An Austin Christmas

We spent the week after Christmas lounging around with my family at a house on the shores of Lake Travis. It wasn't easy getting everyone's schedules to mesh, but for a day or two I think we were all together at the house at the same time.

(Dad-behind the camera, Mom, Evie, Jocelyn, Matt, Trevor, Ali, Penelope, Me, T.J.

Opening presents (for the fourth day in a row). Penelope pretty much had the hang of it by then. 

Cousin Evie lending a hand

Penelope's favorite present was the doctor kit from her R.N. Aunt Jocelyn

Listening for Baby Mary's "ba-bump" heartbeat

Penelope made everyone line up for their checkup.

Penelope's other favorite gift was the cookware to compliment her new kitchen. "I'm gonna cook" is the phrase de jour at our house now.

My favorite gift is this cute little fabric doll house.

Penelope is particularly fond of the toilet.

Penelope and Grandma exploring the back porch of the lake house. 

The EXTREMELY dangerous back porch of the lake house. (The house sat atop a cliff by the edge of the lake, and I was constantly scared that someone wouldn't lock the gate to the stairs and Penelope would decide to navigate the stairs down the cliff by herself.)

Lounging on the porch with Aunt Ali

Evie chewing on Evie

We took it upon ourselves to dress the cousins alike just as often as possible. (I now question the logic of this.)

The plaid get-up

Complete with matching bows

Hey little E!

The jammies ensemble, with complementing pacies.

More matching dresses.

And matching birthday suits

Penelope had so much fun spending time with family, especially Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandpa always tells such exciting stories.

Climbing trees with Grandma

Soaking up the Luv

Penelope sure luvs her some grandparents!

Thanks for all the good times over the holidays Poppy T

and DeDe!

I loved all the adventures we got to go on

and all the mischief we got into

I promise to keep all our secrets

until the next time we hang out together

Thanks for all the laughs

and bearing with me through the time-outs

Thanks for showing me how to feed the ducks

(sorry about eating most of the crackers)

And for bearing with me through the Christmas-card-picture-taking

I'm so glad I got to see my great-grandma Nani

and learn how to feed my baby doll

I loved sitting on my great-grandpa Papa J's lap

(sorry for the wet kisses)

Thanks for playing with me

and letting me touch all the "pretties"

I'm so glad to have my great-grandma Mama J to hang out with

Thanks for allowing me to touch the nutcrackers (sorry about the broken arm)

I wish all my grandparents weren't so far away, but I am sending you my love and can't wait until we can see each other again!

Love, Penelope

The Car

Cousin Cade received this car for Christmas. It was a big hit.

Sharing it was a wee bit difficult for both of them.

Cade won this bout. Penelope pouted in the wagon.

While Cade was napping Penelope soaked up all the alone time she could in the car.

The pensive driver

Saying goodbye was not easy.

Poppy rigged this up so that  both cousins could play with the car.

Even little Ella got in on the action.

"Hold on tight, Little Sis!''

Chillin' in the Coupe

Penelope takes command.

Now this little girl is working on her parents for a car of her own...