Happy 6 Years (Warning: Slight Sappiness Ahead)!

Six years ago Sean and I got married in beautiful Southern Maryland, under a gazebo, while thunderstorms loomed in the distance. It was hot and muggy and all of our family and friends were there sweating, but showing their love and support. Thankfully the rain held off until we were safely inside for the reception. I always tell people that outdoor weddings aren't for the faint of heart, but that I wouldn't have changed a thing!

Six years later we are going out to dinner on another hot and muggy night. We've had some absolutely incredible adventures together so far. We've run races and climbed mountains and brought a remarkable new life into our family. We are so very blessed and I know for sure that I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Happy Anniversary! Here's to many many more adventures.

XOXOXO

Denial

We are moving 5 weeks from tomorrow. We have not really done anything to prepare in terms of going through all of our junk and sorting things out. Our first pack-out is on Wednesday, which will be the stuff that gets to Norfolk in about 30 days. I am just really dreading all of the organizing and unpacking, ugh!!

Oh, other things I'll miss:

1) Persianas. Those of you who visited may remember the really heavy duty window blinds that block out all light and noise. These are a lifesaver in August when you have a sleepy baby and extremely loud vacationing neighbors. I want these back in the states!!

2) My lemon tree. It is finally producing tons of ripe lemons!! I'm going to live on homemade lemonade for 5 weeks straight!

Things I can't wait for:

1) Kitchen conveniences. Especially a garbage disposal, ice maker, and sink sprayer. Once you've had these, it is hard to be without for 3 years! I'll make sure we have these in our next house. They pretty much don't exist in Spain.

2) Movie theaters with more than one option (in English).

Maybe this weekend we'll accomplish something. Wish us luck!

Tree Hugger

I promise I didn't put her up to this! For some reason, Mia (we are finally trying out the nickname) loves this cork tree in the front yard. She will crawl over to it, and pat it and hug it and say "tee". My budding environmentalist!!

Pigtails

Amelia's hair has grown so much this past month. It is really thick and wavy and beautiful! She definitely inherited her hair from her father since I was a baldy until age 5! Luckily she still has two separate eyebrows:) Too bad she won't let me do anything with her hair. I have all these cute headbands and barrettes, but she just rips them off immediately. Somehow I was able to get two little pigtails in while she was distracted with dinner. Such a big girl!

We've got the fever

Not posting much lately because all free time is spent watching the Olympics! Amelia has watched more tv this past week than she did her entire first year of life. Oh well, it's about reaching your dreams and going for the gold--can't be that bad right? When I asked her today which Olympic sport she wanted to do she said "sssuuuuhhhh". Soccer it is! (Or saber? cycling? suuhhwimming??)

Truce

Amelia and the horse have reached an agreement. She can pet him and rest her head on him but she still won't crawl over him to get outside. So far so good!

It's Official

Sean's orders came in today and we are officially leaving Spain on Saturday October 4th. While it is nice to have a date so we can start planning all the gazillion things we need to do, it is also really, really strange that we won't be living here anymore. In about a month, we'll probably move out of our Spanish beach house into temporary housing on base... sigh... I've been keeping a mental list of the things I'll really miss, and the things I'm very much looking forward to in the states. Besides the very important and obvious (I'll miss our friends and lifestyle here, but can't wait to be closer to friends and family back in the states) here is some of my list...

I'll really miss:

- Tinto de Verano con limon, the light version of sangria. I know I can make it in the states, but I just don't think it will be the same, and I don't actually want it to be the same

- Siesta. This is such a uniquely Spanish (and Italian), wonderful concept. Everyone goes home from work/school at around 2pm for about 2 hrs and just chills out together as a family. Nobody really naps, but they just have lunch and hang out. It is all about family here. Not that we really took advantage of this, but i'll just miss knowing that it is going on. Even though sometimes it really drove me crazy when i wanted to shop at 3pm...

- The love affair with babies and children. Spanish folks adore children. Maybe Americans do too and i never noticed because I didn't have one of my own until last year. But everywhere we go we get comments and smiles and there are always kids dressed in adorable matching outfits getting away with murder.

I can't wait for:

- Restaurants!! Sean and I have been dreaming about eating at No Frill Grill in Norfolk for 3+ years. The Spotswood Melt and Funky Chicken Sandwich to be exact. But just some good variety in restaurant fare with reasonable dining hours will be amazing!

- TIVO! Yes, we love our tv. We can't wait to try out this cool DVR stuff and get addicted to a bunch of terrible shows, but not feel guilty about it because we can watch them in half the time without all the commericals!

- Fall weather. I love the sunny, mild weather in Spain, but it will be so nice to be moving back just as it is starting to get crisp and cool and i can buy fall flowers for my porch.

Anyway, just an update. More random thoughts to come in future posts.

BDAY BBQ

Round 2 of Amelia's 1st Birthday consisted of a BBQ with some friends and their kiddos. I thought she'd be overwhelmed by it all, but she seemed to enjoy the attention! She also had her first cheeseburger and more cake! It doesn't get much better. Again, tons more photos up on website soon.

Group shot!

Birthdays are the best!

Can I have cake everyday?

Grandma W visit

It was fantastic to have Grandma W. and co. here for a week! Amelia was such a charmer. She started saying so many new things "nana"-we think "banana" or it might be what she wants to call Grandma...?, "turtle", "horse" (yay!) and a few others. Speaking of horses, Grandma bought her an adorable stuffed horse chair, and Amelia is terrified of it. So much so that we use it at the foot of the stairs and she won't go anywhere near it. I think we need about 10 more! Amelia also got a huge kick out of Grandma following her up the stairs when it was nap time. She laughed hysterically--it was so cute! Lots more photos to be up on photoalbum website soon.

Colleen, Grandma, Pauline and Amelia at the beach!

Sipping sherry in Jerez

Amelia and the "scary" horse chair