Precious Cousins

This is our first visit to Vicksburg that Logan and Mary Claire have really been old enough to interact. They are intrigued by each other, and it is absolutely adorable. Happy Thanksgiving, indeed.

We made it!

Hitting up the toy box in John and David's room made up for the nine hours the girls were stuck in their carseats yesterday.

Catch Air with Friends

On Saturday I took Larkin, her friend Lucy, and Lucy's brother Jude to the place we have booked for Larkin's birthday party this year. On the exact opposite end of the spectrum from last year's quaint little farm, Catch Air is all bright lights, loud music, and tall things to climb. While I certainly had a headache by the time we left, the kids had a blast.

Last Day of Soccer

For this season anyway. Larkin's already asking when lessons start up again. She got a medal and a certificate today for completing her first season. She was pretty proud.

Monsters' Inc Movie Night

It was a big hit around here.

No More Mr. Nice Larkin

Monday Morning Snuggles

Greta ' s Birthday Party

We went to a fancy birthday party this afternoon at a restaurant called Weather Up for Larkin's friend Greta. Her mother is the chef there, and her dad has worked with Marvin on collaborations between Foodways TX and UT Press. They know how to host a kid's birthday party so that all are happy--a bouncy castle, a painting table, a huge cake, roasted chicken and veggies, and an open bar (juice for the kids and "juice" for the parents). We all had fun, though we're a little worried Larkin stole some sips of an Old Fashioned while scarfing down her cupcake. She was either drunk on sugar or drunk on "juice" on our way out. Delirious giggling, stumbling, the whole bit. Surely she would have spit out an Old Fashioned had she mistakenly thought she was about to take a swig of apple juice, right?!

Helping Logan Brush Her Hair

And then striking a solemn pose for some unknown reason.

Matching Sisters

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cousin Mary Claire!

Love, your partner in crime Logan (and Snoball, too).

Cousins Around the Tablet

Their comraderie is sweet, but the fact that it's based on whether or not the tablet is on is just a wee bit disturbing. Nevertheless, it makes for a cute picture!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Love, all your princesses and princes (who are really good sports).

Down by the Riverside

We went to a baby shower for Marvin's cousin David and wife Jennifer today at the Castroville Regional Park. The Medina River runs along the edge of the park and was flowing relatively swiftly due to recent rains. We enjoyed hiking down to the water to check out the cypress trees and hanging moss, and Marvin got to give the girls a history lesson about the first Bendeles in the U.S. settling along these same banks. Pretty nifty.

Attempt at a photo

Larkin as photographer, Logan as uncooperative participant.

Drawing rainbows after swim lessons

Musical Instruments at School

Sunday Runday?

Apparently so for Logan.