Yvonne and I are grateful for another healthy and fun-filled year with our two boys, Tyler (5 and a half) and Toby (3 and a bit). Watching them grow, learn and play with each other has been one of the main highlights of the year.

The year is closing out with 8 visits to Legoland (definitely making good use of the annual membership!), 3 to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a couple to the Children’s Discovery Museum and various weekend outings to local kids museums and nearby beaches. The big summer event was a 9-week kitchen remodel that we all have been eagerly anticipating since last year. We’re thrilled with the results and have been eager to host small foodie gatherings.

We started the year by continuing the tradition of a family ski trip to Lake Tahoe with three other ‘friendly’ families (8 adults and 7 kids in all). Tyler is doing fine in all day lessons and Toby is already registered for his first ski lesson for our visit to Breckenridge in December. Both continue to enjoy their swim lessons and mastering their bicycles and scooters.

Tyler graduated from Junior K in the summer and has taken very well to kindergarten at nearby Cumberland Elementary School. In his first Walkathon, he managed to win an award for highest fundraiser in kindergarten (gotta love friends with corporate matching!). Play dates with his kinder friends (and parents) are rounding out the year.

Toby’s personality has really shone through this year and he continues to find and define himself as he plays the never-ending game of catch-up to his big brother. Toby has finagled his way into tennis lessons a year early and is showing promise of being a crafty leftie… visions of Rafa and the Bryan Brothers are already dancing in our heads;-)

Yvonne’s seven month Business Analyst contract at Gilead Life Sciences has been extended twice and now looks to be wrapping up in January… maybe. We can’t complain as her hours have been very flexible and she is expanding her resume in clinical trials.

Yes, Stuart is ‘still’ with Adobe although the company is in the midst of going through major business strategy changes that have resulted in numerous lay-offs and acquisitions at the same time. 2012 will be a telling year for him as he continues to evaluate career options while pursuing new and interesting roles at Adobe.

2011 has been a truly fun and memorable year marked by the boys becoming the best and worst of friends. Their ability to entertain themselves for hours on end has now freed up more time for Yvonne and Stuart to ponder about life, the universe and everything. We’re one year closer to having a family game of doubles and a foursome on the links;-)

Wishing you and your family all the best for a healthy and happy start to the New Year!