Stella's discovery

Stella was very excited when she discovered that she can open the kitchen cabinets - and hey, there's lots of stuff in there! It was all good until she got her thumb caught in the door, right at the end of the video (yes, I put down the camera and ran over). She was fine :).

Julia sleeping

These pictures were taken in the last week. While Stella and I have our afternoon nap, Julia plays by herself in the living room. Sometimes, when Stella and I wake up and walk out to the living room, we find Julia asleep too:

Yes, Julia was actually sleeping in this picture. Stella and I had just woken up from our nap (we nap in the bedroom like normal people do), and the house was all quiet. I went to look for Julia, and could not find her until I looked INSIDE THE TUNNEL. There she was, sound asleep..

The Girls

Julia making cookies.

Stella.

Christmas concert

We went to a Christmas concert at the University of Connecticut (UCONN). It was Julia and Stella's first time at a concert, and it was a lot of fun.

Our friend, Amanda, who was Julia's music teacher last year, did a great job getting all the kids in the audience (and the grown-ups too) to participate and sing along. Here, she asked the kids to go up on stage and help her sing "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer". Julia immediately stood up and walked on stage, without needing any encouragement from us... She is to the left of Santa, shaking his hand:

Julia is the third kid from the left:

Julia's favorite part: the "goody-bag" and the jingle bells that they gave out to all the kids to bring home.

A few more from Bequia

These pictures were taken by our friend Andy (Andy and his wife Marcia accompanied us on this trip.)

This picture was taken from the small plane which took us to Bequia, just as we were about to land.

Julia and I passing time while waiting for our food to arrive at a restaurant.

It was so hot, that Stella spent the whole time in nothing but a diaper, and sometimes a sun-hat, and she was still sweating. I felt a little silly for bringing all those clothes for her, she only wore them in the airport.

A taxi took us on a tour of the island. The breeze in the open-air taxi felt so nice...

Ricardo and I on the ferry, leaving Bequia.

Back home

Julia fell sleep at the kitchen table while waiting for someone to read her a book

"Look mama, it's Christmas!"

A very cute hat and matching sweater knit by Tia Fufu

And now we're ready to head out for a walk

Stella attempting to feed herself

A very relaxing day with my girls

Stella

Julia and Aiyana getting a little fresh air after their first sleep-over

Aiyana was being very patient while I was trying to untangle her hair

Bequia, Part 3

Another view from "our" beach:

We took a ride around the island. This is heading North.

We also visited the Old Hegg turtle sanctuary, where Brother King rescues local turtles. Julia really enjoyed this.

Andy and Brother King.

More views from around the island.

Back at home, Marcia and the girls.

A sunrise from Friendship Bay (taken from our balcony).

Family portrait (for Christmas cards?).

From the ferry, departing for St-Vincent, and the long trip back home.

About to take off from Barbados (aboard a Dash 8-300, the PW100's did fine).

Goodbye Caribbean....

.... we'll be back.