Whidbey

We took a family day trip to Whidbey Island and the clear weather allowed for lovely views 

Early riser

Awake from 4am thanks to embers of the jetlag, and then up playing with Daddy from 6am, including balloons in the tent

The early start made for a rather tired boy by coffee time

An afternoon trip to the playground perked Leo up

And we finished our outing under a pretty sunset

Happy Birthday

The celebrations just keep coming, with balloons and pizza for Uncle Richard's birthday. 

Isobel is warming to Uncle Ben

The balloon fun continued back at home

Christmas Day 2

Jet-lag meant Leo woke at 3.40am with no ability to return to sleep. By 5am we were wrapping presents for other Laings, which led to duelling wrapping paper tubes. 

Leo eventually beat Mummy into submission 

Out for a coffee and brief brisk walk on the blowy waterfront. 

After naptime came presents. "It's a car, Isobel". 

Cars from Cars was on of the hits..

.. and came out to dinner

As did big cousin Makennah

Boxing Day

Leo woke up to find three cousins downstairs 

And an auntie Kake to brush his hair

and Uncle Alix to hang him upside down..

.. and teach him the Claw

Happy family about to leave one family and head to the other

Here's Seattle's most well-known mountain, Mt Rainier, poking out above the clouds. 

Plenty of photos of us in Seattle to come in the next few days once we're recovered from the flight..

Christmas Day

It was a long and exciting day for Leo, with presents from early on

And he finally found a wooly hat he was happy wearing

He briefly wore a paper hat at lunch

And enjoyed being around his Booyse cousins..

..including to watch his new Planes DVD when a mid-afternoon quiet spell was called for 

Maybe the most fun of the day was had with that old reliable - blowing bubbles

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve and a taxi out to Amersham to Granny and Grandpa's house. Daddy introduced Leo to one of his traditions, of opening one present on Christmas Eve. His babysitter cannily chose him a Cars car. 

Leo got to bathe in a proper bath.. 

..and spread himself out

And then he sweetly bade goodnight to Bess..

..of course sharing with her his new car

Christmas Eve Eve

Turns out balancing cars on a concrete post in the cold is amusing for AGES!

Third day in a row when Leo refused to nap in his bed..

Fishing with magnets!