Rusty's Backwater Saloon

We can't let a vacation go by without a trip to Rusty's. Ian & I thoroughly enjoyed our Bloody Marys. The best I've ever had of course!

Leila roaring like her friend Polar Bear.

Learning to play foosball. She kept telling Jason to use the same ones she was using from the other side. We need to work on her skills before she turns 4 and can go pro.

The fam with our table full of deliciousness.

Playing in the snow

We barely have any snow here, but Leila likes playing in it anyway. She's not really used to the cold, though, and comes inside after just a few minutes.

Trying to shovel on the back patio.

Look Ma, no gloves! This was followed quickly by the words, "MY HANDS ARE COOOOOLD!!!" Also, this pile of snow was made from shoveling the entire sidewalk worth of snow into one place. What a sad way to end 2011... So much for our plans of snowshoes, sleds and skis this Christmas.

Fun at Grandma's

Leila has been having fun with Grandma June making bubble beards in the bathtub.

Trying to be incognito...

Hiding in her blanket fort in the basement!

Baby Erika

Some Foreign Service friends we know from Taiwan were in Stevens Point visiting some other friends last week. We got to spend a few hours catching up with them and their 1-year old daughter Erika. She's even sporting her new Nepal hat and her mom said she won't ever keep hats on. It's a good sign!

Shoveling snow

It snowed a little bit last night so Leila helped shovel this morning. It isn't that easy bundling little kids up in warm weather gear. One more reason to get excited about Ouagadougou!! Year round swimsuit weather.

Looking Smart!

Christmas at the Meeks Family

We celebrated Christmas with the Meeks' on December 26th! Here's Leila's best Christmas shot.

The first present was wizard robes and magic wands for Lily, Eli, and Leila.

All the kids did a great job of helping the adults open their presents.

Eli opening his new truck!
And, enjoying his pillow pal from Aunt Sara and Uncle Chris.
This is Leila's second best Christmas picture. It went downhill from there.

Mike and Andi and Matt and Kids!

Here's Matt and Lily having a pleasant conversation.
Practicing their mad faces.
And, Lily and Eli roaring like dinosaurs and scaring Matt. Eli was particularly convincing.

Big Meeks Family Pic

We spent the 27th celebrating with almost all the Meeks's we know! This is Great Grandma Charlotte Meeks, Ken, Deb, Matt, Andrew, Jessica, and us.

Professor Leila

Borrowing Granddaddy's glasses for breakfast.

Christmas with the Johnsons

Thanks to jet lag, some early risers, and a human alarm clock named Leila, the whole family was up around 5:15 on Christmas morning. We didn't delay in celebrating, and had all of our presents opened by the time the sun came up!

Leila & Granddaddy in front of the fire.

Showing off her color-mixing glasses

Look, Santa brought a new doll! It's name is still TBD...any suggestions are welcome so we don't end up with a second doll named "Naked Baby."

Santa delivered with a Princess Dress. Just what Leila has been asking for!

Johnson Christmas continued...

This is pretty much how the presents went. Lots of paper flying everywhere! Actually, Leila was incredibly patient and let us all take turns opening presents.

Jason isn't quite sure how to use my new headlamp...

...but Leila's got hers all figured out! Notice it's a Lego man and the feet are the lights. Perfect for nights without power in Kathmandu.

Christmas lunch. Yum!

A family Christmas portrait.

Uncle Ian's here!

Uncle Ian arrived today. Leila went to the airport to pick him up and now he's her new best friend.

Waiting...

Leila & Granddaddy waiting at the airport for Uncle Ian

Here's here!

An attempted snow angel

There isn't enough snow to really play in, but Leila attempted to make a snow angel anyway. It's a good try...

Being silly with Lily

Leila and Lily got dressed up to play Santa. I'm not sure if you can tell, but Leila is Mrs. Claus and Lily is Mary. Anyway, they lined up all of Leila's dolls and took turns asking what they wanted for Christmas. They do look festive!

Another meeting with Santa

Lily & Eli invited Leila along to meet Santa when he came to Uncle Mike's work on Wednesday. Leila battled her jet lag to rally, and had a blast. Here, Leila & Lily greet Santa and his elves.

Sitting nicely on Santa's lap, the girls decided to combine their gift wish lists. Now they are BOTH requesting a pink princess dress, stickers, and a trampoline. Hmmm, hope they can also combine what they actually get and call it even!

Thanks for helping us see Santa, Grandma!

Fun at Grandma's

A friend loaned us this Sleeping Beauty dress that her daughter wore as a child and Leila loves it. She added some of her own accessories and...ta da! A Princess!

Look, there's a CHOO CHOO train in the basement!

Playing at McKinley School

We joined friends at McKinley School this morning to burn off some energy. They had a great time jumping rope, playing hula hoop, field hockey, dodgeball, tag and hide and seek. Here, Leila and Sara Hopp played with scooters (remember those from elementary school? They still have them!). Fun!!