Future BFF's (best friends forever for the old folks out there!)

We went to Renae and Daniel's house this afternoon for a picnic with our fellow Nepal-bound friends. The kids had a great time playing in their backyard. Here are twins Aferebea and Aya, who are not-so-terrible-two-year-olds.

Here is the other Lila, who just turned one. Our Leila quickly made herself right at home by eating Cheerios out of both of their cups.

A swimming video

So it's not the most exciting video in the world, but we thought you'd like to see Leila in action.

Swimming!

We recently discovered that DC has 19 public outdoor swimming pools that are FREE to DC residents. Who knew? We took advantage of a beautiful, sunny Saturday to try out one of them. Leila had a great time, although she kept trying to dive out of our arms and swim by herself.

After we got out, Leila reminded us about the time she accidentally stuck her face in the water without closing her mouth, resulting in a little gagging. Oh yeah, that happened when we first got in the pool...how could we forget.

A few more Wisconsin shots

Leila stopped over at Lily's house (since it's approximately 5 steps away from her Grandma & Granddaddy's house!) yesterday morning to check out her toys. Since the girls couldn't agree on who would play with this push toy, they found a compromise. Looks like Lily got the better end of this deal!

The Johnson family!

Airport toys

Keeping her occupied

Leila's backyard fun

Grocery shopping at Grandma's

Leila has figured out that Grandma's house is a great place for shopping. She takes the applesauce, granola bars, and other assorted goodies out of the cupboard and into her shopping cart. Here, she browses the selection.

Uncle Ian helps her pick out the best treat for babies...applesauce (which Leila is now saying very clearly!).

QUACK QUACK QUACK QUACK

We brought some bread down to the river so we could feed the ducks. Most of the ducks heard two toddlers yelling, "Quack, quack, quack" and running towards them and (smartly) swam away. This family decided to stick it out and taste the breadcrumbs.

Leila pulled Lily along by the hand trying to get her to hurry and get to the ducks.

Playground with Lily

Leila and Lily met at the playground yesterday. Here, they are checking out a bubble.

They barely put up with the cousins photo shoot.

They loved going down the slide together.

They had fun on the swings.

Leila even tried out the big kid swing with her Grandma, but decided it wasn't for her.

Lunch at Rusty's

No trip to Stevens Point would be complete without a trip to Rusty's Backwater Saloon for Bloody Mary's and Sweet Potato Fries. Leila enjoyed the fries, but couldn't decide between a Bloody Mary and a beer. In the end she settled for her juice.

Reading with Uncle Ian

Leila and Uncle Ian spent some quality time reading books together this morning.

"I'm having fun too," says Jason

Okay, so not as much fun as the girls. But, Taji and I went to the coffee shop this morning and got a couple (4) hours of good studying in.

Then, in the afternoon, as I was returning from getting Taji more dog food...
I saw it... FINALLY. I've been waiting two years to catch this sight and I finally saw it.

This is Marine One taking President Obama and family to Camp David for Memorial weekend (I think).

Memorial weekend in Wisconsin

Leila and I left Jason in Washington and flew to Wisconsin for Memorial Day weekend. It was a very easy, uneventful trip and we were here by 10am!! Leila had a fabulous day playing with Grandma, Granddaddy, and Uncle Ian. She LOVED all the new (well, new to her!) toys that Grandma found for her, especially a Lego table that we put sand and water into. She also learned how to YELL "MAMA" and "EEEE" (for Ian), will hug a tree (really popular with Uncle Ian, who is not exactly the tree-hugging type!), tries to whistle, says "hiding" and sort of hides behind a chair, and has been giving kisses to everyone who will overlook her runny nose and kiss her back. Here she is enjoying making a mess in the back yard.
Learning how to "brush it off" when she gets dirty!

Crazy hair!

Leila woke up from her nap with some crazy hair. Maybe it will get long enough for barrettes one of these days...

Matching shoe day

Grandma has been looking forward to wearing her red Keens with Leila. It's a good look for both of them! Here they are playing in the garden. Leila has taken to sitting on this rock.

A close up!

Swings!

Unfortunately the camera battery died before we got shots of Leila on the swings, but Ian and I were caught on camera practicing our synchronized swinging.

Taking Pictures

Congratulations!

Leila would like to give a shout out to her awesome Uncle Chris who graduated #1 in his class from George Washington University Law School today. Way to go!!!

Celebratory picnic

We celebrated Chris's graduation with a picnic in Rock Creek Park. Here the Meeks and Gullicksrud families enjoy some BBQ.

Leila just hanging out with her parents.

Leila posed with Uncle Chris & Aunt Sara.

Taking a walk with Grandma & Grandpa (and trying to keep her dress clean until after all the pictures were taken).

(Not Leila but) Chris's award's ceremony

By popular demand, here are some pictures from Chris's award's ceremony.