Tickles from Taylor

A rainbow sighting!

It rained the other day while the sun was setting, which formed the most brilliant full rainbow. Larkin, Logan, and Bailey enjoyed taking in the view from the balcony over Grandma and Grandpa's room.

It's cold, finally!

So the kids stayed inside most of the day and then bundled up this afternoon for a brief session outside.

Lord, Help Us

We did this to ourselves...

Christmas Morning and Evening

The girls got to see what Santa brought them yesterday morning, of which I took exactly 1 photo. I think Marvin got some others that I will try to post later. Yesterday evening after the men folk got back from another hunt, all the grandkids were able to open gifts from Grandma and Grandpa and from each other. It was a joyous madhouse of wrapping paper and squeals for a few minutes. I got a few pictures just before the gifts went out.

The Night Before Christmas

Our first at the homeplace.

At the Panda Christmas Party

M.A. saved the day by attending Logan's class Christmas party a couple of weeks ago when Marvin was out of town and Jessica was teaching. They look like they enjoyed themselves!

Saying Goodbye

Or refusing to say goodbye if you're Logan.

Reading Tonight's Book from the Advent Calendar

Almost done with diapers here...

Sort of. Logan has no sense of urgency to be totally potty trained, and really her parents aren't that worried about her using diapers or pull-ups for awhile longer either. Her teachers, on the other hand, are chomping at the bit to have her in big girl panties. So we're practicing, with some success and many, many accidents. She is pretty pleased to be joining her sister in running around the house in just their undies.

Leaping Frog Christmas Party

Larkin had fun decorating and then eating a gingerbread woman. She then spent most of the rest of the party trying to throw marshmallows into tiny cups with Lucy. She was much better at it than her mother would have been.

Happy 6th Birthday, David!!

We love you, David! You've certainly got your hands full with this crew, don't you?

The Trail of Lights

With most of my hard grading done as of 5 PM, we opted to take the girls to our first visit to the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. It's right across the lake from Austin High, so Marvin and the girls met me after my run this evening at school. Then, we walked from school to the trail. It was lovely for the most part, with the exception of a few minor tears shed as the girls began to get sleepy.

Riding the trike...

And loving Santa, on Friday at school.

Checking out the Gingerbread Village

In the lobby of the Four Seasons just before M.A.'s departure today. We also peeked in on Santa having tea and tiny sandwiches with well-dressed, well-behaved robots disguised as young children. At least, we assume that's what they were since no children under six that we know would be able to sip tea so calmly from a real China teacup (well, maybe Bailey). Goals, Larkin and Logan, goals.