Eileen's Birthday and Hanukkah

 Last Sunday was Eileen's birthday!   We enjoyed celebrating together at a Chinese restaurant in Petaluma.   

Last weekend also was Jason's anesthesia work party--it was fun to reconnect with his old colleagues, and think about how much his practice changed since he joined.   

Also, I took Alaina to see the Nutracker in Marin.  We enjoyed the show--her classmates was supposed to be in it, but she was sick so we missed her!

This weekend, we celebrated the beginning of Hanukkah.   Gary and Eileen made Latkes and a stew, and the kids enjoyed opening presents.

The holiday celebrations continue!

Jason is 45!

 Well Jason is now in the thick of his "mid-forties".   On Monday, he turned 45 and we had a nice dinner to celebrate.

He always likes crab for his birthday--but the fishing season keeps getting pushed back, and fresh crab has been impossible to get recently.   However, about a month ago he received some frozen crab in the mail--so it was the perfect opportunity to cook it up.   Jason's parents were able to join and they all really enjoyed it.  (Alaina and I had some pasta!)

For dessert, of course, we had his favorite, mint chip ice cream cake.   And for his present, I gave him a new jacket.

So, not Tahoe, but not too bad either!

Busy December

 And it begins...our most busy month of the year!   

This weekend, we had planned to "get away from it all" and head to Tahoe for Jason's birthday weekend.  Unfortunately, a blizzard was forecast and we decided it was not worth the difficulty of getting up there with the snow (and need to get back for work on Monday).  Jason was a little disappointed, but you can't mess with Mother Nature...

Also disappointing, we had planned to cut down a Christmas tree while up in Tahoe.  Instead, we headed to the Home Depot to get a pre-cut one.   It was pretty sad compared to the one we got last year--needles were dropping like flies from the thing before we even got out of the parking lot.

We enjoyed decorating it anyhow.  The rest of the weekend, we enjoyed doing a lot of cooking and hanging out.   So, not Tahoe, but still a lot of fun family time!

Thanksgiving Weekend

 We have enjoyed the holiday weekend.  this year, we hosted Thanksgiving dinner, and My dad and Marilynn, Jason's parents, Marcy, David and Alexandra joined us.   Jeremy was supposed to come, but unfortunately, he got Covid, so he stayed in LA.  

Jason did a great job with the turkey, butter injecting it with a bone marrow needle I bought home from the hospital, and then smoking it on the green egg.  The kids also helped a lot in the kitchen, which was really nice.   It was quite a feast.  

On Friday morning we met Marilynn, my dad and his hiking friend Gary, wife Mary and their grandson Jax to take a hike to Barnabe peak in Samuel Taylor State Park.   It was a beautiful trail, not too steep, but with rewarding views from the top.  And it helped us work off the last night's dinner!

 

In Saturday and Sunday, I unfortunately had to work, but Jason and the kids enjoyed going to a Quinceanera for our housekeeper's daughter--which was a neat treat--and had a reunion with some of Jason's high school friends.  

Certainly a fun weekend, and a treat for Jason to be off 4 days in a row.   That would never have happened when he was working at CPMC!

The Snyders Come for a Visit!

 Last week the Snyder family visited us from Wisconsin--my cousin Angie, her husband Kurt and their 6 kids: Katie, Julia, Erik, Tessa, Ben and Eliza.   They contacted us over a year and a half ago with plans for this trip--as a cousin on the other side of the family was getting married in Richmond.   What a great excuse to get together!   We haven't seen their family since my cousin John's wedding (though I did see Angie at my mom's funeral).   

They drove out from SE Wisconsin, stopping by our other cousin Anita's house in Denver on the way.   they spent 4 nights at our house--much too short--especially considering the drive--but we had a great time together!

We spent our time together touring Marin.   On their first day, we walked the Golden Gate Bridge, and toured the Marin headlands including battery point, the marine mammal center and point bonita lighthouse.   We got super lucky with the weather--it was a beautiful and clear day.

 

On Sunday, we visited Muir Woods and spent the afternoon at the Stinson beach.   The beach was a big hit for the kids and they all got in the water despite the fact that it was not warm at all!  Luckily we remembered to bring everyone a change of clothes!

  

 

We BBQed with my Dad and Marilyn when we got home on Sunday night--the Snyders brought a TON of meat, so we had quite a feast--not only for dinner but also for every breakfast--sausage, bacon, eggs, the works!

  

Unfortunately on Monday I had to work, but my dad went with them to hike Tennessee Valley and drive to the top of Mt. Tam.   WE had one last dinner together on Monday night before they left on Tuesday to make the long drive back.   It also happened to be Erik's birthday so we got to celebrate that too!

It was such a treat to get to hang out with the Snyders, and get to know each of their kids--who are all amazingly well behaved and sweet.   Only wish it could have been longer!

Halloween

 This week was Halloween.   It was actually the last time that as parents, we had a school Halloween parade--we have been going to them since Ethan was 18 months!   Strangely nostalgic.   

So, we both went to Alaina's parade and then to a classroom party where I helped with an art project.

Ethan was a skeleton, and Alaina after much deliberation, chose to wear a pajama that she already had and go as a son leopard--I bought some ears and a tail to add to the costume.

The kids also enjoyed carving their pumpkins--and of course Alaina carved a bunny!

In the evening, we headed our to trick-or-treat.   Ethan headed out with a group of middle school friends, and Jason and I took Alaina a group of her girlfriends out.

At the end of the night, the candy load was again huge.....definitely a good time was had by all!

Soccer Madness

 The kids have both played fall soccer this season.   This weekend, both had 3 games each, thankfully all locally.

Alaina's team, the "Dynamite" really gelled in the end of the season, and won all three games this weekend, after a season that was somewhere around 2-5).   They are advancing to a championship game next weekend, and very excited.

Ethan's team, the "Donkeys" was the opposite--they started off quite strong, but fizzled out in the end, with  this weekend resulting in 2 losses and one forfeit for not enough players.

He will probably not play another soccer game since recreational soccer ends in 8th grade.   I have to admit, I felt a little sentimental.

His last game was at a beautiful soccer field, that overlooked Mt. Tam and the bay.   Can't think of a more amazing place to play.   That kid sure is lucky.

Anniversary Celebrations!

Last week, Jason and I took a 15th anniversary trip!   We decided to go to Bali because:

1. I have always wanted to go there, and 

2. Jason has frequent traveler perks that I thought would allow for some upgrades. 

It turns out the first reason luckily was a really good one because my plans for upgrades did not really pan out.   But no worries, it was an amazing trip nevertheless.

We left Friday night for Singapore.   The flight was the longest I have taken--almost 17 hours nonstop.   In Singapore, we had a few hour layover before flying to Bali.   

We arrived in Bali and had a 1.5 hour drive to Ubud for our first 4 nights.   We stayed at the Samaya, which was a small resort with individual villas.   Our villa overlooked the Ayung river and was really beautiful.   By this point it was 5pm, and we had been traveling for close to 30 hours.   But we also needed dinner, so we headed into town to eat.   Unfortunately, it started pouring on our way there.   The streets were loud, and very trafficky.   Major place lag!  We did find a great local place to eat, but barely could keep our eyes open.   

We spent the next 3 days exploring the beautiful interior of Bali.   Hilights included touring a rice field, seeing historical villages and temples, seeing an active volcano, taking a bike tour and hiking to a waterfall.   

 

 

 

We also took a cooking class, which included a tour of a local market.   

In addition, we enjouyed some amazing meals (the food scene is really amazing in Bali) and I enjoyed shopping--so many cute boutiques!

After 4 nights in Ubud, we headed to the coast for some beach time R and R.   We stayed at the St. Regis and were treated like royalty--I have never experienced such great service!  although the water was not too inviting for swimming, we did enjoy lounging by the beach and swimming in the pool.  We ventured out the town of Seminyak one night for sunset cocktails and a fantastic dinner as well.

  

Overall, we had  such a great impression of Bali.   The people were so warm and welcoming, the hotels and food were top notch, and the physical beauty of the island was amazing.   We both agreed we would love to return someday!

Our final night of the trip was spent in Singapore, since we had an early am Sunday flight.   We took advantage of the time visiting the famous Gardens by the Bay and eating at a the Newton Hawker Food Market.   

 

Too soon our trip drew to a close.   We feel so fortunate that we were able to take this trip--thanks to my dad who agreed to watch the kids for 10 days!   

Happy New Year

Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  We have had a crazy weekend, but managed to get in a simple dinner to celebrate the holiday.   

I made some delicious Challah, and Jason made his famous Matzoh ball soup.  Gary and Eileen joined and we celebrated together.

Earlier in the weekend, Jason and the kids spent Saturday in Inverness with some friends and went boating in Tomales bay.   They had a blast, it was a beautiful day.   Meanwhile, I was in a hotel conference room in Denver at a medical conference.   :(  Ate least we got to spend the day together on Sunday!