Christmas highlights

We tried to dial down the inevitable flurry of busyness that comes with the holidays. It was a nice Christmas season spent on a few traditions and quality time with family and friends. A few highlights...

Annual tree-cutting

Annual christmas lights 

Frozen-themed face paint for Adele's birthday 

Max and JD became fast friends. They were discussing life's important topics for a very long time. 

When you tell a two year old he cannot eat the cookie you need to make a gingerbread house...

 

Motivating our kids to hike up the Stanford dish with a race 

Fun annual Philly friends visit with Juliet and Andres 

Sweet Christmas eve service

 

 Christmas day

 Living the dream

 

Grandma and Grandpa Chern sure were excited to give us electric toothbrushes



 

Roar! Max is four

Our Max is 4 today! What can I say about this content boy with dimples that we all love so much?

He is easygoing, meticulous, and a peacemaker. He pays attention and remembers details. Articulate and thoughtful, he loves routine and comfort. He is the only brother who can play happily on his own for hours - tinkering with his trains, building duplo lego creations, and singing to himself.

He does have a stubborn streak, but most of the time his sweet nature wins us over. We all love Max. Happy birthday big boy!

Thanksgiving

For memory's sake, rewinding a bit to document Thanksgiving. We had a really great time staying with Grace and David.

Oceanside's claim to fame - this house was shot in Top Gun













This family has four sisters and one brother. You can only imagine the family dynamics...



We missed my Aunt Ivy in the shot but here's a better picture from an earlier visit in the fall



This cutie is destined to be the coolest little dude alive


 Second cousins!



Fleet Science Center in Balbao Park













Top three things I am thankful for this year:

1. Time at home. No matter how infuriating my kids are, I still remember how it felt when I was in the office wishing I could do my days with them.

2. 10th anniversary  

3. My family. In many respects, it has been a difficult year for my family. Yet I have seen them handle their challenges with humility, faith, and generosity. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to come from a family with such character.



Glad there was no stomach flu or stolen purses this year!