A fun holiday season already

Joshua turned 10 months this week. He is excited about it as you can tell in this photo.

Hanging out with Daddy in front of the Christmas tree.


On Friday, Joshua and I went to have lunch with Auntie Joyce and Tyler in Burligame. Tyler happily slept through lunch and Joshua enjoyed his sweet potatoes, Italian bread and polenta at the Italian place we went for lunch. It was a fun, rainy afternoon.

Joshua loves to tear paper and was having a great time with this place mat.


On Saturday late morning, we all headed to the Ferry Building in San Francisco to meet up with Rebecca and her best friend, Kristen and family. It was a big family affair with the Yungs (Jeff, Joyce, Madeline and Tyler, the Shahkars (Shahien, Alyson and Gabriel) and us.


Auntie Rebecca holding Tyler with Joyce and Madeline

The San Diego contingent with Rebecca, Annika, Francesca, Kristen, John and Alyson in the foreground.

Dave, Joshua and Jeff shooting the breeze

Auntie Rebecca is always good with the kids, including playing with Joshua.

Alyson, Gabriel and Rebecca

Monkey had to be bundled up on the cold rainy day, and willing wore his hat and mittens.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed to Rockridge to meet up with another group of families. Originally we were supposed to all go on a boat around Lake Merritt to sing Christmas carols. Unfortunately, due to the hard rains, the boat trip got cancelled. So, we went to a bar/restaurant instead. I think the wait staff and other patrons were a bit scarred when 13 adults and 6 children (5 of them 2 or under) walked in. However all the kids were great and we had a really fun time. One patron who was with his buddies at the bar made the effort to come over as we were all leaving to ask us "what kind of drugs do you give your kids to make them behave so well. I swear I didn't hear a single cry out of any of them." I just told him we were blessed with good kids!

Joshua with Auntie Jackie

Joshua ate an amazing amount of food on that day including all the cheese out of a grilled cheese sandwich ordered just for him. Even the waitress was impressed. We definitely think he is in the middle of a growth spurt.

The Dinsmores - Chris, Annette and Leila

Angie, Dave and Joshua. Thanks to Angie and Jim for organizing all of us. Thanks to Mike Caughlan, we even sang Jingle Bells before leaving the bar. People thought we were a bit crazy, but who cares. :)