Julian Alexis

It's so beautiful here!

I really like this bridge. Mom says it's not real wood, but concrete sculpture sounds a little far-fetched to me!

I found a good vantage point at the top of the stairs.

But some things need a closer inspection...like pansies!

From inside the mill, you can see the whole park. What a wonderful day!

Cousin Avery and I had a great time playing with each other, but what we really wanted was to go outside!

Our moms finally agreed, and we immediately found... dandelions!

Avery had a wonderful time blowing the seeds all over Uncle Harold's back yard.

And Papa and I went for a walk. Thanks for coming to visit!

The first step in cleaning the house is to steal dada's paper towel while no one is looking.

Step 2: Start dusting. Pay particular attention to things that are not supposed to be dusted with a paper towel. Like dada's tv.

Step 3: Find more dust! I think I see a likely spot over there... On the cat!

Step 4: Relax and show off my handi-work. Don't I look pretty? I feel like Vanna White... or one of those "Price is Right" girls!

Posing with my new Wye Mountain t-shirt.

Papa did his best to keep me from picking the flowers.

Unfortunately for him, I can run really fast.

Ooooh, I got one! Isn't it pretty?

This daffodil has orange in the middle. And look! My finger fits in there perfectly!

Ummm, what's this white stuff?

It seems to be stuck to my mittens...

Mama! Dada! A little help here?

So this is snow, huh? I'm not so sure about this. I have enough trouble walking without any slippery wet stuff underfoot. At least it has melted a little, so it's not over the tops of my boots!

Can you see my teeth chattering? Let's go inside! And someone pull my ladybug hat up. If it slips down much further, I'm going to feel like a pirate.

Happy birthday Mema! Let's see, 1920-2011? Wow, you're 91, and I'm 1! What a pair!

Nana let me borrow her clip-on earrings for the special occasion. What do you think? Too much?

Cousins Rachel and Harold came to the party too. Rachel wanted me to help Mema with her presents, but I was a little leery of Harold.

Uncle Harold wanted to play, but I'm keeping my eye on that bearded fella!

Dad read the new book I received from Nana and Papa: "Hickory, Dickory, Dock". What I want to know: why would a mouse run up a clock in the first place?

I told Nana the story, but she couldn't explain it either.

In the end, Papa said the mouse must like to climb things like I do. Now that makes sense! That Papa... he's a smart guy!

I showed Nana and Papa my pretty Christmas dress. I can't wait for Santa to get here!

I helped Nana decorate her tree. She let me put ornaments anywhere I wanted!

What do you mean these apples aren't to eat? They're apples!

What? I have to be good? ...bag of coal? Nonsense!

Now that's funny! Don't you know I'm a perfect angel?

Merry Christmas everyone! May the joy and love of the holiday season be with you always!

Santa Claus is coming? And he's coming down where? The chimney?

Now that's funny! He can't fit in there! Maybe an elf... but the big guy in red? No way!

Well, we'll see. In the mean time, where can I put this ornament?

Better yet, what's he going to bring? Let's see... I want this, and this, and oh yeah, this thing too!

Grandma kept me in stitches all afternoon. She and Aunt Pat did a great job organizing everything!

Uncle Clarence let me sit on his lap and show off my sunglasses. No one knew they were in the presence of a superstar!

And best of all: after-dinner play time with dad. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!