2 1/2 Year Checkup

We took Amelia to her pediatrician for her 2 1/2 year well-check a couple of weeks ago.

She ogled herself in the mirror, as usual:


Even while Daddy was trying to have a moment:

Getting checked out:

Dr. K declared her to be "perfect". She was so pleased with Amelia's physical abilities and language.

Amelia weighed in at 30 pounds, 2 ounces and is 36 inches tall. She got 2 vaccinations -- an updated meningitis and the seasonal flu shot.

It was a great check-up. It's always nice to have our opinions of Amelia confirmed by the professional!

Weekend Fun! November 5-7

Friday 11/5

We all went downtown for Friday night happy hour dinner with friends.

Amelia insisted on wearing her princess dress:


Waiting for the others at the restaurant:

Amelia was not exhibiting her best behavior, so it was a quick night!

Saturday 11/6

In the morning, we went to a local art event:

Amelia decorated some gift bags for some lucky recipients this Christmas:

We did some running around and then came back home for nap time.

Even after she woke up, she still wasn't quite ready to get up:

And she laid there watching part of a soccer game on tv -- the game that Daddy was at:

After dinner, Amelia and I went out for a sweet treat:

She tried to steal mine!

Soon Daddy came home, and Mommy got a chance to run out for some free time!

Sunday 11/7

Being silly with Daddy:

Doing some shopping for Christmas -- she loved those big toy advertisements!

All dressed up for church!

Wearing her sassy new boots!

Heading in!

She loves going there -- they have play time, color time and snack time!

After a quick afternoon nap, it was time to get up and head outside for the Veteran's Day parade!

"Cheesing" at Mommy:

All ready for the parade to start!

Waving at the Veterans:

Later, it was time to be all goofy and play dress-up:

It wasn't a terribly busy weekend, which was a lot of fun!!

Weekend Fun - California Trip - Part 2

Saturday 10/23

Dad and Jeff joined me for my morning quiet time, which was okay, because it was drizzling the whole time anyway.

Dad and me:


The three of us met up with Brent and Meredith and we drove over to my cousin Eli's gym to watch him practice his gymnastics.

Practicing the high bar:

Video (taken on cell phone - pretty fuzzy):

Here's a "where's waldo" picture of the gym (hint - he's on a pommel horse):

After about an hour of watching Eli do his thing, we headed back to our hotel to check out & get some lunch along the main street of Seal Beach.

We met back up with my uncle's family to walk around Olvera Street - where the city of Los angeles was settled way back in 1818

Uncle Ron, Aunt Nancy and (cousin) Oliver:

Meanwhile, back at home...

It was a typical, fun Saturday morning. Daddy and Amelia went downtown for the farmer's market.

All dressed and ready to go:

Amelia showed off her dance moves for the passers-by:

And enjoyed a cookie snack at the bookstore:

Later that afternoon, she got all dressed up in her Fairy costume and went to the local community Halloween party.

Flitting about, just like a fairy:

Selecting a pumpkin:

This picture is a true statement of Amelia -- a little poof of pink in a world of gray:

Choosing some candy:

Enjoying a treat:

And, of course, a trip to the playground before they headed home.

Sunday 10/24:

I have no pictures from my trip for Sunday. It was spent travelling home!

Meanwhile... back at home:

All dressed up for church - quick playtime before they left:

Later, the headed out to a soccer game:

It was a good trip, but I was happy to be home!

Daddy did a GREAT time one-on-one with Amelia. She was always very well dressed, with nicely-done hair! :)

Weekend Fun - California Trip - Part 1

For those of you not "in the know", my family took my mom's ashes out to Southern California a couple of weeks ago.

Wednesday 10/20

We flew in around noon on Wednesday, and the afternoon was spent grabbing the rental car, stopping for some groceries, and getting settled into the hotel at Seal Beach. We walked down to the pier, hitting some little shops along the way.

Jeff, Uncle Ron, Dad, Meredith, me and Brent on the pier at Seal Beach:


Getting closer to sunset:

Dad, brothers and me:

Sunset over the water:

My aunt Nancy joined us for a nice seafood dinner:

Meanwhile.... back at home, Chris had strict orders. I wanted (at minimum) a picture of her all dressed for the day, and a picture of her doing whatever they were up to while I was gone.

All ready to go to her Sitter's house:

Having supper with Daddy (on the table in front of her is the candle she made at her sitter's house):

Thursday 10/21

One year from the day my mom passed away.

My poor body never adjusted to California time, but the result was actually a blessing. The first morning, I woke at 4:30am. This allowed me to talk to my girl before she left for her sitter's house, relax and watch some tv, have a leisurely breakfast, and (best of all) walk down to the beach before 7am.

It was so quiet that time of the day, and I had the most wonderful time reading, singing, talking to my mom (in spirit).... just the most glorious personal time.

Seal beach at 7am:

Later, I met up with the others, and we decided to visit some places from long ago when we lived out here.

First stops: Sunset Beach and Huntington Beach

Next stop: Our old church--

Next stop - our old house!

Our former across-the-street neighbors welcomed us with open arms, and it was fun to reminisce with people that knew us kids when we were just little ones.

We went back to the hotel to get freshened up and such, and then later headed back out to go to Long Beach.

We took a charter boat out into the harbor, past the break waters, to scatter my mom's ashes.

The boat:

The men, ready to head out:

The family, with the Queen Mary in the background:

Looking back at Long Beach:

Send the ashes down to the water:

It was a lovely little memorial, a great time as a family.

And back at home..... our girl all ready to go to her Sitter's house:

Later, Amelia and Daddy met up with friends for dinner:

Friday 10/22

Another nice (EARLY) morning of reflection:

We all hit the road and went on a ride down the PCH to Laguna Beach:

The beach there is beautiful:

And the best part - the tide pools:

Dad and me:

The family:

Next, we drove back north to Newport Beach and then crossed over to Balboa Island:

And I stumbled upon a restaurant with a lovely name! This sounds like our house -- it's pretty much always Amelia's restaurant!

We drove back to the hotel and got cleaned up for dinner.

We met up with my aunt and uncle, and my cousins Eli, Oliver and Sam:

And back at home....

After work, Daddy and Amelia went downtown to walk around:

Did some window shopping:

And a nice little ice cream stop: