Happy Birthday Ben!

You can hardly tell this was taken over 15 years ago.

Impromptu pampering...

I was treated to a mini makeover today. I was on my way home from a doctor appointment and stopped to pick up a few items at the grocery store. I was browsing around in the deli when a woman approached me and (obviously aware that my hair was in need of help) offered to give me a free hair cut and highlights at a salon next door that had just opened. She needed two models to work on (practice on) and I figured a little trim couldn't hurt. Plus, it was an aveda salon, and I love aveda products. I've never had highlights before but they convinced me it wouldn't take too long and I know they're normally really expensive. So I went for it. Nearly 3 hours later, I walked out with a new look. Which I'm sure I will never be able to reproduce. Micaela was kind enough to entertain Amelia for nearly half the day while I was pampered. These monthly doctor visits aren't too bad...

Thanksgiving festivities...

Some pre-Thanksgiving dinner time in the leaves.















We enjoyed a fabulous dinner with family who traveled from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona to spend the weekend with us.















Amelia's Thanksgiving feast consisted of mashed potatoes and candy corns.


















A post-meal game of "try to catch a falling leaf".















On Saturday night, we all went to Mount Vernon for the Candlelight Evening Tour.


















Amelia enjoyed being the center of attention for the weekend.



















Amelia with Grandma Olsen and Grandpa Bob.



















Amelia with Aunt "Steffie"

The disappearance of camel...

Amelia with her precious camel.


For those of you who don't know, camel has been Amelia's faithful companion for nearly her whole life. It was a gift from her dad, along with a scorpion, tarantula, and vulture. For some reason, she really latched on to camel and we rarely go anywhere without him. It's a traumatic day when we have to give camel a bath. (Amelia reluctantly places him in the washer and then watches until he gets sucked under the water, at which point we quickly attempt to distract her and then listen for the next hour as she asks "where's camel?" over and over.)

My parents arrived the day before Thanksgiving and it was the most beautiful day. Sunny and in the 70s. So we went for a hike and went out to lunch and then came home to put Amelia down for a nap, only to discover that camel didn't make it home with us. I convinced her to take a nap with spider instead and my dad and I headed back out to retrace our steps on the hike. It was actually a good excuse to get back outside and enjoy the weather and the woods were absolutely gorgeous with all the leaves. Camel, however, is precisely the color of many of the fallen leaves so we became more worried as we remembered Amelia wandering off the path many times to collect sticks. We had almost reached the end when I spotted camel about 8 feet off the trail. This was not the first camel rescue mission, and probably not the last, but I was still relieved when Amelia woke up from her nap and immediately asked for camel and they were happily reunited.



















Amelia at the scene of the crime (notice the nice camouflage for camel)

Coming May 2008

the big day is upon us...

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. We have family coming from across the country to enjoy a fabulous meal and probably some not so fabulous weather (sorry Steph...we'll go to Arizona next time). On the plus side, there will probably still be some fall colors to enjoy (and some leaves to be raked). Things are still looking quite lovely outside, despite the late date in November.

I was able to ditch Amelia with Emma today (thanks Micaela) and get some serious Thanksgiving shopping done. The cupboards are now stocked and ready to feed the masses.

Amelia is also excited about the food. A conversation from this morning:

Amelia: What you doin' mama?
Me: I'm making my grocery list for the big dinner.
Amelia: Oh.
Me: Remember? The dinner where we get to eat turkey and potatoes...
Amelia: And BACON??!?!


obsessive-compulsive? i say beautiful.

How about...?

We finally figured out how to get Amelia to perform in front of the camera--simply flip the viewfinder around so she can see herself. Brilliant!

Solitude in Northern Virginia?

We went hiking a few days ago in Prince William Forest park to enjoy the fall colors. We weren't surprised when we hit traffic heading South. Even on a Saturday. In fact, we're never surprised when we hit traffic at anytime of the day around here. That's the one thing I don't like about living here. But we were amazed when we hiked for almost an hour without seeing one other person. It was great. Amelia loved riding in the "pack pack", and made her dad do a lot of running. The trail was completely covered in leaves and we were constantly walking through a gorgeous canopy of colors. Hooray for Fall.

a happy halloween...