Author Archives: familystoke

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”

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’”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”