Ballerina

Amelia received a tutu for her birthday from her best friend. She wears it CONSTANTLY. We recently had a battle because she wanted to be a ballerina in the tub...uh no. ANYWAY, she recently learned how to pirouette. Very cute.

Asian Festival

One of the many advantages of living in Northern Virginia is that there are always cultural festivals going on in the city. We recently went to an Asian festival and had a chance to sample Eastern foods, games and cultural activities.

Amelia even had her hand painted!

Conversations with a 2 Year Old

We love our daughter. She is beautiful, strong, smart and funny in oh so many ways. Recently she has discovered the insect kingdom. Unfortunately in her mind all bugs are bees.

Amelia: Mamma a bee! (and doing a buzzing noise while waving her hand in the air)

Rachel: Honey, I think that is an ant.

Amelia: Bee

Rachel: Ant

Amelia: Baby bee?

Rachel: I'm pretty sure it is an ant sweetheart.


Amelia: No, bee.

Rachel: Uh, sure. (watching as the two year old crawls after the "bee")

Ants are related to bees right?

Busy Month!

This last month has been busy in every sense of the word. The end of May we went to Idaho Falls to visit family. It was a whirlwind of two weeks that included Joe's (my brother) mission farewell and departure, Great Grandpa Bodily's surprise birthday party, a trip to Bern to see Aunt Rissa graduate from high school, and a little party for Amelia and Grandma's birthday (pictures later). We partied.

It felt great to get home and be back with Nick and our life. Amelia's birthday is on June 3 and we got home on the 4th. So on June 6th we had a party with some of her friends at Hayes Park in Arlington, VA. It is a spray park, so water is spurting out everywhere and kids can run through the fountains. We also had a sandcastle cake. Everyone had a great time even though it was 100 degrees F.

Exploring Williamsburg

Over Spring Break, we decided to take a trip to Williamsburg (about 3 hours away). It was so fun. We rented a little cottage right outside the City of Williamsburg and were minutes away from old town, Jamestown and Yorktown. Here are some of the pictures.

This is a picture of Williamsburg while standing at the Governor's Mansion.

I "volunteered" to be a part of a court demonstration in the old Williamsburg courthouse. They must know trouble when they see it.

This is Amelia making flour in Jamestown. We start them early in this family!

Best Buds.

Finally, it isn't a vacation without a trip to the hotel's swimming pool.

Insane but Delectable Cookies

These are honestly the wierdest cookies I have EVER made. They are a cross between fudge, cookies and brownies. They are from the Martha Stewart website.

"Outrageous Chocolate Cookies"

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, roughly chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat chopped chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring in between, until almost melted; do not overheat.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy (very crucial: Must be shiny and fluffy-it takes awhile). Reduce speed to low; beat in melted chocolate. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chunks.

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 to 3 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are shiny and crackly yet soft in centers, 12 to 15 minutes (cook until just barely crackly on top). The dough is seriously like brownie batter, so you didn't do it wrong.

Cool on sheets 10 minutes; with a thin metal spatula, transfer to racks to cool completely.

These are seriously 'TO DIE' for.

Detroit Trip

Nick had finals. Thus, Amelia and I decided to take a mini vacation so he would have plenty of time and room to study. We went and visited some friends in Detroit. It was so great to see so many people and catch up. Thanks Mero's for letting us bunk at your pad!

This picture is of Amber Mero and Amelia just kickin it.