Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year, and we hope you did as well!

Olivia was a lot of help decorating our house. She loved all the snowmen and pretty lights!

new baby doll - Olivia has named her "Nina." She feeds her all the time, and though she's not had a stitch of clothing on since Christmas morning, we think Nina is good practice for upcoming little brother! :)

A new bicycle for Christmas! She was very excited. It has a seat on the back for her baby (or kitty) and a basket in the front for her puppy!

She even has her name on her license plate! Stylin' girl.

So proud of her new bicycle.

Grandpa and Grandma (Tim & Kathy Lickliter) came to visit for Christmas, which was lovely. We took them to the Hula Hut for dinner. It's an Austin original restaurant right on the lake. If it had been warmer we would have eaten outside...next time! I think it's our new "go-to" spot to take visitors! Good food, good prices, good view!

Riding on the path. That baby seat in the back actually turns out to be a great hand-hold for Levi to help her slow down on the hills! Olivia is not a fan - she yells back at him, "Let go, Daddy! Let go so I can go fast!" 

...I'm thinking of investing in knee pads based on her love of speed. Maybe a whole-body pad. She hasn't fallen yet, so that's a plus. We've taken her on the paved path by the storm overflow creek in our neighborhood several times, and we're teaching her to "stay on the right!!" so she doesn't get run over by much faster cyclists...she still gets distracted by the scenery and turns her bike whereever she looks, but she's getting better!

Thanksgiving 2011

This was our first Thanksgiving in Austin, and the Jacksons (Levi's parents - Joe and Melba) came to celebrate with us.

Levi and I cheated when it came to cooking, because I had to work the holiday (though it was nothing like working through the holidays in Residency, thank goodness!). So the Honeybaked Ham store made our meal for us! It was yummy - sweet turkey, creamy green bean casserole, whipped mashed potatoes, and to-die-for sweet potatoe souffle! I did make dessert - pumpkin cream cheese rolls and blackberry cobbler. I think we all ate more than enough food - as to be expected on Thanksgiving!

We had to take a post-meal walk, and of course, ended up at the playground by our house...

On Friday, Levi, Joe, Melba, and Olivia went to the park. It looks like they had fun!

On Saturday we all went downtown. It was sprinkling a bit, but for those of us who have been living through a drought all summer, it was a welcome relief!

Fun times!

*~*~*

One more picture, because it's just beautiful and I can't resist. Thank you to Levi, who made it happen!

such a lovely, lovely girl!



Tim & Kathy Lickliter's Visit

Next up in the family visiting line up are Tim and Kathy Lickliter (my dad and step-mom). They stopped by for a few days on their way home from visiting my grandparents in NM. Unfortunately, I had to work for two of the days that they were here, but Levi was a great host and made sure they had things to do.

And of course, Grandpa and Grandma brought Olivia a surprise:

Wonder if the ballerina bear will replace Kitty as the stuffed animal of choice (also a present from them)? We shall see...

The first morning was spent swimming, then lunch with me, then relaxing at home until we all went to dinner at Chuy's - the closest thing to "real" Mexican food that we've found so far in Austin. :)

The next day they all rode the train into downtown Austin. We'd been meaning to do it for a while but never had...Levi said that Olivia was really excited for about the first five minutes. :P

While downtown, they went to the Children's Museum, which is very hands-on, as you might expect. Levi compared it to Chuck - E - Cheese, in the amount of kids, activity, and chaos. I'm not so sure I'm sorry I missed it...lol. Not really. I'd much have rather gone with them than stayed at work all day!

digging for dinosaur bones!

It was a short visit, but a good one! I think everyone had fun. 'Till next time!

Melba and Tammy Jackson's Visit

This past week, Levi's mom, Melba, and his oldest sister, Tammy, came to visit. They were our first visitors since we moved to Austin! I think they had fun...swimming in the mornings, playing in the afternoons. We had dinner at Chuy's one night, an Austin original restaurant. It was very yummy!!

I think they liked our house, and enjoyed the visit. Especially with Olivia! :) She kept them occupied...and they helped to wear her out!

Next up for a visit: Levi's middle sister, Joanie, and her husband Chris! They will be here this weekend!

NM Vacation 2011, Part 3: Roswell

The final leg of the NM vacation was in Roswell to visit Papa Joe and Grammy (Joe and Melba Jackson -  Levi's parents) and Levi's sister, Joanie Weber. It was a long drive from Cliff to Roswell, and once again, Olivia was a trooper.

Also, once again, Levi and Charity had to stop at a yummy Mexican restaurant for dinner! There just is no comparison to good New Mexico-style Mexican food!

They arrived in Roswell too late to do much but visit for a few minutes and then go to bed. The next morning, however, Papa Joe took everyone out to feed the cows on the ranch. He put Levi and Joanie to work! :)

Levi had to check with Joanie to make sure he was doing it right!

Then they all went for a ride around the ranch.

 "Mommy, those big puppies are mooing!" - direct quote from one cute little Olivia Jackson

Olivia and Grammy

Olivia and Aunt Joanie

In the evenings everyone relaxed outside. Olivia played in the kiddie pool because it was hot!



Finally, Olivia got to ride a horse for the first time! She was such a big girl...first she rode with Grammy...

And then she rode with Charity...

And then she rode all by herself!!

Such a big girl! She really didn't want to get off of the horse after that...