Dinner party anyone?

"Hot dog! We got new porch furniture! Finally. I'm so excited!! Daddy was so excited because it all fit in the back of the minivan. But I'm excited because now we can eat on the upstairs porch. Oooooo and is that standing water on the bench? Yummy! Thanks Grandmother Elizabeth and Granddaddy Bill!" - Beatrice

Cold Spring Tavern

http://www.coldspringtavern.com/

We ventured out today - a walk ("hike") and lunch out with Ian and Laina and the dogs, Mac and Wolfie (Woofie?). Anyway, it was an adventure indeed. A beautiful day (seriously people - you must visit!) Beatrice was very good, though she wanted all of our food at lunch!

It was nice to be somewhere "old" again. Everything in the US still feels so "new" compared to London. I felt like everywhere we lived/visited in London was last updated in the 1850s (with minor repairs now and then, most recently the 1970s). But Cold Spring Tavern definitely qualifies as old!

(from this morning - Daddy and Beatrice sit the exact same way on their knees - this is NOT normal)

Dressing her funny

You know that saying, "You're ugly and your momma dresses you funny"? I finally understand it, at least the second half of it. I LOVE dressing Beatrice up. Today was "cherry" day (see below, and for posterity's sake and stark comparison - I was in jeans, my stolen Grady High cross country sweatshirt, and tennis shoes)


And the best picture of her mad face yet when I told her "No! Do not bite the couch!" And you wonder why I dress her funny?


Yes, Jasandra, she is reading The Economist. Don't worry though, I caught her later reading my 2007 People Year in Review.


Yesterday was rough for poor Beatrice - only unrolling a whole roll of toilet paper could ease the pain.

Beatrice is enjoying all of her new toys, especially her stroller which she drags with her EVERYWHERE.

Christmas Day

Santa came to Benvenue! Playmobile! Bikes! Strollers! Liquor!







All the new parents learned a valuable lesson: Playmobile 4+ toys need to be put together BEFORE Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!

From all of us here in Oakland!

Christmas Eve

The preparation was almost as much fun as the party! Especially getting Beatrice dressed. Her cheeks just got redder and redder throughout the evening.












Almost asleep...