Hanging out behind the scenes as a group prepared for a lion dance at one of the libraries — it happened to also be their 1-year anniversary since they redid their branch.

And then they proceeded to go INSIDE to “bless” the library. The coordinator was jokingly saying this is the one time ruckus was allowed.

One of the librarians presented the lettuce offering where, according to tradition, the lion will eat the green and then spit it out which represents the spreading of prosperity and good luck. And yes, it was spit out all over the nicely carpeted library floor. :D

Some patrons were amused and interested in the festivities while others kept doing their thing with the minor annoyance.

Meet and greet afterwards.

Since E goes to a Mandarin immersion school, the lunar year was also well celebrated there during a morning assembly.

Each grade/class had their own performances. They apparently have been practicing since the beginning of school.

Hanging with Teddy, one of E’s good friends this year, for his 7th bday party on a Sunday afternoon…

It was put on by a YMCA branch and they had a couple of Y guys come out and do organized games with the kiddos.

Ready for cake.

Serious boy talk.

We went on a longer bike ride to the lakes downhill from our neighborhood.

Signature E-brows!

Riding the church shuttle back to our car on a cold, dreary, rainy day. But this one had bright flowers to give to his teachers for V-day, courtesy of Grace Church. :)

We went on a local whale watch over MLK 4-day long weekend. Thankfully, it was a bit less stressful than the last one.

It was so cool to spot some as the other one we only saw dolphins.

Go ahead, ask us again if we’re tired of these sunsets yet. Nope.

End of a Soccer Shots season… Our last one before starting league.

H, who lives super close to Legoland, met up w/ us for a little bit.

Daddy was super excited about the Bugatti built entirely with Legos.

It’s interesting, though, that when they go to Legoland together, they would rather chat and snack than do the rides. :D

Then after much convincing, Daddy finagled E to going on Technic again with him. Once (previously) was enough for Mommy!

Using the last of our PJ gift cards that we scored at one of the grand openings.

… looks like it’s becoming an annual tradition and our go-to/drive-to resort. :)

This one has officially shunned ski school. :D He said he’s done w/ lessons and ready to shred all day, all mountain w/ Daddy and Mommy. Hrmmm… On the one hand, we felt proud and yay to not having to shell out an arm and a leg for lessons. On the other, hehe, so “Mommy/Daddy our time” is over. :P

Boarding as a fam was nice… Though we were moving slower and lots of patience was in order. :)

New face mask brought Ninjagoooooo vibes.

He was pretty comfortable on blues, too.

Ninjago brows included. :))

On a high-speed 2 person lift. Mommy snapped a pic on the lift behind.

Woolly, we’ve missed ya!

Jumping pics in snowboard boots is on a whole other level.

Daddy kept teasing that we weren’t catching enough air.

Up at the peak again. Can’t forget that just about half a year ago, the snow was up to the top of that sign and E was sitting on it!

Can’t tell but it was crazy windy.

But he was raring to go.

Then we made the entire trip back in one day with a stop for to-go Chinese in Riverside.

Got back Sunday evening right before second semester of school was starting.