Amelia’s Moments

Talk about Americana!  For America’s birthday we all headed to the downtown 4th of July parade.  We had front row seats where all the cousins sat together collecting the enormous amounts of candy thrown their way.  After the parade, we headed over the Uncle Larry and Aunt Kim’s house where we had a BBQ.  Amelia and Maddie played in the pool and played with their cousins until the fell down exhausted.  Amelia even had her first dose of baseball – she had great eye contact!  Happy Birthday America!

Amelia's Favorite Parade Entry!

Amelia and Aunt Susan Play Ball!

Amelia and Brayden Practice Blowing Bubbles!

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Oregon summers are the best and this year was exceptionally warm.  The sunny days drew us outside and we walked all of the time.  I love the area behind out house where we can walk, ride bikes, feed the ducks.  Maddie practiced riding her American bike and Amelia practiced whatever Sam told her to practice.  The best was hitting dad and saying “hee-ya” as if he were a horse.  Giggles galore!

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We headed to Tucson to visit Grandma Dotty for a week over the summer.  There is a lot to do in Tucson but when you visit in the summer, nearly every activity ends with a dip in the pool… for several hours at a time!   Meelie had fun and actually learned to swim by herself (with floaties of course)!  She quickly discovered that she didn’t mind that much when she actually went under the surface of the water after she jumped into the pool.  This is a trait that is the exact opposite of her sister!   Amelia is a fish and I suspect that we’ll have to watch her like a hawk around the water for many years to come!

She had a great time at Grandma Dotty’s house.  The read books, made cakes and swam… a lot!  Thanks for the visit!

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She really does know how to fly… plug in and sit back!

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For Father’s Day we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  (This of course after we gave dad his new Wii!)   The entire family got together and the girls got to play with their cousins and grandparents.  Amelia helped grandpa open up his present of golf irons and grips and even sat down to read with him.  I can’t think of a better Father’s Day present!

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One of the highlights of the summer is going back to see family.  It was we all miss the most when we live overseas… the everyday interactions we have with those we love.  Amelia was able to hang out with her cousin Brayden a bit over the summer and when they got together, they seemed to speak the same language.  Whether it be sitting on Larry’s lap, looking at the computer together or helping Grandpa Earl open up his presents, they entertained us all!

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Since her older sister learned how to ride a bicycle without training wheels for the first time, Amelia has been eager to join in on the fun.  She has hopped on Maddie’s bike with training wheels but her short little legs just can’t reach the pedals.  So when we went to buy Maddie her America bike, we bought Miss Amelia her very first trike.  I called it a Big Wheel when I was growing up but “trike” is easier for her to say.

She was so excited and she just knew that it was for her and only her.  She couldn’t wait for dad to get it out of the car and put it together.  She even tried to take it for a spin without the wheels on yet!  Maddie helped her put all of the Dora stickers on and then she was ready to go.  In the end, her legs are still just a bit too short to reach those pedals but she pulls herself along and it’s just a matter of time!

Thanks dad for putting together the first trike!

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I’ve never seen such joy.  It’s like she knew… she knew how much sugar was in that basket before her.  The joy on her face was one of entitlement.  She has been sick yet she has been so good… and she knew it!  Pace yourself Meeli!

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Life is good and smiles are big… no matter how long the day is at work, when you come home to this smile, nothing else matters!

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Going to somebody else’s birthday party can be so much fun… especially when you are only one!

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