Dernick Family Photoshoot

There's always a photo shoot opportunity when the whole family is together.  

Dernick Christmas Day

The entire Dernick family got together for Christmas this year, so we had many fun filled events.  Christmas morning is always more exciting when there are kids around.  We saw many super heroes and princesses and then spent the rest of the day hanging out.  We also had our first re-enactment of the nativity story... what a fun tradition to begin!

Joyous Birthday

Another year, another birthday, another excuse to eat all the sushi we want!  Happy birthday to us!

Birthday Dinner for D, J, and Papa Kong at Capital Grill 

A Chinese Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving Day with the Kongs and just a few (50+) other family friends.  Once again we were in charge of the 'American' foods... and we took our job very seriously!

Austin Grand Prix

Another year, another F1 Race.  This time the right person won.  Even the Ferrari fans have to admit they're #2.

Who's the Boss?

After years of waiting and searching and waiting some more, D finally found the perfect opportunity to buy a practice.  It all fell into place and we are so blessed everything worked out the way it did.  First item of business... a group christmas card to introduce D to everyone.

Inner Loop Group Reunion

We had our third annual Inner Loop Group reunion at Memorial Park again.  Since most have moved to the suburbs and no longer live inside the loop, this is one of the few times we actually get to see each other to catch up.  We missed those who no longer live in Houston anymore and hope we'll one day have a reunion with everyone!

Wingman's Wedding

We've been waiting for a while to celebrate our dear friend Wing's wedding day.  He finally proposed to an awesome girl, and we got to celebrate the special day with them.

Another Surgery?

It seems Surgery has been our 'thing' this year.  Dan had eye surgery, but luckily the recovery was pretty quick and painless.  He found a creative way to ice his eye without lifting a finger!

BYU Reunion

It's been a few years since J went to BYU to recruit.  She had the opportunity to be a 'greeter' this year, and stayed the weekend to visit with her dear friends.

BYU campus has changed so much, but some things never change.
The Y is still on the mountain, and  1712 Carroll Hall is still there.

Girls dinner with Mika and Karli. They were J's roommates freshmen year
 at BYU and have remained friends ever since.  All we need is
food and time, and we can entertain ourselves for hours!

Kong Turkey Trot

We got to travel to Turkey with J's family this year.  Turkey has been high on J's list of places to visit, and she had high expectations.  Let's just say our visit to Turkey met and exceeded everyone's expectations.

Just thought we'd document a few funny Turkey moments:

• "We just spent all afternoon wonderling through the wilderness" -- said Mama Kong on Day 2, when we walked forever from the bus stop to Chora church
• "Dan must be more tired since his legs are longer.  They have to carry the weight of his whole body" -- said Mama Kong.  I guess that's because our shorter legs only have to carry half our weight
• "How many people in your group, five?  Oh six?" -- asked every waiter and ticket collector in Turkey when our family approached them.  They never thought to include him in our group... wonder why?
• "Do you want us to push you up the hill?"  -- asked Joy in Goreme when Mama Kong was having some trouble walking back to our hotel.  We did push her up hill as she walked, which supposedly made it an easier walk.

DAY 1:  Istanbul

Hagia Sophia

Sultan Ahmed (Blue Mosque)

Basilica Cisterns - Roman underground water system

Local Turkish cuisine, candy, and treats

Our home in Istanbul was by the Galata Tower.  It was a an uphill
walk every evening, much to the delight of Mama Kong. 

A beautiful view of the Galata Tower that we passed everyday, but never made to the top.  

The ironic thing is, that's the only attraction that actually had an elevator!

And, we may have had our first Shake Shack experience in Istanbul too.

DAY 2:  Istanbul

Our first express bus ride in Turkey was quite the adventure after it dropped us off in the middle of a freeway.  Thankfully, we found a nice Turkish local to show us the way to Chora Church.  He showed us how to jaywalk and cross the freeway, which was a once in a lifetime experience for us!

Walking through a Turkish neighborhood.

Kariye (Chora Church)

View of many of the paintings uncovered under a layer of plaster,

Topkapi Palace - where the sultans and their families lived.

View of the Bosphorus from Topkapi Palace

Street Eats of Istanbul

Blue Mosque at night

DAY 3:  Istanbul

Istanbul Archaeology Museum

Eating a fish sandwich under Galata Bridge

Grand Bazaar

Taksim Square - where all the protests were held to protect this precious
green space in Istanbul.  Of course we had to check it out.  No protests going on today.

DAY 4: Ephesus

View of our morning rush to the airport since our taxi service never showed up.  

The taxi we found seem to think fitting 6 adults in a small taxi is not a problem.

This is allegedly the house where Mary (Jesus' mother) lived 

Ruins of Ephesus - once a great port city with amazing infrastructure.

yes, they had toilets back then and a running water system to flush the waste into the sea.

And, apparently someone loved Elvis back then too. :)

Terrace Homes of the Ephesians.  These homes were huge - multi levels with many amenities that we don't even have in our house today. (i.e. heated floors and huge courtyards)

Homes had wall art and floor mosaics that were so well preserved.  Apparently this house had naughty children who graffitied their own house with gladiator and animal drawings.  

Grand marble street - it used to have pillars lining both sides of the street with a domed covering.

Ancient library of Celsus

Walking through the ancient city of Ephesus

Exploring their huge theater that seats 25,000 people

No trip to Turkey is complete without a visit to the Turkish Rug shops

Temple of Artemeis - only thing remaining is the one column.
However, further across is the site/tower where John was allegedly jailed.

A fun but tiring day trip to Ephesus. We requested for the SUV taxi,
but again had to stick Dan in the trunk.  Sorry Dan!

DAY 5:  Istanbul

Views from our walks of our last day in Istanbul

 Scenes from our Bosphorus boat cruise

 Stopped at Anadolu Kavagi to see the Bosphorus connect into the Black Sea

 Opening to the Black Sea - a very important control point throughout history

 Great view and fresh seafood from the top

 Bought a souvenir from this nice gentleman who made all these jewelry by hand.

 Last stop at Istikal street for some more shopping and food

 Last meal in Istanbul - new age Turkish food.  Everything was delicious!

DAY 6:  Cappadocia

Pending

DAY 7:  Cappadocia 

Pending