at once..  We still have another week of rain ahead though.

It almost came over the Noble Bridge

Lastly, we found Sesame at home when we arrived.  He came running when Sora called, probably hungry for his dinner.  Today, Amy brought him to the vet and he got neutered and chipped.  I guess he's officially our cat now.  

Making himself at home

Happy New Year, everyone!  May 2023 be full of joy and blessing :)

Pets // Sick Kids // Christmas Lights // Nik's mom

Happy holidays, everyone!  Not too much has happened in our household that last two weeks but generally just weathering through December.  It has been cold with a little bit of rain here and there.  We've all dug out our heavier jackets and sherpa pants the last few weeks.

We've had a couple mini additions to our household!  First, we got a new betta fish to add to our aquarium along with three more neon tetras.  Amy and the kids had gone to Petsmart to get the tetras to create a bigger school but then they saw the bettas looking so pathetic in their little cups on display and had to rescue one.  There were ones that were more colorful but Amy chose one of the ones that had been in its cup the longest (almost a couple months) to save it.  Luckily, it seems to be getting along well with our other fish and there isn't too much fighting.

It's gotten more color back into its fins
after getting out of that little cup

Second, we've almost fully adopted Sesame.  He often comes into the house now and prowls around.  Vic has been instrumental in giving us scratching posts/boards, blankets, catnip and treats so we're very thankful to her.  She even gave us a collar that I slipped onto him.  We have to watch him in the house as he still attempts to scratch the couch but he's slowly getting better.  He has also scratched at the kids a couple of times but that may be partly their fault as they may not be approaching him correctly.

Lounging inside

I'm surprised that he allows us to pick
him up so easily

Sleeping in his carrier outside.  We're tempted
to bring him in but don't trust him fully yet..

The kids have also gotten a couple mild illnesses.  First it was Kai with one day of fever and missed one day of school.  Then Jad was sick for one day last week with fever and diarrhea and missed three days of school.  Then Kai was sick again for one day this week and stayed home for one day.  Sora was like, "how come I'm the only one who doesn't get to stay home?" :)  Fingers crossed, no major illnesses yet or anything lasting really long.

Amy went on a walk with Kai at Alum Rock

My day with Jad while he was climbing 
a fallen tree near the creek

Of course, Christmas season is upon us.  We managed to send out all of our Xmas cards early this year (way to go, Amy!)  We went out this week to look at the lights in Willow Glen so that was fun, if cold :)  We also had a nice Christmas party with our small group and did a little white elephant gift exchange for the kids where almost everyone got the present they wanted..

Our holiday card this year 
w/ a high tech QR code 

Willow Glen Christmas Arches

White elephant with the small group!

..Sydney had gotten the plasma globe initially but it was stolen from her so she was rather sad.  Ethan also got a pop-it thing which was he was probably too old for so we ran back out to Marshalls and got two more plasma globes for both of them.  At $12 each, they were a good deal and little effort to make their days. 

Sydney with her plasma globe

Lastly and most significantly, over the last two weeks my mom (Nik's) has continued to decline.  Joe got there in early December and he felt that she was suffering.  After a long talk with my dad and some difficult consideration, they decided to move my mom to full comfort care.  I had a very difficult time trying to figure out if I needed to be there before she passed but eventually decided that it was too hard to make it there on such short notice.  Over the last week, she has only been getting liquid nutrition by mouth and morphine for pain when she seems uncomfortable.  It's immensely hard to bear that we are not doing anything while she is dying but it's clear that she will not get better from here so we're rather she pass away naturally instead of prolonging her suffering.  I am planning to go there in January for a week whatever happens.  It's hard for me to see my mom this way so here are a few pictures of her from happier times when she was with us.

June 2018, my mom jumped in when she
saw Amy taking a picture of all three kids

July 2019 when Chris and I were able to visit Thailand

July 2015 when we were lucky enough to take my mom to Greece..
her first time in Europe

Sep 2013 The Grandparents at Kai's red egg

2016 maybe, I love this picture of my mom and Chris..
She looks genuinely happy

1978?  I was less than a year for sure in this picture with my mom
and Joe.  Yes, I was born on a pig farm

There's a complex mix of emotions currently. love, regret, longing, joy, guilt, sadness..  She never thought there was anything after death, just that you go away.  Hopefully she is comfortable at the end and then goes to sleep peacefully.

To not finish things on too sad a note, I'll leave a pic of the kids here on their way home from school with their friends.  Til next time!

After the rain, often there's a rainbow

Sleepover at the Shaws // Multiple Thanksgivings // Joe in Thailand // Whiskey Mini advent // Santa Visits // In Person Small Group Again

A busy end of November and beginning of December.  Here we go..

We didn't have much planned for Thanksgiving, mostly just going to Amy's parent's house as Matt and Nichole were coming up from SoCal and David and Sunny as well.  Our good friends, the Shaws, were going to visit their own family but then someone got sick and their whole trip was cancelled so they didn't have much planned all week.  The kids wanted to do a sleepover anyway so the Shaws were kind enough to take them all for a night (when Amy was working night shift and I was working morning shift the next day) and the kids had a lot of fun together.  

I think they went to sleep at 11pm and woke up at 5am

Then we had Thanksgiving in Fremont with Amy's family.  Nichole is pregnant so there were congratulations all around and she is due in the summer.  She helped make the food but the smells made her nauseous, so she didn't even get to enjoy the meal.  

I didn't even get a picture of David's smoked
turkey before.. but this is it after being demolished

Since they didn't have plans, we invited the Shaws along for dinner.  They got along well with Amy's parents too.  

Thanksgiving is a time for family AND friends

The Friday after Thanksgiving, we had Friendsgiving at the Connicks with our neighbors and watched some football.  Kegan had his parents over from Hawai'i and a number of the neighbors came as well.  Good times.

Finishing off all those leftovers

On the Saturday after that, Amy and Matt had a run.  As they are a bunch of runners in their family, they wanted to run together so they signed up for a 10k at a local school fundraiser.  I hope our kids are more like her in this respect and less like me :p

Amy was the first place finisher for women!
Matt finished first in his age group!

Matt and Nichole came over afterwards and then David came and Sunny decided to come too so basically, we had three Thanksgivings in three days.  Opulence, I has it, for sure!  We also want to support Matt and Nichole so next time they are in town, maybe they'll stay with us.  The kids will love it too :)

Thanksgiving at our house.  Sunny cooked another
turkey! So much food!

Everyone playing Kingdominoes

Nichole was feeling a lot better this day and
had a chance to eat some food

On a less happy note, Joe made it to Thailand just after Thanksgiving and was able to see my mom.  She's still in the hospital and probably will stay there at the long term care ward, where there is help for her.  I hope to be able to go visit in late January or early February.

Hard to see her like this but
I'm glad Joe and my dad are there

As December rolls in, there has been more rain, for which we are glad.  Sesame cat has not been sleeping in his box even though it's freezing outside but he's doing ok so what can we do. The kids have continued to love on him and he comes by the door at least twice a day for feeds.  The next step is to trap him and get him neutered and shots, though he still can't come it because we're all allergic, except Jad who is always very quick to say he is exempt.

He is a cute cat

For advent, the RCC Gang has cooked up another scheme for Xmas.  Spearheaded by Vic, each family has contributed two bottles of whiskey which have been split up into twelve mini bottles for each adult to be drank on the 12 nights before Christmas.  These guys are going to make alcoholics out of us all.

The Connick's alcohol distribution service

Each bottle was designed and hand labeled/drawn by Vic.  I'm not sure if I should be impressed or scared by her OCD.. er, I mean, dedication :p 

Very nice looking bottles.. with a 
labeled sheet for tasting notes too!

Jad's school had a little Winter Wonderland event with crafts and Santa pictures.  We're not big on these things but it's a nice community event so we went to support the school.  It's possible that many of the working parents in the area may not have time for these kind of things and it didn't cost much so that was nice too.

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Jad had his 5 year old doctor visit with Derek and he was fine though his BMI is a bit low on the curve.  Derek encouraged him to eat but I don't think he listened.  Too much focus on playing and not enough on eating, just like his dad.

That's a lot of ribs, dude

Lastly, our church small group has been talking and a lot of us miss gathering in person, something which went away over the last two years.  Virtual meetings are good and convenient but just aren't the same for camaraderie and sharing and the kids also don't get to socialize with each other.  This past week, our entire group got together again and it was great to see everyone and catch up.  I think we'll plan to do it every other week from now on with men's and women's gatherings in between.

Amy made a giant pot of Japanese curry for everyone

Kids all playing together making a giant
mess but totally worth it to see them interacting

Hot Wheel ramps, elliptical, climbing
wall.. all getting used!

I'll leave you this time with the RCC kids after their latest "talent show".  When we've had dinner together, the kids have gotten into doing silly performances and acts.  There is light saber fighting, cartwheels and tumbles, silly dances, drumming on various objects, etc.  They even did a whole play once, though it was not coherent at all. Lots of silliness and sometimes it seems like a chore to watch them but I bet we'll look back on it and miss the cute stage they are in now.

Kids taking a bow after their performance

All for now.  Til next time!