After we had an amazing trip with our friends the Zambranos in El Salvador, the kids couldn’t stop talking about the next trip they were going to take together. It was really the group of kids that decided that we HAD to go to California. It has been four years since we have visited theirContinue reading “California Homecoming Nov 2022”
Author Archives: familystoke
AJC’s 9th Birthday- So ‘sus’
When reviewing our amazing year, I’ve realized that I forgot to write about one very special day- AJC’s 9th birthday. This is a very big occasion, 1 year away from double digits and inching ever so closer to pre-teen. Hopefully I still have a few “big kid” years to enjoy before he hits full onContinue reading “AJC’s 9th Birthday- So ‘sus’”
Surf, Skate, Pupusas- El Salvador 2022
One of the most amazing things about living in this small community has been the bonds that we have built with other families. One family we have grown very close with are the Zambranos. The father is Panamanian and the mom is from El Salvador. The kids are right around the same age of ourContinue reading “Surf, Skate, Pupusas- El Salvador 2022”
Buffalove Christmas 2021
Last year due to the pandemic, we weren’t able to travel for the holidays. While our first Christmas in the tropics was a beautiful experience, it was still heartbreaking not to see our family. This year with everyone vaccinated and what we expected to be a decline in COVID, we booked our tickets to Buffalo.Continue reading “Buffalove Christmas 2021”
Easter 2022 in North Carolina
We had enough of a school break for Semana Santa that we were able to travel back to the U.S. for Easter. BC was actually already traveling. He spent an amazing 3 weeks in Chile with his best friend on an epic guys trip. My trip was a close runner up. After Christmas, Easter isContinue reading “Easter 2022 in North Carolina”
Tribute to Grandma Betty
The most special part of Christmas was being able to share it with my grandmother. Christmas was always her favorite time of year, and it filled her with joy to have the house filled with her family. After missing Christmas with her last year due to COVID, we were overjoyed to spend the season withContinue reading “Tribute to Grandma Betty”
Guatemala with Gratitude
When the kids had some days off of school for Fiestas Patrias (Panamanian Independence Day) and the U.S. Thanksgiving, we saw it as an opportunity for a VACAY! We haven’t taken a family trip internationally since January 2020, right before the pandemic (except to go back to the U.S. to visit family). Living in theContinue reading “Guatemala with Gratitude”
PJC’s Retro 6th Birthday
PJC has grown up so much in the past year. January through April were really difficult months as he was experiencing a flare from PANS (brain inflammation due to an immune response). He regressed in everything, had OCD and anxiety symptoms, and zero emotional regulation. It was so hard to watch him struggle. He wentContinue reading “PJC’s Retro 6th Birthday”
Halloween 2021
For the past three years, we have spent Halloween in Panama. Traditionally, Panamanians don’t celebrate Halloween in the same way as the United States. However, over the years, U.S. traditions have become more popular, and the kids here enjoy dressing up and Halloween parties. Especially because we live in an expat community, Halloween parties areContinue reading “Halloween 2021”
First Day of School 2021
Ahhh, summer is glorious. But so is the first day of school (at least for the parents!). This year is especially great because it is the first year that AJC and PJC are going to the same school and will be on the exact same schedule. Their school is AMAZING! It’s a Reggio-Emilio inspired schoolContinue reading “First Day of School 2021”