Kiawah Family Photo Shoot

Here are all of the professional photos we had taken while in Kiawah with the watermarking removed (no worries, we bought the rights).  These photos were fun to take.  We got to stay up late, run around the beach, hang with the family, and we got a lollypop as a treat at the end.  I think it was nearly 8 by the time Phin and I got to sleep; Eight is Late. Although, I do not really know what an 8 is - but I can now count to 5 fairly consistently.

Here are my favorites with me in them.  Look at me!  I'm so precious.

Dad says the rest of the Kiawah pictures are coming soon.

Lots of Love,
Amelia

Photo Shoot with Mom's side of the Family - Kiawah 2014

As you may know, last week we met Nana and Papa, and Lala and Eric in Kiawah, South Carolina.  While they all flew, we decided to drive on a crazy, near-sleepless, snack-filled adventure.  While the trip and the drives were great (except for the 3 hours of stop-and-go traffic on the way home), the beach was by far our favorite part.

To commemorate our trip we had a photographer come and take pictures of us on the beach.  Here are a few of the watermarked photos from the photographer's site.  More will come once we get the CD.

 

 

 

Peace Out,
Phin

Bike Exchange - Everyone's on two wheels

Hello readers,
After a great vacation in SC we are back with style and exciting news.  A couple of weeks ago, I ditched my balance bike, for a big guy bike with pedals (Thanks Harper and Eamon for lending it to me).   After a week with training wheels, so I could get used to the pedaling, and a week of vacation (where I did not ride a bike)... I am off and running biking on only two wheels.  You can check out my moves below. 

Please be aware that this was my first 30 minutes on a pedal bike without training wheels, so I still need a quick hand from Mom or Dad.  But, after more practice today I should be good on my own.  In addition to pedaling on the bike, I love to brake hard and squeak the tires - Amelia always says it makes a funny noise.  Click here or on the image to watch the video.

 

For those wondering, "What is Phin going to do with his old balance bike?"   I have shared the bike with Amelia, who was doing great in her first real balance bike riding experience.  I'm good at sharing.  Nice helmet Amelia.  Click here or on the image to watch her video.

 



I am sure more videos will be posted, as we improve (and start jumping things like a BMX).

 

Peace Out,

Phin

I'm Two (from MeeMoo)

I'm two!  On July 23 two years ago, I was born.  A lot has happened in the year since I turned One. 

• I can standup on my own,
• My hair has grown longer,
• I can pinch my brother (and strangers at the park),
• I can talk,
• I look better in dresses,
• My arms are less chubby,
• I no longer take monthly photo shoots,
• I'm slightly less afraid of dogs, squirrels, cats, and other animals,
• and I got to have a Cookie-Milk Party.

That's right, a Cookie-Milk Birthday Party!  A few days after my birthday, my Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, and Papa came in town; together my friends and Uncle David, we had a party!  Not just any party, a party to celebrate my love of cookies and milk (I actually do not drink too much milk, but I love to talk about drinking milk at meals).

We had my birthday party at one of Alexandria's soft playrooms - Dad says it is a racquetball court converted in a padded room with a ball pit, squishy climbing things, a cave, and fun things for little kiddos.  I think the best way to describe it is that the room has giant, colorful couch cushions that you can jump and climb on without getting in trouble.  After playing in the soft playroom, it was time to recharge our energy and sugar up.  TIME FOR COOKIES AND MILK.

Here I am blowing out my candles (although I needed Phin's help - his swimming lessons have expanded his lung capacity).  Dad thought it was funny that despite my love of cookies and milk, I did not actually eat cookies or milk at my party - just goldfish and fruit.  Thanks Nana, Grandma, and Mom for baking cookies for my party - there were 8 different kinds (none of which I actually ate).  And thank you to Phin for counting the different kinds of cookies - I can still only count to 4 reliably, although I know all my colors.

Since everyone was in town for my birthday, we decided to plan activities for the entire weekend.  First stop (on Sunday, the day after the party), McKee Beshers Wildlife Area (again) - to take everyone to see the sunflowers.  While the sunflowers were all floppy and had lost most of their petals (not pedals Phin - there were no cars in the field), Nana captured this great picture (above).

After a brief visit to the Sunflowers (brief since they were all floppy), we went to a nearby peach/apple orchard.  Unfortunately, they would not let you pick peaches or apples - just blackberries and flowers.  So after lunch, I sent the family out to fields to get me some blackberries and flowers, while I found a peach in the store and ate it.  Ahh, it's nice having family in town to do all of the work for you. 

It was a great weekend and you can see all of the photos by following this link.

Lots of Love,
Amelia

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Family and friends (and friend's family and even strangers) always tell Phin and I that we look like someone - usually our mother or father.  Dad's friends usually think we look more like him.  Mom's friends usually think we look more like her.  Family usually thinks we look like a combination of Mom and Dad.  Meanwhile, Dad says we are more like a peany butter honey sandwich - sometimes nuts, sometimes sweet, but always made of good components that are better together. 
(Note: I pronounce peanut butter and honey as peany butter honey - it's shorter and more fun this way).

To settle this dispute, Dad captured the following picture of me (on the right) and matched it up with this old photo of Mom (on the left).  As you can see, I clearly have Mom's:

• Interest in flowers,
• Appreciation for pigtails,
• Ears,
• Eyes (not visible in this photo, but they are both blue),
• Eye lids,
• Eyebrows,
• Chin (they are perfect matches for each other),
• Cheeks,
• Neck,
• Nose,
• Lips,
• Hair texture/style (but not her color, that is definitely Dad's color),
• and most importantly Hairline.

Don't worry Dad, I still have your sense of humor.

Lots of Love,
Amelia