Charles and Amy
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Kai and Kiera Performing
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Granddad and Kiera
Charles and Amy had a major remodeling project this year, especially a new kitchen. That was a major part of the project, but certainly not all. The former garage, enclosed in a somewhat ham-handed manner by a previous owner is now a real room, with an office area for Charles, a TV with all that entails these days, and a sofa bed to accommodate visitors. Adding a half bath was a major improvement for guests who get up during the night.
The kitchen acquired new appliances and greatly improved cabinetry. Amy now has her own desk adjacent to the breakfast nook. The latter was expanded by pushing out a wall, requiring the sacrifice of a prodigiously fruitful lemon tree. Finally, the wall into the dining room was opened up, making everything seem much roomier.
With Charles's and Amy's desks moved from the second bedroom, both kids now have their own room, though strangely, Kai seems to prefer sleeping on the floor in Kiera's room. He sneaked in there when Nana and Granddad were babysitting.
That lets Kai turn his room into a stage for musical extravaganzas.
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Kai and Amy
In late May, Amy attended a midwifery conference in San Antonio. The rest of the family tagged along, taking the train from LA to San Antonio. We had a short visit there, taking Kai to the zoo while Kiera dealt with a cold. Granddad wound up giving Kiera a ride back to the hotel after a breakfast at the famous (and overrated) Mi Tierra restaurant.
After the conference we repaired to Utopia to Mary Smith's property. The Sabinal river was the lowest we have ever seen it, a consequence of the extraordinary drought Texas has experienced lately. Still, there was enough water above the dam for some floating in inner tubes.
Finally, we returned to Austin for Charles birthday and a chance to visit old friends.
With three different trips to the Bay Area to search for houses Nana and Granddad had more chances to visit this year than last. Although both of our children assert that the house we chose is "too far away," we expect to have many opportunities to keep grandchildren while parents frolic on their own.
