Tang Family Visit

Eunice's mom, sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces came to stay with us over the Thanksgiving holiday. This was Spencer's first time meeting his cousins - what a crazy and fun week! Click here for a slideshow.


Click above to play a video of Melody announcing that she's taking an airplane ("feiji" in Mandarin) to visit her cousin Spencer.


When Melody and Valerie arrived, Spencer was fast asleep, so they sat quietly in front of him waiting for him to wake up.


Imagine Spencer's surprise upon waking up and seeing his cousins for the first time. What fun to have big sisters around!


Auntie Jennifer finally gets to hold her nephew for the first time.


Lots of love for Spencer from the Tang family. :)


Jennifer is pregnant with #3 (a boy!), so this is a sneak preview of her not-too-distant future...


The day after the Tangs arrived, we took the kids in strollers to explore downtown San Mateo.


First stop: toddler sing-along time at the San Mateo public library.


Melody and Valerie, getting into "head and shoulders, knees and toes."


We stop for some silly photo-ops before heading out (we have no idea how the little girl on the left got into our picture!)


Spencer, up close and personal...


Valerie, starring in the little-known action movie, "Runaway Stroller"


After grabbing lunch at a sushi restaurant downtown, the kids took naps while we walked through the rose garden.


Spencer loves the weekends because he gets lots of daddy time. Here, Spencer enjoys a bowl of cereal with Dad (i.e., whacking the spoon, launching cereal and milk everywhere).


Melody helps Spencer choose an outfit for the day.


Lots of play time every day...


We didn't know so many kids could fit on Spencer's play mat!


Melody loves holding Spencer...


...even if he might be a little bit too heavy for her!


Ryan uses his storytelling skills while reading one of Spencer's books to the girls.


Jennifer set up a play date with some old family friends from St. Louis that have ended up in the Bay Area as well. Here we are with Wen and his daughter, Emily.


Wen's wife, Wendy, made a fantastic homade meal of sushi and salmon. Mmmmm...


Never a moment of rest in the Tang's schedule: The next day, we hosted some old friends of Jennifer and David's from Mountainview. Above: An impressive parade of strollers and kids!


We walked downtown and bought bento boxes to eat in Central Park.


Later that afternoon, we drove up to San Francisco to meet up with Ryan's dad, Michael, for a walk along the Marina Green.


Valerie enjoys the fall leaves and sailboats at dusk.


Timid at first, the girls had fun meeting Abby!


Michael with his two loves: his grandson, Spencer and his dog, Abby.


Despite her shy demeanor, Melody is actually a total ham. Clockwise from upper left: Melody taking a bow. Melody being scray. Melody being scared. Melody being stern.


Valerie can be pretty silly, too!


After nine days of non-stop craziness and fun, Spencer was sad to see his aunt, uncle and cousins leave. (But we know they'll be back for good some day, right?!)


Parting family portraits: The Nichols with cousins Melody and Valerie.


The Lin women


The whole clan, left to right: Jennifer, Ryan/Spencer, Terry, Melody, Eunice, Valerie, David