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December Beginnings in CA

Our December started out BIG.  Trips to California to visit family are always an event, but this one felt bigger in a number of ways.  First, we went to my parents house.  But then, we left our kids there for FIVE days!  This was the longest stretch by far that we have ever been away from our kiddos.  Thankfully, they had some good time with their grandparents and lots of new adventures.



The other big thing was that we left the kids so that we could go to a close friend's wedding.  We road-tripped from San Diego to San Jose giving Phil and I some time to ourselves that has been a rarity especially in light of all the business trips he had in November.  Phil was also a groomsman so there was lots to do to get ready for the wedding including setting up for the reception, going to the rehearsal dinner, posing for photos, etc.  We were able to hang out with some close friends from college that we hadn't seen in a while and reminisce on old times.

We had the job of setting up the garland for the reception.

The groom (Lem) contemplating his empty ring finger at the wedding rehearsal.

While Phil was getting pictures taken with the rest of the wedding party, I got to hang out with some of my close friends from college that were also in town for the wedding.
Us at the reception

More friends!

The wedding was beautiful, and we are so excited for the Bride and Groom.

Not the best picture of Lem and Shannon, but the best one I have.

December is also a busy month of birthdays and other holidays.  After the wedding, we went back to San Diego to be with my parents for the remainder of the week.  Our dates overlapped with my grandmother's and my dad's birthday so we were able to celebrate their special days with them.  We also got to celebrate Quito day which is an Ecuadorian holiday (my dad grew up there) which included eating some of my favorite cultural food of Ecuadorian ceviche and empanadas.  Since it was December, we also opened Christmas presents there with them since we will not be with them over that holiday.

Me, my brothers, and dad

Great-Grandma opening her birthday present

Siblings with next generation siblings

Grandma with her grandsons

It was a fun trip!
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