Grandma and Grandpa sent the kids a package yesterday. Guess who was home when it arrived? Yep--the little girl with her new socks and new car. The car may have been intended for her brother, but she is rather possessive of it right now. Her "fingers" (two fingers pretending to be people) like riding in it.




The socks are handmade by Grandma and just fit!






Alia loves reading the newsletter each month. Here she is devouring it...oh, I guess it's a tootsie roll she's devouring (we actually had to take a couple of photos to get a non-chewing picture!).

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!












This is somewhat random, but I've had a hankering for Chinese dumplings, so Elena and I made some. They are stuffed with leftover venison barbecue meat, so definately not traditional flavor, but they were easy to make and yummy to eat. They are just a simple bread dough that is rolled out, filled, and steamed to cook. (The one odd one on the left was baked in an oven--my steamer wasn't big enough for more than four!). --J.