Tacomawa: Christmas in Austin TX

Christmas in Austin TX

For Christmas, we flew to Austin. This is the first time all of Stephen's family have lived in the same town for many years! (Or at least the same area of suburbs.) Rene and Honey are renting a house while Rene is starting work at Dorney Security, installing and selling security systems. Honey is babysitting her granddaughters during daytime. Below, exploring historic Georgetown with Bailey.

Adam and Melanie are building a new home. We got to tour some of the model units similar to theirs, and see the site with wonderful trees. Right, Honey organized several fun crafts. These Christmas trees are made from old magazines. Stephen invented a more complex pattern than everyone.

Bailey has joined his middle school band, and just earned first chair playing tuba! We pulled out Stephen's old trumpet to play along, and hopefully get the younger kids interested in in playing brass.

We had fun, trying on hats in an antique store, making five kinds of Christmas cookies...

Tippy helped Lukas with the sprinkles. We tried to help in the kitchen too.

The whole family opened presents together on Christmas Eve. We had fun figuring out some of the complex kid's toys, including a bracelet making kit for age 7+ that three adults didn't understand. Finley models her sweet Santa pjs and new baby doll.

 

Honey and Rene were happy to have their three children all together. We stayed up late playing charades and board games.

We took the kids skating at Chaparral Ice Center. It was their first time, and even with wobbly legs, they hated to leave.

Everyone standing up straight! for just a moment!

We had fun in downtown Austin, visiting Waterloo Records, the original Whole Foods, and Amy's Ice Cream.

We celebrated Lukas' 5th birthday early and made an Iron Man cake. Stephen and Rene installed a light so the side of the cake so it lights up like his metal suit.

Lukas helped Ginger roll out the fondant. Super heroes are his favorite!

The whole family on New Year's Eve. Rene & Honey, Stephen & Ginger, Tippy & Markus with Bailey (11) and Lukas (5), Adam and Melanie with Sophia (8) and Finley (2).