Holiday time with the kiddos

Opening presents and our fresh tree with the kiddos squirming around in front...  More pics to come.

We had a nice time with friends and family this year.  Hoping for another great year!

Preschool pics

Penny's first school pictures of many more years to come...

Max loves Pho

You can hear the sucking action...  It seems he was born knowing how to eat noodles.  This was also the first time we got an extra small bowl for Penny and Max to share!  I didn't know we would get to the point of needing an extra kid's bowl so soon.

It's raining it's pouring...

and Penny got an umbrella

Siblings

Penny and Max play together pretty well.  Penny can get a bit rough sometimes, but she knows that she will get a timeout if she makes Max cry, so she tries to be careful.  Max is learning how to play now, too.  He loves big his sister and he head-butts her to show her his love.  For now, she lets him play with her toys, for the most part, and she has a renewed interest in baby toys (and baby food).  When he starts walking (it looks like it may be soon...) I'm sure it will be a different ball game.

Disney on Ice

This was a fun date for the girls only.  Penny dressed up as Rapunzel and most of the girls were dressed up as some princess.  It is nice to spend time with just one kid sometimes.  I enjoyed the show too!

Dance class

Penny went to a dance class for 6 weeks.  It was nice to have a scheduled activity on Wednesdays, which is normally an open day for us... and of course, she loved it

Grandma visits

We had a visit from Grandma.  She stayed with us for about a week and we all enjoyed having her here and catching up with each other.

Max at the pumpkin patch

We went to the pumpkin patch a second time and here is Max looking a little unsure

Pumpkin patch

Penny had a blast at the pumpkin patch field trip with her preschool.  All of the parents drove their own kids there, so Max and I were there too.  There was a hay ride, a hay maze, a corn box, and of course, pumpkins.  Penny has made some friends at school and seems to be doing well there.

Chillin at the park

with friends.  

pic courtesy of Dust

Brother and sister swinging together

First day of preschool pictures

Penny in front of her school

digging in the dirt

watering the garden

trying out the scooter

hungry... patiently waiting for snack

so hot and tired...just gonna sit alone in the shade for a while

Horseback riding w/ Griffin

We got a groupon type deal for this horseback riding lesson and it turned out to be a fun day for Penny and Griffin

Penny starts Preschool

Penny will be starting many years of school next Tuesday at Valley Parent Preschool, in Danville!  Minkz and I find it hard to believe that this day has come already.

We chose a co-op or parent participation pre-school and we are now starting to understand just how much commitment is involved by the parents at this school.  Basically, the school only functions well when all of the families participating put in time and energy.  We will be working at the school 2 days a month, we have to volunteer for school maintenance work, we have to work on a committee, we have to attend meetings, we have to bring snack for everyone once per quarter,  and we are even asked to take a turn making the play-dough. It really feels like we are joining a community.

Luckily, the first day of school is a work day for us, so I won't have to drop her off and say good-bye because I will stay there to work.  I'm hoping she doesn't cling to me, but if she does, I suppose she will have many other days there (when I may wish she did stick closer to me).  This is the beginning of her independence, peer influence, education, building of social skills, and of course, fun!

pictures to come...

Max crawls fast now...

Max on a swing

Stockholm

Many people were surprised when they heard that we were traveling to Stockholm with the kids.  They either thought we were really brave or really stupid.  In the beginning, when I got a fever and breast infection, I thought we were stupid.  But, in the end, I'm glad we made the effort.  It wasn't easy traveling without a stroller...  We had an umbrella stroller, but Penny ended up using it most of the time.  Max was basically in the Ergo carrier with me 90% of the time (even at night sometimes).

The most important and memorable part of our trip is that we strengthened our relationship with relatives in Stockholm.  They spoiled us by letting us use their homes, car, and baby equipment, hosting dinners complete with traditional Swedish foods and songs, and just being lovely people.

 

First stop, Philly

We visited Grandma and Mike's new home in Pennsylvania for two nights on the way to Stockholm.  It was nice to see where grandma lives.  It is very green and pretty there and the houses are far apart from each other.  We were also surprised at the small roads and small town feeling.
Of course, Minkz wanted to see the Rocky steps and eat a cheesesteak while we were near Philly.

Max eats avocado

Check out Max eating his first food, avocado.  He's not sure if he likes it or not, but he keeps trying it.

click here youtube link

part II click here

Max today

family

pics taken by our 7-year old friend, James

San Mateo County Fair

attack the ice cream!

first time on a teacup ride

guaranteed prize for playing this game!

Max laughing videos

Max has the giggles video

Penny is so funny to Max video

Max, recent pics

repeat pics from twitter

visting great grandma


happy baby yoga pose