I hope you’ll forgive us, but as we recap this past year, we probably need to start at the end of 2021, after last year’s cards were mailed. Over the holiday break we met up with three other families in Los Angeles and took a Carnival Cruise to Mexico. Apparently we are now in the “family cruises” stage of our lives, as the kids can’t stop asking us to book another one. In fact, the kids loved it so much they convinced us to take a cruise on the same boat (the Panorama) on a slightly different itinerary over Spring Break. We had dance parties, did ropes courses, competed in trivia contests, salsa making, and soccer tournaments, fun excursions, including camel riding, swimming with dolphins, whale watching and zip lining.

We also took our first overseas trip, traveling to Portugal in the summer. We spent time in Lisbon (taking in many, many touristy sights) and in the Algarve (along the southern coast), and attended an anniversary party for our friends in the cute little walled town of Estremoz (we visited Evora as well). Highlights include parasailing, staying with Clark's BFF's family (where we celebrated July 4th), and seeing friends in Lisbon.

We spent Memorial Day at Yosemite with three other families. We had the chance to see the gorgeous sequoias at Mariposa Grove, and hiked to the top of Vernal Falls.

We also enjoyed time with family in the Midwest this summer. We had a fun day at an amusement park with Kevin + Whitney's family, screened movies in Brad + Jocelyn's home theater, had a bonfire with Uncle Brian, bowled with Michael and Kim's family, and visited the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago with mom (Nana). And of course the kids spent lots of time in the water; on Long Lake in Lake Orion and in the pool with cousins. We also took the kids to their first concert, Lollapalooza in Chicago, so that they could see one of their favorites, Dua Lipa.

Both kids are doing well academically, and they're both in the oldest grade at their school (Rex is in 8th, Clark is in 5th). Rex’s favorite class is Japanese, and he’s hoping to get admission into San Francisco's most academically challenging and intense school, Lowell HS, next year. He’s also enjoying chess club and an “integrated crafting” class from his Japanese teacher, where he’s learned to sew. Clark is a social butterfly, loves art and math, has written some great stories, and is a Student Ambassador who helps make sure everyone is getting along on the playground. On weekends Clark loves riding the bus with friends to go get boba tea.

The kids have found sports that they love: Rex continues to play water polo with the San Francisco Water Polo squad and Clark is now really into figure skating (and is working on a half axel right now).

Steve continues to be Mr Safety, working at Rimkus (who bought the smaller company he’s worked at for 20+ years) and Sara moved jobs, from TikTok (a huge Chinese company) to Walmart Connect, the ads offering from the largest American private employer.

We hope you are well, and wish you a happy holiday season and an amazing 2023!

-Sara, Steve, Rex & Clark