Meeting Alex
         My parents, Ethan, & cousin Russell flew out to visit the first week of August. Erik & Kim followed that weekend .. and brought our new niece to see us!

Kim & Erik Caldwell with 6-week-old Alex. This was at a cookout at the Lynks'.

Hard to say whether my parents came out to see us or Alex. The highly loved granddaughter definitely likes Nana.

She also definitely likes my dad. We haven't decided on a grandfather name for him yet, but we tried out several during the week. Our favorite so far is Pappy. That's Colonel Pappy to you. (I should mention that it wasn't my dad's favorite.)

We went downtown on a Harbor Cruise and to Pike Place Market. Here Auntie Mandy & Alex sing along with the buskers. Alex likes the city.

Alex opted not to enter the urine-scented confines of Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe to view the mummies & shrunken heads. She stayed outside with her aunt & the flies and concentrated on looking beautiful. She succeeded.

Most of our time with Alex was spent looking at her and talking funny to her and playing with her toes. Heaven knows what she thinks of us ... but she looks like she's having a good time with Nana here!

She certainly seems fascinated with Uncle Steve.

A very cute Caldwell family

Uncle Ethan!	Aunt Amanda & Uncle Steve!

Alex on her first trip to an aquarium! Kim & Erik left after my parents, so we had a chance to spend time with the three of them at Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium.

We babysat her while Kim & Erik went walking or biking in the evening. We kept her nourished in our own way. Our theory is that our shirts taste better than others because we do laundry so infrequently — more leftover food, less soapy flavor.

         We spent our time with Kim & Erik trying to convince them to move out to the Pacific Northwest to take advantage of free babysitting. Then I bet my parents & maybe even Ethan would follow. I hope it works — we miss our baby!