tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12562638088823102552024-02-07T21:34:39.805-08:00Journey to Our Baby Girl!!!'The Universe has a way of knowing when people belong together' -unknownMelissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-40377032121873312692012-10-10T15:03:00.000-07:002012-10-10T15:03:19.531-07:00Not feeling the sermon...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I picked Amelia up from school today, one of the teachers pulled me aside. She waited until Amelia was out of ear shot and began to tell me a funny story. Keep in mind that Amelia is very quiet at school, so the fact that she said chose to speak up, surprised me, let alone what she asked for! Apparently, the children's Pastor came into the classroom today to give a children's sermon. I guess Amelia wasn't really feeling it today, because she politely asked "Can we please talk about 'Little House on the Prairie' instead? Or, 'Wizard of Oz' is OK, too!" I guess I know what her favorite books are!</div>
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This picture has nothing to do with the story, but what is a blog post without a picture, right? We were out walking and I asked the kids to turn around for a picture. On their own, they struck this pose! They sure do love each other! Currently, one of my favorite parts of the day, is watching the kids say good-bye to each other when Graham gets on the school bus (big hugs) and when Graham and I arrive to pick up Amelia from school (even BIGGER hugs)!</div>
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<br />Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-22279978872515432652012-09-20T19:34:00.003-07:002012-09-20T19:34:51.840-07:00FIVE YEARS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Five years ago tonight, we arrived home from Korea with Graham. We were welcomed at the airport by VERY excited friends and family. The noise of their clapping and cheering is still extremely vivid in my memory. To say that Graham had fans waiting for him is an understatement. Graham made four very excited people grandparents for the first time, he made people Aunts and Uncles for the first time, he made Jeff and I Mommy and Daddy for the first time, and most importantly, Graham got his "forever family".</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small portion of our 'Welcoming Crew' in the baggage claim area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very tired Graham...screaming for 15 straight hours on the flight home will do that!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First meal at home</td></tr>
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So, now here we are five years later. The sleepless nights have been replaced with a kid who sleeps like a champ and still naps daily. Our extremely picky eater has been replaced with one of the most adventurous eaters I know. Graham can honestly claim broccoli as his favorite food and requested shrimp for dinner tonight. Gone are the days of him being too nervous to let me out of his sight. Instead, I wave good-bye to my smiling, confident Kindergarten student as the bus pulls away each morning. Thomas the Train has been replaced with Legos and 'Magic Treehouse' books have taken the place of board books.<br />
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But, I'm happy to still see glimpses of the little baby I carried on my back day after day after day in the Ergo baby carrier. Graham still sleeps with his 'Annie Blanket' the same blanket he slept with his first night home. He sleeps with at least 20 stuffed animals (some he's had for years) in his bed each night...it's a wonder there is any room left for him! And, my favorite, is that although they are definitely much smaller than five years ago, I'm happy he still has his cheeks. Those big round cheeks that only seem to grow when he grins, that nobody can seem to keep their hands off of. I love them and I hope they always stay.<br />
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Happy Gotcha Day, Graham!!! We love you forever, and ever, and ever.....</div>
Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-42584055285419062872012-09-19T14:37:00.002-07:002012-09-19T14:37:31.655-07:00Go TWINS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went to a Twins game last week which was quite a treat for the kids! We drive by Target Field all the time but they had never actually been to a game there, so they were very excited!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This giant glove has become the perfect photo op stop at games, not just for us, but all Twins fans. We actually had to wait in line for the kids to have their turn sitting here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect seats for their first game! It doesn't get much better than the first row between 1st and 2nd base!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia felt like this was the perfect place to try out her ballerina arm poses. I can't say the people behind her appreciated her attempted artistry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham and TC Bear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things officially got silly by the 5th inning.</td></tr>
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<br />Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-14645137125769316422012-09-09T18:16:00.000-07:002012-09-09T18:16:08.050-07:00A New Chapter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham's 1st Day of Kindergarten</td></tr>
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It's hard to believe that Graham has his very first week of Kindergarten (done 100% Spanish!) behind him. I knew that Graham was looking forward to school starting, but I don't think I really knew just how excited he was! Last Wednesday, while we waited for the school bus to come down the road, Graham was nothing but smiles. As the bus came into view, Graham's smile grew wider, and the lump in my throat just got bigger. How was it possible that the time had come for me to put my first baby onto the bus and send him off to school? The bus came to a stop, the driver patiently waited for me to snap a picture, I gave Graham a hug and kiss, told him I loved him, and he was off. It all happened so quickly and it was probably a good thing because I'm not sure how much longer I would have been able to keep my own tears at bay. Yes, I will admit to having a good cry and yes, I pulled it together well before Graham came home. The mix of emotions I felt that morning are extreme. I was sad with the reality of just how quickly time passes but I was also filled with pride for who Graham is becoming. His confidence is something to be admired. He really believes he can do anything and I love that about him. This time is yours Graham, go take on the world!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 and just as excited. When Graham got off the bus this day, the first thing he said to me was "Whew, another GREAT day!"</td></tr>
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Day 3. I had no intention to take a picture this morning but Graham stopped and said "Aren't you going to take my picture? This is really big deal, remember?"Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-55178187049398149402012-08-28T19:45:00.000-07:002012-08-28T19:45:40.306-07:00Open House<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tonight, I survived Kindergarten open house. I've been anticipating this open house with mixed emotions of excitement and dread. Mostly, I just can't comprehend how my little guy is old enough, and more than ready to attend school full time. But on the other hand, I'm excited for Graham. I have clear memories of my own Kindergarten experience-my teacher, my friends, the holiday parties, and I'm excited for Graham to experience these things.</div>
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I love how Graham marched into school tonight clutching his bag of school supplies like he owned the place. I love how Graham insisted on wearing a broken Mickey Mouse watch because "that's what the big kids do", despite the fact that he has no idea how to tell time. I love the fact that Graham insisted that he wear his hair spikey with gel because "that's what Daddy does". I love how confident he is!</div>
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Walking into Graham's classroom was a SHOCK. Graham is attending a Spanish Immersion school and yes, even the open house was completely in Spanish. Graham went completely silent and got wide eyed as he studied his teacher and tried to figure out what she was saying. I whispered over and over to him that it was ok to not understand her, and that with time, he would learn. Kindergarten is a big adjustment and Kindergarten in another language is a HUGE adjustment. Not just for Graham, but for his Mama too!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is exactly how I'll remember Graham at this stage of life...dressed up in a costume. In this case, he was all dressed up to play 'Memory' with me.</td></tr>
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Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-47833447191804594082012-08-28T12:08:00.000-07:002012-08-28T12:08:07.640-07:00We have a golfer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjpShQMt3LA4H6FzjLhU1u1tOwmcbclTjTd-E3ebfC06LbjA-qc6Yt85Gmrhx4OZg1P2ilRi_FF31w2vVb6d8T0Hzt-UlJXIGQ2PnYws11P_xSEjl2bPAbnHxKzeCiwCgXH0SQIEOYwMc/s1600/2012-08-27+17.42.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjpShQMt3LA4H6FzjLhU1u1tOwmcbclTjTd-E3ebfC06LbjA-qc6Yt85Gmrhx4OZg1P2ilRi_FF31w2vVb6d8T0Hzt-UlJXIGQ2PnYws11P_xSEjl2bPAbnHxKzeCiwCgXH0SQIEOYwMc/s320/2012-08-27+17.42.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-33440260440823955512012-08-22T12:06:00.002-07:002012-08-22T12:06:36.831-07:00Amelia's Newest Accessory<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a morning visit to the eye doctor including lovely eye drops which led to her sporting these stylish shades.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV2bJcGDx_Pmu1r97U8y59_E7rZdIxTied2nuF1hTiz1mDs-X8p6IK5TMYfvPexVjAMlQuz5eNVCQkt6acwKRZood1PCY6OjDpshxPT7MH1fHzerpY4shiw0WWmbLJaKBnnm_7rwzup__/s1600/2012-08-22+09.10.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV2bJcGDx_Pmu1r97U8y59_E7rZdIxTied2nuF1hTiz1mDs-X8p6IK5TMYfvPexVjAMlQuz5eNVCQkt6acwKRZood1PCY6OjDpshxPT7MH1fHzerpY4shiw0WWmbLJaKBnnm_7rwzup__/s320/2012-08-22+09.10.03.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It was determined that from now on, Amelia would need a brand new accessory!</div>
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It's hard to tell from the picture, but they are purple with polka dots on the side. Amelia was fitted and had a few good options to choose from. Once I snuck the pink plastic Disney princess frames back to the display, Amelia chose her favorite. We think she looks pretty cute!!Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-86204146620696466912012-08-02T17:37:00.001-07:002012-08-02T17:37:09.805-07:00August Already????<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Get ready for pictures, because I have a lot of catching up to do! July literally FLEW by! We stayed extremely busy and before I knew it, August was here! Our month was full-Halmoni and Haraboji were in town from Korea, Uncle Jon and Auntie Catherine were in town from Colorado, we celebrated the 4th of July, spent time at the lake, made time for a visit the Children's Museum, rode some amusement park rides at the Mall of America, enjoyed a quick trip to Duluth, and played a lot of soccer. </div>
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<br />Our August is shaping up to be just as full and we're going to squeeze every last bit of fun out of summer as we can! That means you'll find us indulging in lots of frozen treats, stopping by the pool every free evening that we have, enjoying our last few weekends out on the boat, and spending time with our friends because all too soon, that thing known as school is going to change our daily schedule. Whether it's preschool of kindergarten, it's coming!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia caught a fish and wanted NOTHING to do with it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH9Y9QYaHi9kCOWH9FH8vK3D518UZfVkepxtUhkNtS0Dcus8jDqlMc4eegvfpoCqytJplXpcv5ITMCTJircmEjwcb2f7NEnwNmqH6z6O-eN2YDVNITDKbaLjTbdlV9VP3pfjO3z79-qMv/s1600/2012-07-27+18.55.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH9Y9QYaHi9kCOWH9FH8vK3D518UZfVkepxtUhkNtS0Dcus8jDqlMc4eegvfpoCqytJplXpcv5ITMCTJircmEjwcb2f7NEnwNmqH6z6O-eN2YDVNITDKbaLjTbdlV9VP3pfjO3z79-qMv/s320/2012-07-27+18.55.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even our enthusiastic swimmers didn't want much to do with the cold water of Lake Superior!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Goal for the 'Blue Lightning'!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia looks like she could melt after playing hard in HOT weather!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrX8MVXdZzCZS5GGyZD82GqqFYAOz-ygqcHO9Z-bpfk4sFAMZKRWkyuOIblxa31DtRDr0w3_6D8lM1LeHic8rjHdiabI7OOg4gtM_Wj99FJaGO-EW4aZ4TQ5eRr9zR64S6UiON4NWpL-a/s1600/DSC_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrX8MVXdZzCZS5GGyZD82GqqFYAOz-ygqcHO9Z-bpfk4sFAMZKRWkyuOIblxa31DtRDr0w3_6D8lM1LeHic8rjHdiabI7OOg4gtM_Wj99FJaGO-EW4aZ4TQ5eRr9zR64S6UiON4NWpL-a/s320/DSC_1047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham and Amelia show of their awards</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Happy Birthday dinner for Uncle Jon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia clearly thought riding the balloon ride at the Mall of America was amazing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipAruczNrx_x2j-4yUqIrKbfmHrRf60LLwiClhiSBdV-60hkpw3TylsCF5J3brRDItuNvqyMiVydbSTNXVIxHRvAAleTFUVYixTimgRsuTZIvXAlyXWNLmHF5h1Dnj92JP1ci71lu7Oq6/s1600/2012-07-17+10.44.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipAruczNrx_x2j-4yUqIrKbfmHrRf60LLwiClhiSBdV-60hkpw3TylsCF5J3brRDItuNvqyMiVydbSTNXVIxHRvAAleTFUVYixTimgRsuTZIvXAlyXWNLmHF5h1Dnj92JP1ci71lu7Oq6/s320/2012-07-17+10.44.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how we shop these days. It does make for slow going, but I don't hear a single complaint about tired legs as Amelia is too focused on her baby to consider how far or long she's been walking! A win/win situation!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of Curious George's biggest fans so we had to check out the new exhibit at the museum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor museum fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy campers at the Mall of America</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD18-GP3xIZI436rH1esBTV5JbwmR-si58yRbLGO6efTRpRLYlT9j407N87k-EQKpR2CNuJ286KbSYCzjI2VqHmY1ijj5uxQbVihVNVmI6p9dmGGJiEML5JQnTBiDxh9kR70n1voJZy3FE/s1600/402867_3880968116296_571707320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD18-GP3xIZI436rH1esBTV5JbwmR-si58yRbLGO6efTRpRLYlT9j407N87k-EQKpR2CNuJ286KbSYCzjI2VqHmY1ijj5uxQbVihVNVmI6p9dmGGJiEML5JQnTBiDxh9kR70n1voJZy3FE/s320/402867_3880968116296_571707320_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, Amelia didn't eat all of these hot dogs. But, you won't find a bigger hot dog fan anywhere on the planet! She was thrilled to pose with the hot dogs grilled to feed our 4th of July crowd</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnISyfylG800nV-qMvgrRS_q95WTiEguENk0r5W8sCm02zEAgEoPnTdu0MBfAxKS3se98-BRw7X9XraZj4DFKSJasvFkZlkhVTcWkq5e5v6P86p0ut8jz22icVQSjkibLStkW0-fg71_J-/s1600/376775_3882219027568_1779640215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnISyfylG800nV-qMvgrRS_q95WTiEguENk0r5W8sCm02zEAgEoPnTdu0MBfAxKS3se98-BRw7X9XraZj4DFKSJasvFkZlkhVTcWkq5e5v6P86p0ut8jz22icVQSjkibLStkW0-fg71_J-/s320/376775_3882219027568_1779640215_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the first summer the kids will jump off the boat directly into the middle of the lake. A perfect way to spend hot days!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLN7NAZu_KNuMcgpGchKZHG8j4fLwHeE9yZE7Eg1pWpyjSwcM3w-0iU9XyYEHvJ_DkXakqakfKmbb6Ra8FRF_7XDtMcWb2JjkEVgrFLnoA111-p5uInZx0582eqQ6z0oXc7640qmEJk44/s1600/376775_3882218987567_1309422562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLN7NAZu_KNuMcgpGchKZHG8j4fLwHeE9yZE7Eg1pWpyjSwcM3w-0iU9XyYEHvJ_DkXakqakfKmbb6Ra8FRF_7XDtMcWb2JjkEVgrFLnoA111-p5uInZx0582eqQ6z0oXc7640qmEJk44/s320/376775_3882218987567_1309422562_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia is all about safety. With a life jacket and an inner-tube, this girl takes no chances! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-15850781644777062012-07-15T12:43:00.001-07:002012-07-15T12:43:41.132-07:00Happy (VERY belated) Birthday to Amelia!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post is late. Very late. As in almost embarrassingly late. Amelia turned 4 on June 26 and I'm just now getting around to blogging about her celebration...oops! </div>
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I'm still in awe that my "baby" is 4. More days than not lately, I want to freeze time. I want to freeze time because Amelia loves nothing more than to cuddle up with a book so we can read together. She loves nothing more than to hang out with me in the kitchen while I'm cooking. I often lose track of how many unsolicited hugs and kisses she gives me each day. I'm told constantly "Mommy, I love you so much!" Amelia is my little shadow and I love it! I am so lucky and I often wonder, how I got so lucky. I have no doubt that Amelia was meant to be my daughter and I will be forever grateful that I have the opportunity to watch her grow and see what life has in store for her!</div>
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At 4 years old, Miss Amelia is still as girly as they come. She loves pink, and dresses, and nail polish, and purses, and princess dress up clothes, and jewelry (more on this later), and shoes. Seriously, this girl loves shoes! In the past year she's also developed a love for all things pony. Pony toys, pony books, pony art projects, and cow girls who specifically ride ponies, not horses. So, it seemed fitting that Amelia celebrate another year in cow girl style with all her friends. We hosted her birthday bash at in indoor play area and served Amelia's very favorite meal...hot dogs and chips (I never claimed it was a healthy choice!) Cupcakes topped with ponies wrapped up the night and I'm confident that Amelia had a great time!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmgoBRC29y8MccLTE_a6-KyxNgHXMzmjzpVoAY0nP97oPP22ZGfwX8yvORbMExrCBWkJ4YrQajDGQiF8_9VNJo9fx6GLr0Tac-3z-M6kby1-wsCt2d-tl2tzmrb4_-ho6Xb6cLJ30qDTQ/s1600/DSC_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmgoBRC29y8MccLTE_a6-KyxNgHXMzmjzpVoAY0nP97oPP22ZGfwX8yvORbMExrCBWkJ4YrQajDGQiF8_9VNJo9fx6GLr0Tac-3z-M6kby1-wsCt2d-tl2tzmrb4_-ho6Xb6cLJ30qDTQ/s320/DSC_0851.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let dinner begin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihp0H0T2AiFk-HU0ppTXctMFUnTusRCuFXbUAEOP2Zk9m-578zS7rLAxnsYsDbI2wbe10MxdygaHaN4sAySMb4O0DpPsMk7DCb59_a3Wnhzbh84Ln8vVAgeCyPbUlcpJ0L2jab6P82epiB/s1600/DSC_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihp0H0T2AiFk-HU0ppTXctMFUnTusRCuFXbUAEOP2Zk9m-578zS7rLAxnsYsDbI2wbe10MxdygaHaN4sAySMb4O0DpPsMk7DCb59_a3Wnhzbh84Ln8vVAgeCyPbUlcpJ0L2jab6P82epiB/s320/DSC_0858.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a wish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham loved this slide!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the party clean up...they were too worn out to even move!</td></tr>
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Now, back to Amelia and her love of jewelry....I have a specific necklace that Amelia LOVES. She often asks to wear it and I'll occasionally let her if we're at home, but it's from Tiffany and Co., and to be honest, I'm afraid she'll lose, it so more often than not, she's stuck just admiring it. Leave it to Grandma and Grandpa to make her 4 year old dreams come true though. Amelia is now the proud owner of her very own mini Tiffany bean necklace. I'm quite confident that she's the youngest, and happiest owner around!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzLodYEXc36iDPbWiSuX7aHyrab20oiD7DSSnonN8PScPI0MtW9mUcgt5OYsp6YKcDx_UV3MQ7UJiX404iCFHOGtGqnvAStC2G0fc3Clpn2Y_Eucjk1SUvYQ5xc2hw548gxXC4N3PZGgl/s1600/DSC_0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzLodYEXc36iDPbWiSuX7aHyrab20oiD7DSSnonN8PScPI0MtW9mUcgt5OYsp6YKcDx_UV3MQ7UJiX404iCFHOGtGqnvAStC2G0fc3Clpn2Y_Eucjk1SUvYQ5xc2hw548gxXC4N3PZGgl/s320/DSC_0972.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Amelia also enjoyed her very first trip to the American Girl Cafe. Seated next to Amelia, is her trusty side kick "Amelia Bedelia" (creative naming on Amelia's part, right?). This cafe was made for my girl. Pink walls, pink booths, pink tables, and pink lemonade. Can it possibly get any better for a pink loving girl? It sure is good to be 4!<br />
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<br />Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-71436021899030925762012-07-09T12:59:00.001-07:002012-07-09T12:59:57.877-07:00Team Olson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tennis lessons started this morning, so let me introduce you to the newest doubles team in the neighborhood!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsGIw9o-TFQ7wyPEYICN4xWqTu-ca7dcnb2g1JT53FPKMeYlqMolfgsQkRbN4nSmy0LZbi3y8v4ZntevQTwJhPBWQS_pVHmESIaVNZ0Bmom2eAj2wtafxxl26EIGeGP82O3gFqd4PxtrD/s1600/DSC_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsGIw9o-TFQ7wyPEYICN4xWqTu-ca7dcnb2g1JT53FPKMeYlqMolfgsQkRbN4nSmy0LZbi3y8v4ZntevQTwJhPBWQS_pVHmESIaVNZ0Bmom2eAj2wtafxxl26EIGeGP82O3gFqd4PxtrD/s320/DSC_1006.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
They aren't really a doubles team (I'm pretty sure one needs to make consistent contact with the ball to be a member of any team), but they did stick together like glue during their group lesson! As we were leaving the courts and heading to the car, Amelia looked at Graham and said "We're best buddies, right Graham?" and Graham said "Yep we'll always be best buddies, but that doesn't mean I always have to share my transformers with you!"<br />
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I'm LOVING the stage we're at with the kids right now. For the most part, they really do get along and act like best buddies. But, I'm not going to pretend that we don't have days where I insist they play on different floors of the house just to give myself a referee break. These days, I'm doing my best to be deliberate with family time in an attempt to create lasting memories for the kids (and myself, who am I kidding) and my fingers are crossed that they enjoy each others company for the rest of the summer. Fall will be here before we know it and with it will come a new stage of life for us....ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-38400007378564077132012-06-23T18:53:00.001-07:002012-06-23T18:53:35.101-07:00What we've been up to lately...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6BDry2PzYYiad3gJXzryWe3CWl4qerLCCrxKPXWWeEPeDQsDqTfSKCLBVb1XUd_Ms8CpghyO5UJ4virfDgMh0g2pKxXOwgaBhykvwzrLZp4mpLJmtVYxk8PAoBA84K4BMCdpKTTrAS3M/s1600/2012-06-16+13.17.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6BDry2PzYYiad3gJXzryWe3CWl4qerLCCrxKPXWWeEPeDQsDqTfSKCLBVb1XUd_Ms8CpghyO5UJ4virfDgMh0g2pKxXOwgaBhykvwzrLZp4mpLJmtVYxk8PAoBA84K4BMCdpKTTrAS3M/s320/2012-06-16+13.17.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham ate an entire head of broccoli and he loved every single bite. He finished his lunch so I asked him if he'd like dessert and he asked for a huge helping of vegetables.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BNJxErDg1hawPGON04FHype-K4zauHV8a9PjQG1dI5xujEky3VY_cg0ygpk8a7DtHQ3RQWxnMyW0x-K5k1-tdsqkLEY-e5iTg0UEUbmoK8HlB2peyveZslkGhd7ZOr1ikXhErQmMLaRC/s1600/2012-06-13+17.56.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BNJxErDg1hawPGON04FHype-K4zauHV8a9PjQG1dI5xujEky3VY_cg0ygpk8a7DtHQ3RQWxnMyW0x-K5k1-tdsqkLEY-e5iTg0UEUbmoK8HlB2peyveZslkGhd7ZOr1ikXhErQmMLaRC/s320/2012-06-13+17.56.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia and this new pony "Pinkie Pie" are inseparable these days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RegWL5vpXPrrXBknMn0vjfkOSV9_3XqQWIBZ_U-ATc1nzeI6XfLI3HQmh4uvMGwdqHD_tEPZkPGohM-ijK7-goa71qXhE5yklHiNPF9nubwZuyQqvYvi2dRGiS3H2RP7FaNzVeX6BPnd/s1600/2012-06-12+10.28.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RegWL5vpXPrrXBknMn0vjfkOSV9_3XqQWIBZ_U-ATc1nzeI6XfLI3HQmh4uvMGwdqHD_tEPZkPGohM-ijK7-goa71qXhE5yklHiNPF9nubwZuyQqvYvi2dRGiS3H2RP7FaNzVeX6BPnd/s320/2012-06-12+10.28.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We LOVED the new dinosaur exhibit at the zoo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fvzC5O5TgPXIATPjS4YJHckew3R9EYwF8I4bmzaYOfqsYu1RMbgClkqKd0ufn2v3wdEOM2368Oa6TmVGoqaPYIDllVQZEyQxgdlBll8t2Kbn3ORlyOlDC07XH0gWYiLV63sOdLLGZ0k8/s1600/2012-06-09+17.49.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fvzC5O5TgPXIATPjS4YJHckew3R9EYwF8I4bmzaYOfqsYu1RMbgClkqKd0ufn2v3wdEOM2368Oa6TmVGoqaPYIDllVQZEyQxgdlBll8t2Kbn3ORlyOlDC07XH0gWYiLV63sOdLLGZ0k8/s320/2012-06-09+17.49.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a busy afternoon playing in the sprinklers, the kids wanted to pretend they were relaxing on the beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up for Graham's piano recital.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIRt9kNc67ajIvxUZrEp3jkOgdEP-l9SBh1NSybhCkgG9VwF7e1U0rNpzY3ZCv92z3XjbP902et-qtGo0ZtWdNTBJVvJbHi4BUQwWZOVJ4kslXALtvyrxU7IxvIN4bFFByTYchxAs6YG0/s1600/DSC_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIRt9kNc67ajIvxUZrEp3jkOgdEP-l9SBh1NSybhCkgG9VwF7e1U0rNpzY3ZCv92z3XjbP902et-qtGo0ZtWdNTBJVvJbHi4BUQwWZOVJ4kslXALtvyrxU7IxvIN4bFFByTYchxAs6YG0/s320/DSC_0766.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham received his very first trophy at his performance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhYNMxyAbblN3rjnTihjJGFZ6dy2Bwr74ZXnqgaf6QDzAK-70ph8wOaZ7ja-Zw36t91QXTQKxq7tNW5Z5EkNXxVwktPrb8na9xLHsEahQj11sGJsG7CqlRcHqaVKIHdtx2e2juqVwgzF0/s1600/DSC_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhYNMxyAbblN3rjnTihjJGFZ6dy2Bwr74ZXnqgaf6QDzAK-70ph8wOaZ7ja-Zw36t91QXTQKxq7tNW5Z5EkNXxVwktPrb8na9xLHsEahQj11sGJsG7CqlRcHqaVKIHdtx2e2juqVwgzF0/s320/DSC_0793.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Amelia after a bike ride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0cpPNwlsqv6X4LSjbc7eqmLKjtBRxP3VjmQOXkIJqZ5kT9pInmpspBXmnKG4A9x0ayqRohlBQz11jFnnykt29LiL3G_qcEp02-W5J8K5H2qpMDT3iItwBfGXCwHMqqEfVdOLY0QtzAfj/s1600/DSC_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0cpPNwlsqv6X4LSjbc7eqmLKjtBRxP3VjmQOXkIJqZ5kT9pInmpspBXmnKG4A9x0ayqRohlBQz11jFnnykt29LiL3G_qcEp02-W5J8K5H2qpMDT3iItwBfGXCwHMqqEfVdOLY0QtzAfj/s320/DSC_0822.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's official...the training wheels are off and Graham can ride on two wheels. Hopefully, he learns to stop soon because watching him ride at full speed up and down the street then standing by to catch him when he decides he's done is getting VERY old. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-89080035127759544072012-06-07T12:29:00.000-07:002012-06-07T12:29:01.145-07:00Playing catch up....No surprise here, but I'm once again behind on the blog. Consider this picture heavy post my best attempt to catch up!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2jqOfswD15FK6iGsyVk_DvDlgqW6B00xfluSShJyyOb5ajlMSn4CwEKGzNVWzIe1RU2cePueu4jcfsYj22EC6UZ4hTRbU_4Al2qXMnU0YZ0OGau2DSYNenHZ1nQU1eW3HXScPlAc5ZBZ/s1600/2012-05-17+09.19.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2jqOfswD15FK6iGsyVk_DvDlgqW6B00xfluSShJyyOb5ajlMSn4CwEKGzNVWzIe1RU2cePueu4jcfsYj22EC6UZ4hTRbU_4Al2qXMnU0YZ0OGau2DSYNenHZ1nQU1eW3HXScPlAc5ZBZ/s320/2012-05-17+09.19.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia was so excited to go on her very first field trip. We went to the zoo but I think the ride on a school bus and a picnic lunch in a princess lunch bag was the highlight of her day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYsHazNedX5X6IuJa-rk7ZXRMMWA-asTZ1TA4EtaF7WXQ1hBJ85LjfvmPiSN3zoJt6hbq8dIrUAjidBq7q7egmuKdUzJVlUCgTcmQDjggz7aD3m5Jovp4QHfbLcIGfbNNCEKAy6yLfBhS/s1600/DSC_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYsHazNedX5X6IuJa-rk7ZXRMMWA-asTZ1TA4EtaF7WXQ1hBJ85LjfvmPiSN3zoJt6hbq8dIrUAjidBq7q7egmuKdUzJVlUCgTcmQDjggz7aD3m5Jovp4QHfbLcIGfbNNCEKAy6yLfBhS/s320/DSC_0724.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day of preschool for the year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day of preschool forever...next stop kindergarten! I'm glad Graham is ready for the next step because I'm sure not!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55NSuMw7umSJYELIq5w53UnS3sdspxElbkqMQrz18gwADjZKeJoWfny3Mo0NrtwDVS2S7u1RX44i55Lea9oKRlsi6LrZ6tZyfIiA3qj26-fQc3sDbgwIEtZhQwr5wbEmYReRJ6ZuXl57p/s1600/DSC_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55NSuMw7umSJYELIq5w53UnS3sdspxElbkqMQrz18gwADjZKeJoWfny3Mo0NrtwDVS2S7u1RX44i55Lea9oKRlsi6LrZ6tZyfIiA3qj26-fQc3sDbgwIEtZhQwr5wbEmYReRJ6ZuXl57p/s320/DSC_0734.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preschool Diploma Time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqTn1vUMGKMBta37QaKm1LX73TLLwk002-lsYLtj_8KfO6Fcs0nqSS2wJtyEfLcLJdrfjzeuQnjvSuWSXDFg75u3dbHEt4ayFW8UaIRnzXLQFf9THpPnDCQAztfWI1J_uOa86ZWwTOcQ8/s1600/DSC_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqTn1vUMGKMBta37QaKm1LX73TLLwk002-lsYLtj_8KfO6Fcs0nqSS2wJtyEfLcLJdrfjzeuQnjvSuWSXDFg75u3dbHEt4ayFW8UaIRnzXLQFf9THpPnDCQAztfWI1J_uOa86ZWwTOcQ8/s320/DSC_0738.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Graham</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yNL0dDUlNun2Dgs74jQTRlkv8cA1gbIaBojSnTUgmEMdTsi8ep-llGxmJpQqTeS4X6OvIRQCsngJxwOFve03TkjbqlbuGdxCveqewvj_rotuBtvuP9d5DHx8jbsHg8fqjc0t6Qs3LzK7/s1600/DSC_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yNL0dDUlNun2Dgs74jQTRlkv8cA1gbIaBojSnTUgmEMdTsi8ep-llGxmJpQqTeS4X6OvIRQCsngJxwOFve03TkjbqlbuGdxCveqewvj_rotuBtvuP9d5DHx8jbsHg8fqjc0t6Qs3LzK7/s320/DSC_0742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia and her wonderful, fantastic, amazing teacher. Graham had her last year and I LOVE her!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirItYisueZDAsVV4JDbk2tHvvCEaYS5PFEkobUlfmFFzk0BfQsfB0EOboydy-tu9nLo7vIDlJtx18rSXf0BpyoL3ML9udrSXOhQfbLkmdrt_jvvYogZLalJKaPFDXX24on07h_Z5c6A6lO/s1600/DSC_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirItYisueZDAsVV4JDbk2tHvvCEaYS5PFEkobUlfmFFzk0BfQsfB0EOboydy-tu9nLo7vIDlJtx18rSXf0BpyoL3ML9udrSXOhQfbLkmdrt_jvvYogZLalJKaPFDXX24on07h_Z5c6A6lO/s320/DSC_0762.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy Jeff and I attended our reunion at St. Olaf and it was a fantastic weekend catching up with old friends. The kids joined us for a bit so we of course had to document their visit to campus with a picture in the chairs.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh00S4-EF_QUa-GB3m5AyyN4lSrRfkSfUoNJSJd7J-ZPDlYlrRPYjSua1Uk5vvA4gucdivIWdpwiLGBmIpbstBZaOMHbE8Z2BfewgojyWaOibdbeQ5vC_1DF5PSAtqj1hUGi9G0fPfHG8s/s1600/DSC_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh00S4-EF_QUa-GB3m5AyyN4lSrRfkSfUoNJSJd7J-ZPDlYlrRPYjSua1Uk5vvA4gucdivIWdpwiLGBmIpbstBZaOMHbE8Z2BfewgojyWaOibdbeQ5vC_1DF5PSAtqj1hUGi9G0fPfHG8s/s320/DSC_0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This picture won't mean much to many, but to our family and I'm sure other Oles, can it get any better than watching my children run and play with other future Oles on the hill behind Old Main?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl6diE3AHp86l5Ym1Z9v5Fcl-VjLzkatLeHVJJ1r1OHA_1ayOD3cuavlqT1_W3k7yExL8bgJflAa2wsd8tl3-47cWk9qunG8dWzQMqWoiPV9M6lkSzzGhRRMEPhxTpvkXNXWrS7Ag1JHI/s1600/2012-06-05+09.10.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl6diE3AHp86l5Ym1Z9v5Fcl-VjLzkatLeHVJJ1r1OHA_1ayOD3cuavlqT1_W3k7yExL8bgJflAa2wsd8tl3-47cWk9qunG8dWzQMqWoiPV9M6lkSzzGhRRMEPhxTpvkXNXWrS7Ag1JHI/s320/2012-06-05+09.10.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good trip to the dentist meant a trip to the donut shop. And yes, I'm fully aware that we just put all that sugar back onto their teeth, but it sure was fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawJvVs9sAcK2tVCltia-6ebFETUjzDWaZVfBTxuHH910WvgYPSEKUB0L-5BlqF8En6GqpEG3z-7S6JULb1PihYyCzT7XKzgGZWPbMbJJYGcAIPZ0MR_X2bOdUhjvXM8shJGS7_MtRPjci/s1600/2012-06-04+11.01.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawJvVs9sAcK2tVCltia-6ebFETUjzDWaZVfBTxuHH910WvgYPSEKUB0L-5BlqF8En6GqpEG3z-7S6JULb1PihYyCzT7XKzgGZWPbMbJJYGcAIPZ0MR_X2bOdUhjvXM8shJGS7_MtRPjci/s320/2012-06-04+11.01.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider Man and Ariel the Mermaid shopping at Target. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-64226604991858638912012-05-22T19:03:00.001-07:002012-05-22T19:03:59.921-07:00Unofficial Start of SummerI guess you could say that tonight was our unofficial start to summer as Graham had his first t-ball game. I'm amazed at what a difference a year makes. Last year the kids spent a great majority of the time playing in the dirt and only a small amount of time focused on the game. Tonight they were pretty focused on playing and didn't care so much about the dirt. It actually doesn't matter what they're focused on, they all look adorable no matter what they do!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for his turn at bat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvKG3q8A7X9arkQNILN647BYq6TkD3dTBEwyj4cRsbyen0RwJhHUhEH9UVV7rc9WS66clpJ_wG3NctsB56keHLE0KQrkLUQvn5BmFtZxYyZ42XC2JRkih0R3lqmlF_qcbL4JDyzRH6FVb/s1600/DSC_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvKG3q8A7X9arkQNILN647BYq6TkD3dTBEwyj4cRsbyen0RwJhHUhEH9UVV7rc9WS66clpJ_wG3NctsB56keHLE0KQrkLUQvn5BmFtZxYyZ42XC2JRkih0R3lqmlF_qcbL4JDyzRH6FVb/s320/DSC_0712.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SWING</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBhZSaRqbO7JmxXoAT8jpxNCjphEta99RYViiTHftAIZZaXe6KNdvtt0EhFS-IglMTtT14Peh_K1atjicuRkGzqO8J-Oyeyw1h_vFCkA11mZR6LGVptm9_GLGWVzNeZ45ZAs2yVpTlIEm/s1600/DSC_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBhZSaRqbO7JmxXoAT8jpxNCjphEta99RYViiTHftAIZZaXe6KNdvtt0EhFS-IglMTtT14Peh_K1atjicuRkGzqO8J-Oyeyw1h_vFCkA11mZR6LGVptm9_GLGWVzNeZ45ZAs2yVpTlIEm/s320/DSC_0708.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after Graham made this face at me, he told me that no Mom's were allowed in the dugout</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwiUAgksBRzUwEMiCyflc_GxJzeI2dY5NFc3d1AjHZ5nG0FZCeJ3QEoiSR-qR82lIl-TESEVgTBb9LOQe-iz7iUR2qUCSnKg78AivapeJZA-kLTLUihxIPJRHO0kuJGu3yyTC1P_dTrAR/s1600/DSC_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwiUAgksBRzUwEMiCyflc_GxJzeI2dY5NFc3d1AjHZ5nG0FZCeJ3QEoiSR-qR82lIl-TESEVgTBb9LOQe-iz7iUR2qUCSnKg78AivapeJZA-kLTLUihxIPJRHO0kuJGu3yyTC1P_dTrAR/s320/DSC_0718.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is very typical Amelia as she always has a book in hand. She was only semi-interested in watching the game.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8ip7flS5tDEF3iYnmjcuGFWAavR5fGcc7yuAU134i6Bq8qdsBRe5bJeqWd4c989zAN5esWsplf_awAZATm7UJyl55ffaPclnpkmXqFUL79XwRKZ6vOp0Ny1pN5cWJA1RB_Ou1INDbm0N/s1600/DSC_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8ip7flS5tDEF3iYnmjcuGFWAavR5fGcc7yuAU134i6Bq8qdsBRe5bJeqWd4c989zAN5esWsplf_awAZATm7UJyl55ffaPclnpkmXqFUL79XwRKZ6vOp0Ny1pN5cWJA1RB_Ou1INDbm0N/s320/DSC_0723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is her "I'm really hot and kind of bored and I really want you to put the camera away!" face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-82609986726293608462012-05-20T18:48:00.002-07:002012-05-20T18:48:57.870-07:00Amelia's First Dance Recital<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was a big day for Amelia...her very first dance recital! I was certainly one proud Mama to see my little girl up on that stage dancing her heart out! I wasn't just happy to see how adorable Amelia looked in her little ballet shoes and lion costume, but I was so proud to see her in front of an audience having a great time! Amelia can be very slow to warm up in a new environment and being on a stage in front of a huge audience is definitely a new environment. But, she was so brave and showed off all her little dance moves with confidence! I will fully admit to getting completely choked up when Amelia spotted me in the audience which made her smile turned into a grin and she began to wave. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself that this life really is my own. Today I got to be the Mommy in the audience waving at my little girl up on stage and what a fantastic day it was! </div>
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My only regret for the day was that I didn't break the 'no pictures in the auditorium rule' which means I don't have a single photo from the actual performance. I need to remember this for next time. Some rules are made to be broken, right? :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for her big debut!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating after the show!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQcVG0Zr1DMZcni_Edsh7mvIqKm9IY-2NTgT267a-bBK9q0VXnosa3bDZHk62U-_MVrs6uVr9zAH6QKd9BByceggmPo1Cxi83uKwnlf7L3sr3ezPnmh3-3eIJoqyhJPGU0mM3M-bKmmcm/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQcVG0Zr1DMZcni_Edsh7mvIqKm9IY-2NTgT267a-bBK9q0VXnosa3bDZHk62U-_MVrs6uVr9zAH6QKd9BByceggmPo1Cxi83uKwnlf7L3sr3ezPnmh3-3eIJoqyhJPGU0mM3M-bKmmcm/s320/DSC_0689.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia and her friends Zebra Mary and Zebra Laney. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-82503759478667918732012-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:002012-05-15T19:06:36.591-07:00The two months leading up to now....The past two months have been life changing for me. My life suddenly feels like it has two parts-before and after. In this case, before refers before the accident and after refers to after the accident. In early March, Sara, one of my very best friends, was in an awful car accident caused by a drunk driver. Sara, with all of her amazing strength and persistence, fought for her life for an entire month before she got her angel wings, as her wonderful mother, Carol, would say. I spent countless hours at the hospital, reading to Sara, talking to Sara, and just sitting with Sara. During that month, I do feel like I was able to say good-bye to my dear friend, but honestly, I wasn't ready. Sara was the friend to me that everyone wishes they had. Sara was the friend that I was in constant contact with-if we weren't talking, we were texting, or emailing. A day didn't go by that we weren't communicating in some way. When I think back to the memorable moments in my life, Sara was always present. She was one of the first people to welcome us home at the airport when we arrived home with Graham and eventually Amelia. In fact, when our long awaited travel call for Amelia came, Sara was the first person I shared the news with....sorry, Jeff! :) I called Sara at work and from her desk in her very conservative work environment, she let out the type of joyful scream that only a best friend could scream. She was a constant fixture not only in my life, but in the lives of Graham and Amelia as well. She attended every birthday party and loved to call them on special days specifically to talk with them. I will never forget talking with her on Christmas morning and how she took the time to chat with each kid as she showed such a genuine interest in what Santa surprised them with. Sara's passing has left a hole in my life that will never be filled but I'm moving forward and am trying to live each day to the absolute fullest...exactly the way Sara would. And, I will make a real effort to stay on top of this blog. After all, it was always Sara who would remind me when I was falling behind!<br />
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The emotion of the past two months brings me to where we are today. The kids and I had the opportunity (Daddy Jeff had to be at work) to spend a few days in California with my Mom. Sunny warm weather, a great resort, and a change of scenery...did I even need to give it a second thought? Needless to say, we had a great time. We swam, we relaxed, we shopped, and the kids were good little travelers. Does it get any better than that?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully, the kids love the beach just as much as I do!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Amelia's dream come true. She's in a serious "I LOVE horses!" phase and talks constantly about wanting to ride a horse. Well, a street fair in Palm Springs came through for her and she rode that pony with pride!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia sure loves her Grandma!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN9E2KJS682CyQ441boPybnlhnTCfydJL9_8oqNZONjZEIXaX0PnsN2f9eVlstOIa4mtbMvdVYxqPdJvmN48crd1ffHnobeH3xLMYmLpdLmsgboMbpZDLkTufOmhi5pJSesirYNLQCyvg/s1600/IMG_8323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN9E2KJS682CyQ441boPybnlhnTCfydJL9_8oqNZONjZEIXaX0PnsN2f9eVlstOIa4mtbMvdVYxqPdJvmN48crd1ffHnobeH3xLMYmLpdLmsgboMbpZDLkTufOmhi5pJSesirYNLQCyvg/s320/IMG_8323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-57093062405163731742012-04-12T19:49:00.001-07:002012-04-12T19:50:18.616-07:00Piano Recital!I'm finally getting around to sharing the video of Graham performing at his very first piano recital. Better late than never, right?<br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iGdVIIh7zGw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-76696658349775734712012-04-08T17:20:00.004-07:002012-04-08T17:23:07.713-07:00Happy Easter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIDukliyTf2Qd4v_dc_Pc6rUp1s4Yp-LZWwU1kXHOLFoMWNw4xrvWeyC6lLCNPcODRml7ve11wSk7DndL0bsHC-mAq6E1GNlR-az32kj7Uzah1qrrz1T-qo4iHsmdQ5k9s5TDVBCyX3xo/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729189868287119778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIDukliyTf2Qd4v_dc_Pc6rUp1s4Yp-LZWwU1kXHOLFoMWNw4xrvWeyC6lLCNPcODRml7ve11wSk7DndL0bsHC-mAq6E1GNlR-az32kj7Uzah1qrrz1T-qo4iHsmdQ5k9s5TDVBCyX3xo/s320/DSC_0538.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wHKNJp4SCJCBPNGmD3FF3_xhjDwNb_UNMgPjs_i0c1-o3TyHJsY4rVAu0myjIaOBZ8eJoUXhEoOkFeJhkgEbgf7qgMDcGz2qd8LEZFrwPw1Jqi9icqHIJAXSCDBUtrYZFS5G1qkTA6kr/s1600/DSC_0539.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729189711835836994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wHKNJp4SCJCBPNGmD3FF3_xhjDwNb_UNMgPjs_i0c1-o3TyHJsY4rVAu0myjIaOBZ8eJoUXhEoOkFeJhkgEbgf7qgMDcGz2qd8LEZFrwPw1Jqi9icqHIJAXSCDBUtrYZFS5G1qkTA6kr/s320/DSC_0539.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Y2O2vqAP4h9GAIUjMxpc1D5DCw85VsMW3hr3hUUGuy_7Pk422zsKan2mZ1aCfnRnMNx3BLt8hbLU1Hk-3rJtyHCSCUEM2SKRucCTFmoVzLW5_NmwRBxpw6AeQBjqJZV1dJR3hC8sD9w/s1600/DSC_0540.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729189601918701810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3Y2O2vqAP4h9GAIUjMxpc1D5DCw85VsMW3hr3hUUGuy_7Pk422zsKan2mZ1aCfnRnMNx3BLt8hbLU1Hk-3rJtyHCSCUEM2SKRucCTFmoVzLW5_NmwRBxpw6AeQBjqJZV1dJR3hC8sD9w/s320/DSC_0540.JPG" /></a>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-73892423530126834622012-04-02T18:53:00.003-07:002012-04-02T19:26:09.945-07:00Happy 3rd Gotcha Day!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q0j538-Jz3HFpAPkHKKshruaMs5hZ_vMvlE5AQSo7sO8E2g7xpVZ4XkZvFbmdOMPrsISipK-PxJzf_ZVljkkSx2heYrqn_YqDKNasa90dAve5v8iN16Uno3hO1s-lXRfYmBmwZIoAxi1/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726987830249853042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q0j538-Jz3HFpAPkHKKshruaMs5hZ_vMvlE5AQSo7sO8E2g7xpVZ4XkZvFbmdOMPrsISipK-PxJzf_ZVljkkSx2heYrqn_YqDKNasa90dAve5v8iN16Uno3hO1s-lXRfYmBmwZIoAxi1/s320/DSC_0507.JPG" /></a><br />I'm not sure what's up with Amelia's silly grin here, but she was insistent that her new silver shoes be pictured, and this was the only shot to show off her new shoes. :)<br /><br />Three years ago today, we flew home from Korea with our little little princess. Our world was turned upside down for quite a while as we adjusted to being a family of four, got to know Amelia, and very slowly earned Amelia's trust. Now, when I look back, those challenging days are nothing more than a distant memory. Amelia is one resilient little girl and I am so incredibly lucky to be able to call her my daughter. She's incredibly kind and compassionate and not to mention, she's one of the best shopping partners out there (seriously, she is!) and her love for shoes rivals my own obsession. At three years home, here are some of Amelia's favorites: anything related to ponies, baby dolls, anything princess, any type of art project, books, books, and more books, Graham, napping, meat (no joke-she would live off of protein if we let her), shoes, dresses/skirts rather than pants, hair bows, and nail polish. As you can probably gather from this list, Amelia is about as girly as they come and I'm loving every single minute of it.<br /><br /> We love you forever, and ever, and ever Amelia and are so incredibly thankful and lucky to have you as our daughter! Thank you for being you!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwPLWJhOoXRsRneScgcaSjz9F2GJ1gZzPRf3twZy_w6O44IkFG0o5vhYREI7WZM6iiKf2uAZ9uGDxYam0YhYDjJ2f8dOEb0w4epoeJumr8_8mBOLTxmXdtVc8Dp6d0EsDK5SB-SvxuRQL/s1600/DSC_0511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726986952773897122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwPLWJhOoXRsRneScgcaSjz9F2GJ1gZzPRf3twZy_w6O44IkFG0o5vhYREI7WZM6iiKf2uAZ9uGDxYam0YhYDjJ2f8dOEb0w4epoeJumr8_8mBOLTxmXdtVc8Dp6d0EsDK5SB-SvxuRQL/s320/DSC_0511.JPG" /></a>And because Graham likes reminding Amelia that her 'Gotcha Day' means that his baby sister came home from Korea, I figured I would include a picture of the two of them together.<br /><div></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-79055694281367120852012-03-27T17:21:00.002-07:002012-03-27T17:24:05.775-07:003 going on 16?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUWO8pRc9MeF7KUH91MeFENk9YSubEjsVTgfwZNPnXdKzCDmeBob8ZFie86bh2m8QiPv5ReKlhuNO9zhrOED2Vzw5QWW1X3wPVp_YUYQJL2RvoIsONvA_YfXY4EDG1sMC9msNBZ3ou9OM/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724737136503588850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUWO8pRc9MeF7KUH91MeFENk9YSubEjsVTgfwZNPnXdKzCDmeBob8ZFie86bh2m8QiPv5ReKlhuNO9zhrOED2Vzw5QWW1X3wPVp_YUYQJL2RvoIsONvA_YfXY4EDG1sMC9msNBZ3ou9OM/s320/DSC_0503.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-59736118749703979752012-03-24T18:32:00.006-07:002012-03-24T18:41:47.493-07:00Thankful<div>Tonight, I am thankful for a March evening warm enough to spend at the park and an ice cream treat to end our day. Slides and ice cream outside at this time of year are unheard of around here...not that we're complaining though!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuHJ0dVAJyP6JVvhT89W7UL2h5YhQ6NI0uiV-fEhiF3Mi4eWnp0cO162ivxI3gZdkj1RO34UoQSwd-BB_oovA_ucu9eh1qZ8ih2pKQt6V53J7KvkA3D85o0NHeT_IyrJ4Y1evUwa943i5/s1600/2012-03-24+18.32.42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723643368800658610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuHJ0dVAJyP6JVvhT89W7UL2h5YhQ6NI0uiV-fEhiF3Mi4eWnp0cO162ivxI3gZdkj1RO34UoQSwd-BB_oovA_ucu9eh1qZ8ih2pKQt6V53J7KvkA3D85o0NHeT_IyrJ4Y1evUwa943i5/s320/2012-03-24+18.32.42.jpg" /></a><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzI42y_1D9x4e3gFu2Z9PRBU10ToasC8Yz1HzUlmp_QltC7MbHLYq5VWNf2TUr8SuNQZIMaRFzzWb_8Bv56eYwZBjgUE_Qg5w1a2qS39qkWRdwiOVHwhCHyMr4CBcWSt3DXmi-2hTeC6lZ/s1600/2012-03-24+18.32.53.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723642534491061954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzI42y_1D9x4e3gFu2Z9PRBU10ToasC8Yz1HzUlmp_QltC7MbHLYq5VWNf2TUr8SuNQZIMaRFzzWb_8Bv56eYwZBjgUE_Qg5w1a2qS39qkWRdwiOVHwhCHyMr4CBcWSt3DXmi-2hTeC6lZ/s320/2012-03-24+18.32.53.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2slb8BGiu3TY8cZqRd8UIj1pgVyBrLgolrZhnAnUW7VF4uUMqQ_Cj7ElGJp7rFzgD75KQdhVqu10Wlrezt9eOrRS1jpPjM70XxmBgaCvoQfKi_7ulx18Nzpx9tjGeovZCJN0ReNyvgJy/s1600/2012-03-24+18.56.33.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723641815994973810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2slb8BGiu3TY8cZqRd8UIj1pgVyBrLgolrZhnAnUW7VF4uUMqQ_Cj7ElGJp7rFzgD75KQdhVqu10Wlrezt9eOrRS1jpPjM70XxmBgaCvoQfKi_7ulx18Nzpx9tjGeovZCJN0ReNyvgJy/s320/2012-03-24+18.56.33.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-71725404982358491102012-02-29T13:13:00.005-08:002012-02-29T13:25:00.002-08:00A snow day at last!!As a former teacher, there was nothing better than a snow day. But, now as the mother to two kids who I feel are growing up WAY too fast, my feeling on this wintry days was confirmed...there is nothing better than a snow day! The kids have pretty much called the shots today, and it's been great. An extra episode of Dora this morning (while I got to read)...sure! Fresh blueberry muffins (with permission to lick the batter covered spoons) and hot chocolate for breakfast...sure! Baking chocolate chip cookies and really enjoying the dough...sure! Snowmen and sledding outside...absolutely!<br /><br />The roads are already beginning to clear so I know that tomorrow we'll be back to our usual schedule, but it sure was nice for the day to have nothing, absolutely nothing, that needed to be done!<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCAnQP6RJ1mCJS4KU7bNK-bLj1yhEAQX4XmVmzL5lcsvW5VTbfP6L59zuT7TSFZrmRjt-qIsCWjlpTn0uQ5Rvmc0F9t8dDyAhr6otrE10dzyEl1g2XbLxDBGy8WEzZFq8m1307Y_FFIxr/s1600/2012-02-29+11.34.08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714669241306680530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCAnQP6RJ1mCJS4KU7bNK-bLj1yhEAQX4XmVmzL5lcsvW5VTbfP6L59zuT7TSFZrmRjt-qIsCWjlpTn0uQ5Rvmc0F9t8dDyAhr6otrE10dzyEl1g2XbLxDBGy8WEzZFq8m1307Y_FFIxr/s320/2012-02-29+11.34.08.jpg" /></a>Can I just say how much I love that Amelia calls her sled a "sleigh"! She likes everything to be fancy in her world!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvR1hsX_zYMglzg2KRYW3znLzrAM_7CujlqW8aZ2yG3tQF0crU_fzWH3OchrW2YQ6SCmP5ViKgecfMqSaJEl165iM3fUjLLDvMWJz3gbLeiYftLvbBXpk8-qpPKd7C-zXi8COW8fZM7dS/s1600/2012-02-29+11.32.07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714669169598433218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvR1hsX_zYMglzg2KRYW3znLzrAM_7CujlqW8aZ2yG3tQF0crU_fzWH3OchrW2YQ6SCmP5ViKgecfMqSaJEl165iM3fUjLLDvMWJz3gbLeiYftLvbBXpk8-qpPKd7C-zXi8COW8fZM7dS/s320/2012-02-29+11.32.07.jpg" /></a>And yes, he has mittens, just hates them. I choose my battles.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hKuUJV3gYwfpkdOWUptB72ZUdaethnF4MWo6tAWoqJVJ3Ztf4P4jWTFzlzzGAS0Jgv7m7XpSZUp_HoTGRHJeqDSSzrAjPivucOVV6RoEAx02sovCBDFW037naV4bY-Lii4-NNXgIFOrs/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714669071435176754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hKuUJV3gYwfpkdOWUptB72ZUdaethnF4MWo6tAWoqJVJ3Ztf4P4jWTFzlzzGAS0Jgv7m7XpSZUp_HoTGRHJeqDSSzrAjPivucOVV6RoEAx02sovCBDFW037naV4bY-Lii4-NNXgIFOrs/s320/DSC_0429.JPG" /></a></div><br /></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-36476961230922628302012-02-22T16:28:00.001-08:002012-02-22T16:45:25.245-08:00Amelia gets her way....The bad blogger Mama is back....<br /><br />I fully admit to pushing the blog waaaaay onto the back burner for the past month. We've been insanely busy (a 5th birthday, a trip to Kauai for Daddy Jeff and I, a trip to Arizona for the kids with Grandma and Grandpa while Daddy Jeff and I were on the beach, dance lessons, piano lessons, swimming lessons, preschool, two Valentines Day parties, and plain old life, keep us on our toes every single day) and to be honest, sitting down to blog, doesn't always end up on the top of my 'to do' list. I promise to put forth better effort going forward though...<br /><br />When the kids play together, which they're doing a very nice job of lately, Graham usually decides the game and the rules for the game. Usually, it involved Darth Vader and his crew taking over the Barbie house, but Amelia is just happy to have a willing playmate. Tonight though, Amelia got her way. She has a hair stylist set that she loves and she convinced Graham to play "hair cutter" with her.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwerSPl7kgqYhRejmqc5LuW0Z2ghWlxS_MRkN_BR4pviFqYRTt0NYLq8w0o6PcP73CFo1V61WerHeREomk53Jyy18fJPzUcE9EcA4T6nzhPjGs7ppTYz71yMgDli5WOl8Jm2JmmdlTlMH/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712122919508713634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwerSPl7kgqYhRejmqc5LuW0Z2ghWlxS_MRkN_BR4pviFqYRTt0NYLq8w0o6PcP73CFo1V61WerHeREomk53Jyy18fJPzUcE9EcA4T6nzhPjGs7ppTYz71yMgDli5WOl8Jm2JmmdlTlMH/s320/DSC_0365.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bbZAyPptbZrr2QP3XiTHRVNYpd6eWuZaCP9pcJ4u7SDSVlCZit-xY_kMBOQC6soCd4-SKwhRTmRDZ_7GlqjHKlqVmv1ClwPaNinTYATDc81uf3OPV4ZIPpzmzrdfV6bqXGjF53lI51CY/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712122754274147202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bbZAyPptbZrr2QP3XiTHRVNYpd6eWuZaCP9pcJ4u7SDSVlCZit-xY_kMBOQC6soCd4-SKwhRTmRDZ_7GlqjHKlqVmv1ClwPaNinTYATDc81uf3OPV4ZIPpzmzrdfV6bqXGjF53lI51CY/s320/DSC_0362.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxpx67tfS6q4q1Rr6ki7FGRObzlvaqO9FQ3jUFvbRoVNiI9MqTPOiwD8oZflEW71vmS3dNaroF8Y9Qq8a8mfJgZ1khMqnDgwtGypxSTqVkNQIgHmxkgelYdSJFg5AJ3YWaXuikYuamSKw/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712122607443524130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxpx67tfS6q4q1Rr6ki7FGRObzlvaqO9FQ3jUFvbRoVNiI9MqTPOiwD8oZflEW71vmS3dNaroF8Y9Qq8a8mfJgZ1khMqnDgwtGypxSTqVkNQIgHmxkgelYdSJFg5AJ3YWaXuikYuamSKw/s320/DSC_0370.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPUPzPCQbt3jul8RiEW1OcnKBhl21Iv7MGitTJi7bRV17Gec2rQF08nZ1crH7gl4VJ9PgFEqq90XwlC_wON3DXPGayr0zZm1iHG1qvXHD4C11_TtxMyH_BDp6ApKha1LsKwGRM0wqo0p8/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712122466779214002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPUPzPCQbt3jul8RiEW1OcnKBhl21Iv7MGitTJi7bRV17Gec2rQF08nZ1crH7gl4VJ9PgFEqq90XwlC_wON3DXPGayr0zZm1iHG1qvXHD4C11_TtxMyH_BDp6ApKha1LsKwGRM0wqo0p8/s320/DSC_0369.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hRUCRwrfvnoW9mn1PwYQPTTnfRqHAiU2jSWeGl844XPQeGffArst38-Udb5KsJfJduJoHcwqHBpmXUjjDcN0_RPFnVBPLCPN3ODLbNQZ2hxBgvwlieeM9pZoBuoPYyEfW1iZy25jvt1U/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712122255439135906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hRUCRwrfvnoW9mn1PwYQPTTnfRqHAiU2jSWeGl844XPQeGffArst38-Udb5KsJfJduJoHcwqHBpmXUjjDcN0_RPFnVBPLCPN3ODLbNQZ2hxBgvwlieeM9pZoBuoPYyEfW1iZy25jvt1U/s320/DSC_0375.JPG" /></a>I love Graham's expression in this picture-he takes the blow dryer very seriously and does a pretty good impression of the way it actually sounds!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">And, on a completely random note, here is a cute quote from a conversation I overheard today. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Amelia:I really want to be a princess when I grow up.</div><div align="left">Graham: You can't be a princess, Amelia. You have to have a REAL job!</div><div align="left">Amelia: Like what?</div><div align="left">Graham: How about you be a clown?<br /></div><div align="left">Clearly, Daddy Jeff and I need to do a better job instilling high career aspirations in the two of them! :)</div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-13247524424584035612012-01-17T19:41:00.001-08:002012-01-17T19:50:28.328-08:00Time FliesGraham officially turns 5 (!) on Sunday, but tonight we celebrated with a party for his friends. Pictures on the blog will come later, but as I quickly looked through them tonight (thank you Sara for all the great shots!), I couldn't help but feel sentimental. My little guy isn't so little anymore but he happens to be growing up into a very cool kid that I am so incredibly proud of!<br /><br />Graham and I in Seoul the very first time we met...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifspkWRpnnEokLPSQejxXHchqt4ZxC6GBr4-b4P1WGX1L54C8pr4ihyphenhyphenMmCpj3kozCw59zWS-4L32kmL41O07WCkqSTb4rhAcxuk_qolr2PhA6XwwVdromReeb2mhr1B4dECUb2_-liuvmt/s1600/PICT0766.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698812313415315490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifspkWRpnnEokLPSQejxXHchqt4ZxC6GBr4-b4P1WGX1L54C8pr4ihyphenhyphenMmCpj3kozCw59zWS-4L32kmL41O07WCkqSTb4rhAcxuk_qolr2PhA6XwwVdromReeb2mhr1B4dECUb2_-liuvmt/s320/PICT0766.JPG" /></a><br />And tonight, at Graham's 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> birthday party. Wow, does time fly...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndkkW8XC6ctzsglXzHxedq2glgKwv_mLlqJ3i8hFEqxWJFtPCVv4Yam6mXQzg91kOGmrUAHGxpNloSgzyN5VpADtBZ5yLfF5isYpX1tO4WG1Cc-cvvFX0FxVyG02hY6KnILGnc-aI_xIG/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698812217272345250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndkkW8XC6ctzsglXzHxedq2glgKwv_mLlqJ3i8hFEqxWJFtPCVv4Yam6mXQzg91kOGmrUAHGxpNloSgzyN5VpADtBZ5yLfF5isYpX1tO4WG1Cc-cvvFX0FxVyG02hY6KnILGnc-aI_xIG/s320/DSC_0177.JPG" /></a></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-38639311475800087052012-01-15T19:34:00.000-08:002012-01-15T19:54:21.729-08:00Swimming LessonsIt's official, both kids LOVE their swimming lessons!<br /><br />This is the first year that Amelia has taken her lesson without a parent in the water with her and she's doing a great job! She is VERY cautious when jumping into the water (more like the teacher has to pull her in) but once she's in, she's all smiles!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJEqi0Cl3ZMCobHh2XKAR_dpC05IMyOmQFKGFvml8_ZdlFfUB-WKwJktl5G1HChsNfmN8Rvh0J5wHyFOVuLP1B-5KcqNsKHhMnmWtn2p118xGhg6jrmI8EJS2gJC0Onxnok0_KjPnTdpO/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698070102283836802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJEqi0Cl3ZMCobHh2XKAR_dpC05IMyOmQFKGFvml8_ZdlFfUB-WKwJktl5G1HChsNfmN8Rvh0J5wHyFOVuLP1B-5KcqNsKHhMnmWtn2p118xGhg6jrmI8EJS2gJC0Onxnok0_KjPnTdpO/s320/DSC_0168.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32PR3dqzVazQCq7IE3orKHuYFwjCaGUfziLwJoM-4DfkL-PbzDjZM5szFmEVvOp-4rfnqD8ra1qW9mZeFMCsA3frJ-b7AfwXKE5TajIvCbuVai_KqxecBH-mVD4y_G0s05aUWEyMv2Zzl/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698069929854013714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32PR3dqzVazQCq7IE3orKHuYFwjCaGUfziLwJoM-4DfkL-PbzDjZM5szFmEVvOp-4rfnqD8ra1qW9mZeFMCsA3frJ-b7AfwXKE5TajIvCbuVai_KqxecBH-mVD4y_G0s05aUWEyMv2Zzl/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Graham is also doing a great job! His aspirations include not only passing Red Cross Level 1, but to also exit his current level as a scuba diver-air tank and all. The kid can barely float on his own so I have a hunch that nobody is going to be strapping an air tank to his back and hading over a mask and flippers. Yes, he's in for quite the surprise....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_r5awWf8DY2w8qx3p5Tjf2PFWRAfW7jfyRxFVJpgFcTnkzNYS5_ZTsSzAzlbLOWYx2ox-xA8wPA0HHgN9XosYS-YcR0eGZklE7CH-DeolB7jnim12BECvUJ0NX9zgQImWy5GMFMkqkEow/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698069779616787106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_r5awWf8DY2w8qx3p5Tjf2PFWRAfW7jfyRxFVJpgFcTnkzNYS5_ZTsSzAzlbLOWYx2ox-xA8wPA0HHgN9XosYS-YcR0eGZklE7CH-DeolB7jnim12BECvUJ0NX9zgQImWy5GMFMkqkEow/s320/DSC_0173.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95uz6tMH4mTYxzsjcII66YT-HKgJzjq5DH52gwttAE6HQIGuvyGlK2hPfEVWE4RrBATPnpDW4U76ZlWcbci3S8jq-Rxk1-tQWqHwbk9xiuLJq4-8yG9dJ7Vj1YlONvf145HCuTvcfqJnn/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698068609863064594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95uz6tMH4mTYxzsjcII66YT-HKgJzjq5DH52gwttAE6HQIGuvyGlK2hPfEVWE4RrBATPnpDW4U76ZlWcbci3S8jq-Rxk1-tQWqHwbk9xiuLJq4-8yG9dJ7Vj1YlONvf145HCuTvcfqJnn/s320/DSC_0174.JPG" /></a> <strong>Mr. Independent likes to do it all by himself. Heaven forbid anyone try to help...</strong></div></div></div>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256263808882310255.post-25865403201969029982012-01-07T19:36:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:35:07.651-08:00Slumber Party!<div align="center">At the request of two very persuasive little people, this is the sleeping arrangement for tonight! We'll see how this goes...<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGekEtmMzrT3Vl16ILQT0lWBGt-vDnbRCWotGpQzFQ01TMjYhcA5Krm0xZL-4FM7W0bwB47-Glee0yxM2pclG7xkMF0XCvXhOJhdcxJPun4oz4UbpHmJ6VeeNGU_oK-F7BpkjbtedPCHp/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695100162281016322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGekEtmMzrT3Vl16ILQT0lWBGt-vDnbRCWotGpQzFQ01TMjYhcA5Krm0xZL-4FM7W0bwB47-Glee0yxM2pclG7xkMF0XCvXhOJhdcxJPun4oz4UbpHmJ6VeeNGU_oK-F7BpkjbtedPCHp/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center"></a><br /><strong>UPDATE: After some unwanted kicking and biting by both individuals, promted by a lack of personal space, the slumber party was called off at 12:40 am. Perhaps when they're a little bit older we'll try again! :)<br /></p></strong>Melissa and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964785697849939390noreply@blogger.com1