Hanukkah and Christmas

We enjoyed our temple's Hanukkah party, where kids of all ages ate latkes and lit candles on the first night.



A few days later we packed up Maya for her first trip to Florida.


Katie and I have quickly learned that when you show up to the grandparents' house for Christmas, Santa is good to you.



And Mrs. Claus was VERY good to Maya.


However, opening presents and playing with wrapping paper is tiring.


On a non-holiday note, our transition to solid food continues.


While most of the peas and rice cereal end up on Maya's face and clothes, it's a daily reminder that our baby girl (now six-months old) is growing up VERY quickly.

Thanksgiving

Maya had a great Thanksgiving week with the Wayne-Reiner-Chernow-Tacketts in Bakersfield, CA, and especially enjoyed playing with Peanut.



Cousin Mimi also cracked her up.


Even though Katie's family spent Thanksgiving in Dallas, Maya said "ahhhAH" to all of them on Skype.



It was the first time that all the second cousins (and soon-to-be cousin) got together--Justus, Sarah, Maya, Samuel, and Pookey.

The entire group of Wayne cousins (from left to right): Derek, Justus, and Mimi Chernow; Benji, Amy, and Pookey Tackett; Sarah Chernow; Tom Reiner and Laurie Lopez; Larkin, Katie, and Maya; Anne Reiner; Brian, Samuel and Tammy Chernow.

Even the dogs took a family portrait: Holly Chernow, Rootbeer Chernow, and Peanut Tackett.

Maya missed the turkey and trimmings, but Shushu made sure she had her new, daily fix of rice cereal.


This year, we ALL have LOTS to be thankful for.

Playdate with Anna!

We had a great dinner with Matt, Jessica, and Anna Kreager on Saturday night. The girls had a great time sharing toys and entertaining us - and then both went to sleep and allowed us to drink wine and talk!

Below is a picture of the girls from June 20th, when Maya (left) was 11 days old, and Anna (right) was 10 days old.

The photo shoot on Saturday went much better than that first one! (In these photos, Maya is on the right).
Despite this picture, the girls didn't really acknowledge that the other one was there. Maybe next time...

Another week of firsts

Maya accomplished two big "firsts" this past week. On Tuesday, she accompanied Larkin and Katie to the polls to participate in her first election.

On Saturday, Maya went to her first Longhorn game. She lasted about a quarter and a half - which was plenty of time to see multiple Texas touchdowns and feel confident about the victory over Baylor!

Halloween and Camping

Maya's first Halloween was Super! Wonder Woman soars through the neighborhood.

A superhero's proud parents


Uncle Benji and Aunt Amy came to town for the celebration and got into the spirit.

Daddy and his friends showed Maya that grownups can celebrate Halloween too. The toxic stocks--AIG (Marshall), Lehman Brothers (Aaron), Credit Default Swaps (Larkin), and Freddie Mac (Benji).


Even though he's was bought out, Bear Stearns can still dance.


After a quiet Halloween night, Katie organized a man's camping trip to celebrate Larkin's belated birthday. First stop, BBQ in Lockhart.



Then on to some camping in Pedernales State Park.


Eric shows us how to use the bull whip in case a bear attacks.


A beautiful sunset from the campsite.



After a LONG last few days, it was a great weekend.

Maya's week with ShuShu

As I was on my "ultimate staycation" from Tuesday to Tuesday of this past week, Maya spent the the week exploring Austin with ShuShu (Wendy). I think it was one of the best weeks of Maya's life!
During Wendy's visit, she and Maya went to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
They also went to the zoo where Maya loved watching the monkeys play.
Unfortunately, the pumpkin patch didn't turn out to be quite as much fun as the zoo!
Wendy and Maya participated in a Livestrong Foundation 5k to help raise money to fight cancer - Maya's first race!
After the race, ShuShu and Maya went to a Halloween carnival at Brentwood Elementary. Doesn't Maya make the cutest dragon (a gift from ShuShu)?
It wasn't all go, go go. They did spend some time playing at home (here with a musical octopus - a very special present from Dom).


While Maya had a great week, my favorite moment of the week occurred Tuesday morning when I was able to hold her again after 7 very long days. Wendy - thanks for all of your help with Maya during a very long week for me.

Uncle Benji and Aunt Amy arrive tomorrow just in time to go trick-or-treating with Maya!

More pictures from last weekend

As promised, here are more pictures from last weekend.
Dinner with Maya's cousins Ali and Frankie and Aunt Tracy
All the cousins (and Aunt Elenore)
The cutest Longhorn fan ever
A kiss from Grandpa
Hanging out with Mom

Visit to the Park

The entire Klingler family gathered in Austin this past weekend for the UT-Mizzou game. Of course, we forgot our camera for all of the events on Friday and Saturday. We will post pictures of Maya and her cousins soon.

On Sunday, we walked down to Brentwood Park with Aunt El, Uncle Rob, Grandma, Grandpa, and cousin Megan. It was a beautiful day. Maya enjoyed the swings; she wasn't too sure about the slide and touching the grass, though.

Maya's first time on a swing with Aunt El
Megan and El playing in the pebbles

Enjoying the sunshine with Mom and GrandpaFirst slide with Mom

Very content just hanging out with Grandpa
A video of Maya swinging (another one that I can't figure out how to turn vertical.)



Grandma and Grandpa Klingler leave tomorrow and Shu Shu arrives as I start my isolation due to my radioactive treatment. We have been well taken care of this past week by my parents, and I know that Maya will be in excellent hands this week with Wendy here. Larkin has been my rock over the past 7 weeks. This next week will be tough as I can't hold Maya, but I will get through it.