2020 keeps on coming, and it’s only July

Well, it’s been...interesting over the past several months with shelter in place, homeschooling, and full time work during the coronavirus pandemic. Not to mention necessary societal upheaval and a hopefully sustainable fight for social justice.

I have a lot to say about how things have been, but maybe I’ll just post a lot of pictures since it’s been much easier to try to document life lately when you only see 3 other people everyday. 

Can’t believe we’re not even close to being out of this - it will continue to be a wild ride, I am sure. 

We also celebrated Justine’s 3rd birthday and Spencer’s kindergarten graduation in the past couple of months - as joyous and exciting as we could make it. (And of course my and Chris’ birthdays and a million other days in between...)

Onward into the second half of this insane year. We’re not ready for you exactly, but we have a whole lot to be grateful for and will move forward each day as it comes. 

Turning 6!

Spencer turned 6 this weekend, and it was a great birthday.  He had a party at the bowling alley with a lot of kindergarteners, ate some of his favorite foods, and opened a lot of new gifts.  At 6, he is truly an old soul, always trying to count his money and planning for the future: "$200,000 for college?! Just to learn information? Really?"  He also still loves the outdoors and exploring, as well science and experiments, and is even asking for more math problems at school (wonder how long that will last?).  Reading is coming a bit slower for him, but he has made a lot of progress this year and is super proud of how many pages he can work through in Green Eggs and Ham.  And while they certainly fight and battle, he is extremely thoughtful about his sister, even thinking about how many of his birthday balloons he can share with her as soon as we get home from the party. Before wrestling them away a few minutes later of course. (And in return Justine's first thoughts are often about him and following him around.)  2020 is definitely a year with a big kid and true elementary school student -- I can't even believe we are here.

Quick pictures:
Before the birthday, we had a ski trip to Lake Tahoe with our friends Kelly, Colby, and Io:

A few fun Bay Area adventures:

And a bowling extravaganza to celebrate the birthday boy (in addition to In-N-Out and a quick beach trip):

Into a new decade

Every year has gotten busier since we had kids, with new things to experience and adjust to as a parent.  2019 certainly wasn't in sync at all (or maybe even most) times, but perhaps we are starting to let go slightly more as parents -- so I will call it progress, even if minimal and fleeting.  As hard as winter break can be in terms of events and sugar and trying to make special memories for your kids, I did enjoy some real moments of pure happiness in the midst of chaos.  I am grateful for kids who really enjoyed the holidays, and hopeful they are learning the importance of spending time together even when things get crazy.

Spencer wishes you a Merry Christmas from "Connor and Donner and Pixen," despite a disappointing realization that Frosty was a smoker ("With a corncob pipe... Wait, Frosty's smoking!?).  And Justine was thrilled to see Christmas lights in the city, especially "Daddy's Christmas lights" on our house every day when we drove home from school.

Here are some of the pictures from our holiday, and are looking forward to another great decade ahead.

Our first ever professional family photos taken in Golden Gate Park in November (more than 5.5 years in, but better late than never):

Thanksgiving in Maryland with my parents and sisters (and lots of cousins and friends -- many not pictured!):

Picking out our tree at Santa's tree farm (Justine would not go near Santa this year):

Xmas jammies and Xmas eve outfits in front of said tree:

The big morning frenzy (including crazy faces and hair), with Chris' parents here to celebrate with us:

End of the year sunsets, while enjoying spending time with friends in LA:

And a day trip to Disneyland to cap off 2019 (all around some big changes from how we spent New Years at the beginning of the decade!). Justine loved it, as evidenced in the second picture (not the first), and Spencer rode the bobsled "rollercoaster" for the first time. 

We will the 2 people who read this blog best wishes for a Happy New Year!