"First" Haircut

Leah had her first haircut in America today.... poor thing thought she was going to my brother's for Thanksgiving dinner which she was, but she also had Aunt Sue give her a trim while the whole Brehaut/Porter clan watched! She was less than impressed- and I am sure she does not have pleasant memories from the "buzz cut" she had at Bal Asha. Anyhow she has more of a bob now and less of a mullett!

Thanksgiving

Leah's first Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. She kept us all entertained and our progressive dinner worked out wonderful. We even lived on the edge and kept her up until 7:30 pm at the Michauds for dessert, although as you can see she came in her camo pj's to inspire the hunters! Her 2nd Thanksgiving with the Porter/Brehaut clan will be on Sunday so she is really getting to see what this American holiday is all about.

Conar and Whitney sharing their dessert with Leah

Skyping with Uncle Anthony and Grammie Carla in Arizona, while I sit on Great Grammie's Lap

I played football while others were watching it....

Getting ready to walk over to the Moores for round one!

26/11

Daddy and Leah on Marine Drive where the terrorists came ashore...

The Taj Hotel, one of the Hotels under attack last year at this time...

A year ago today we were glued to CNN watching the terrorist attacks on Mumbai unfold and waiting to hear from our contacts in India that our daughter, whom we had yet to meet, was safe and sound in her orphanage in Mumbai. Thankfully before our meal was served we heard back from Minal and Sunil that Leah Aasawari was fine and that Bal Asha was not near the attacks.

Today Leah is here watching the Macy's parade with me and disrupting my Black Friday sale flyer reading while Daddy is of course, out hunting.

What a year... we have never had so much to be THANKFUL for

Leah's first Thanksgiving will be later today when the men are home from hunting. We are doing a progressive meal with drinks and appetizers at the Moores, main meal at our house and dessert and coffee at the Michauds. Stay tuned for pictures.

Confidence

Leah has no lack of self confidence, infact, she may even be a bit cocky... this video demonstrates a bit of this... we did not teach her this, we were trying to teach her how to say I LOVE YOU, but instead this "habit" has developed....

A True Maine Girl...

Yes, we are rednecks. "Uncle" Rick shot a buck this morning and so Leah got to "meet" her first dead deer. We hurried over with the camera and with Michelle and Megan who are on Thanksgiving vacation. Here are a few pics... mostly so Grammie Carla in Arizona can see it and Daddy who is working away. Leah kept "petting the dog"!

Hampden Basketball!

Wrong sport Leah... soccer season is over!
Playing in "the stable" post game...

My first tootsie pop... as you can see more went on her shirt than in her mouth!

Brent and his ladies!

The biggest Hamlin great grandchild and the smallest!

Winter sports have begun here and so begins our last season of watching "BIG" cousin Jacob (he's 6' 6") play basketball for the Broncos- next year we will have to become Bentley fans to watch him play! He did a great job- he had 2 dunks on Saturday afternoon!
On Saturday we went to the first scrimmage of the season- Leah had a blast playing with fellow H.A. fans Maggie and Brent and visiting with Anna and Whitney! We are not sure how many games Leah will make it to since they tend to start at 7 and as we know Leah is usually fast asleep by then!

Pictures courtesy of Jacob W. Metzler

17lbs!

My first size 12-18 month jeans! I am getting big!
Notice this gorgeous sweater, our close friend Jane York, knitted it for Leah- what talent!

The Good Night Moon room at the Children's museum...

Planting a garden at the museum... the best part of this exhibit- it plays "The Garden Song" by Maine's own Dave Mallett!

Let me out of here!

Leah did it! She is finally over 17lbs and she is 30" tall! We had her 2 year well check up and the doctor was impressed with how she is doing not only with growing but developmentally as well. We will go back in January for another weight check and in March for the rest of her immunizations. At that point she will be all caught up with "regular" kids with her shots. Here are some pictures from this week.