Happy New Year 2018

Since having kids, we stay home during NYE and have a "fancy" meal at home. By fancy, I mean me cooking up some steak and potatoes. 

Maybe Evangie will join our food fest next year

Speaking of Evangie, this little girl is going to be ONE very, very soon! 

 No longer a baby

But still a smiley lady

With a growing tummy

Getting into all sorts of trouble

And messing up her brother and sister's room

And speaking of girls turning a year older, the middle child is turning FIVE in just a couple days!

 Look how grown up she looks!

 My little sous chef

My little (boxed) baker

Ready for Chinese New Year (and her birthday)

In January, the kids learned about death. It didn't seem to affect them that much... maybe they're still too young. Their Grandpa passed away. 

Putting together favors for their Grandpa's memorial

 All seven grandkids at the memorial

We also did some random things to kill time. I was alone with three kids during the last week of Winter Break and survived!

 The trio at B&N

Checking out a new park in Morgan Hill

 I guess Lucas isn't afraid of heights

Fun at home

 Mommy and son (and baby) time at the Tech

Since this might be my only year of not working, I thought it would be cool to take Lucas out of school after his dentist appointment and take him to the museum. He had fun... unfortunately, we had to leave early because Baby was being fussy. Sorry, kid. 

And next up... Charlotte's birthday... then Evangeline's birthday... then rest time! Note: do not have kids birthdays two weeks apart! 

Christmas 2017

Things have been busy lately, but I finally have time to update you on Christmas. Only eleven more months till the Christmas decorations come back again. Woohoo!

Annual Christmas tradition

We've been going to Bethlehem even before we were married. This has become a tradition. It was much easier this year (sorta) since I didn't have to work. But imagine picking up all three kids, getting dinner, going to the Bethlehem showing (roughly an hour long), then going back home. Exhausting! 

Another tradition

We've also been doing this since we were dating. We used to go at night, but learned that it was more fun for the kids to go during the daytime when they can see everything. We went during the beginning of their Christmas break when everyone else was in school. It was pretty empty!

Like their mother, these kids are most likely going to grow up in San Jose

I need to get a Nutcracker in the house for next year

A newer tradition

This is our second year enjoying the perks of being season ticket holders. 

Don't let Jimmy G go!

The older kids are no longer scared of Clifford

School Christmas performance

Each year, the house gets more and more Christmas-y. I love shopping for Christmas stuff after Christmas and grabbing the most random knick knacks for next year. 

 Hello Christmas house part 1

Hello Christmas house part 2

 Christmas celebration with cousins

 NYE's dinner (always red meat)

 Evangie is not amused

New day, happier baby

 My Shinns in a pod

 Visiting Gung Gung at Stanford Hospital

 Matching leggings sisters

 These Hatchimal twins are collecting dust

Merry (very belated) Christmas!

Goodbye, Fall... Hello, Christmas!

Year end is pretty busy. I'm not working this year, so I can't really pinpoint what all this busyness is. I'll just blame it on the kids, especially the baby. 

How I feel on most days...

 Yup, I'm putting all the blame on this one!

Adorable most of the time...

How can you not love a face like this?!

Notice my Christmas themed baby?

Everything is pretty much Christmas around here now... even on Thanksgiving, Christmas was on our minds.

My lil but big turkeys

DON'T MESS!

MOVE OUT THE WAY!

Sending off their letters to Santa

I'm so thankful Bass Pro Shops is only two exits away from us. Thank you for the free Christmas picture with Santa every year. I started my collection in 2015 and it's only going to keep on growing... 

 Christmas is here!

... and apparently so is Clifford

 Survived a crazy night of Christmas performances with a baby

Went to our annual Niners Christmas season holder thing

True fans? Or posers?

 They're going to be fans if Jimmy G is the future of the 49ers

Christmas crafting (whatever it takes to keep them busy on weekends)

Okay, the rest of this post isn't Christmas related. Random stuff going on since last month... 

 My fierce rice and bean girl

 Sisters forever

 Charlotte loves her so much

 She makes Evangie laugh/smile a lot

 Mr. I-Never-Sleep

Lucas doesn't need rest, ever! I don't know what's up with him. Well, at least he doesn't really bug anyone and just comes out at night reading a book. As long as it's not a school night, it's fine with me.  And that's all I can think of right now!