Leilani had a lot of fun playing with Grandma Rosemary and Grandpa Jim in Austin.
It didn’t take Grandpa very long to learn the chase-Leilani-around-the-house game. Leilani liked to hike in the pantry, but then always came out because she likes being scared.
How much longer is she going to be a little bundle who likes to snuggle after her bath?
Grandma had a great painting easel for Leilani to play with and the perfect aprons. She painted pictures of Mommy and Daddy hiking on the mountain while we were away.
One night we went out for vegetarian BBQ (don’t ask) and the smarter people got pasta. Leilani likes showing off her bad manners.
And Daddy doesn’t think Mommy was helping. She called this feeding the baby bird.
When Mommy was off shopping at craft-store-heaven and Daddy was babysitting, we played much nicer games like dress up the animals…
… and build the princess castle.
The doll in these two pictures is Madeline, a present from Grandma that Leilani loves. She still loves being read stories, and Grandpa Jim is good at reading children’s books.
Leilani also helps out in the kitchen when she’s in a good mood. Grandma’s hand-cranked cranberry grinder is still as much fun as Andy remembers from when he was a kid.
We got this at a candy store in Fredericksburg for Leilani.
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Big Mistake. She was happy with it, but we weren’t happy with the effect that sugar and artificial ingredients have on her.
And then Uncle David arrived and it was time for Christmas number 3.
There were a few more rounds of presents, and Leilani still had to help Grandpa.
The goggles are for a 3-D calendar of Mars.
David got Leilani a great puzzle, the biggest she’s ever had.
Like many of her toys, she had to try it out right away.
Books …
Huge cauliflower in Grandpa Jim’s garden that we ate later.
And ever since then, Leilani always asks if the cauliflower we eat is coming from Grandpa’s garden.
Leilani likes to help dig holes in the garden and pull up radishes.
… more books …
Another perfect gift from Grandma: (Noah and) animal stickers. We’ve read the story of Noah to her in one of her little Golden Books, and she made this picture all by herself.
… and even more books.
One last family portrait under the Christmas tree. Andy does the self-timer and barely makes it into the first picture.
Our new family tradition seems to be Raclette cheese dinner for the holidays (oops, not pictured here).
Thanks everyone for the great time in Austin.
