Amelia is 7!

Birthday photo. 

I am still is shock that Amelia is now 7.  Where did the time go?  How did I get this old?  I find myself, once again, being nostalgic about my life.  It also doesn't help that stupid Facebook keeps flooding me with memories of years past as reminders.   

I now definitely have a kid on my hands.  

Amelia celebrated her birthday over a the course of a couple weeks.  This is because Chinese New Years was on her birthday and that is kind of a big deal around here.  People were traveling, we were traveling.  It also allowed her to turn 7 on a tropical island.  Now who could be upset about that!

Cake at the resort on her birthday. 

Amelia started planning and talking about her birthday party months before.  There came a point that I had to ban the subject because it became way too much.   Within the months of planning, she decided on the theme "American Girl Tea Party".   It was actually a pretty simple party to throw.  It also helped that I limited the guests to condo friends and only two school friends (ask me sometime about the parties we have been to from kids in her class.  WAY over the top).

They decorated their own "petit fours". 

She planned the games, menu and decorations.  Cecile and I got to do the cooking/decorating and Wade was the server.   The kids sat nicely during the tea portion and used their best manners.  One mom stopped by and stated it was the calmest party she has ever seen.  Just my style.

The crew and the server. 

Tea food. 

Amelia has grown to be a beautiful young lady.  She is loud and has an opinion at home,  but in the community/school she is reserved and caring.   She loves to help the little neighbors, her friends at school and family at home.   Amelia is also very artistic and loves anything with art and crafts (she is already saying next year's party is an art party).   The girl is also an avid gamer, who I now refuse to play most games with because I will lose.   Wade and her keep each other challenged.  She still loves gymnastics and just made SAS's U8 soccer team.  We will see where that leads.

Happiest of Birthdays Miss Amelia.  We love you and are very proud of who you are becoming.

New Zealand: Queenstown

Our final stop on our New Zealand trip was Queenstown.  It was also where we stayed the longest after many recommendations to do so.   We were glad we did.  

Queenstown is an amazing place for many reason.  It is flooded with extreme sport possibilities, easy to navigate with tons to do, great food, and within the three days were we there, we met 3 Cougs!   Yes folks, wearing Coug gear has done it again.   Another reason to love WSU and the community it has.  

View looking over Queenstown. 

We stayed at a very trendy hostel and our kids were the only ones in it.  The rest was filled with 20something "kids" there to work during the peak season, or traveling.   The location was great and allowed us to walk everywhere we wanted and needed to go.   Within the first day, we had found our watering hole and the kids a rope swing.  We spent the next three afternoons and nights there after the days adventures drinking and eating.  

Heading to the top of the luge.  Awesome view. 

During the days, we filled it was parks and hikes.  Amelia was dying to do some extreme sports, but due to size and age, we were limited.  We opted for the luge.  This resulted in awesome views on top of a mountain with more drinking and eating.   We truly lucked out with the weather and Queenstown is definitely a place I could see myself living (Don't worry family, there is no plans for this to transpire).  

Going up the tram. 

There seemed to be a plethora of rope swings around NZ.  The kids found them everywhere.  It equaled hours of fun.

The famous Fergburger.  I waited in line for over an hour. Wade said his wasn't worth it, mine was pretty good. 

Amelia's first shot.  Don't worry, it was water.   The waitress brought it for her.  

Going luging. 

The progression of the sunset from our room window. 

New Zealand: Milford Sound

We drove 8 hours roundtrip to take a three hour cruise.  I was not sure it was going to be worth it, but it was.   Even Wade said so.    Milford Sound is know for the fiords that dive into the sea below with tumbling waterfalls and mountain peaks.  It definitely is one of the most beautiful places in the 

world.

 

The cruise took us through a long passage to the sea.  At one point we were welcomed by a group of dolphins.   It was a smooth ride and a beautiful day.  

New Zealand: Lake Wanaka

Our next stop was Lake Wanaka.  It reminded Wade and I a LOT of Lake Chelan.   It was beautiful, but the rain limited what were wanted to do and as you can see in the pictures, we were cold.   We spent most of the time at a brewery drinking local beers and kids having fluffies (steamed milk with flavoring). 

Family time on the lake.

That night, the hostel we stayed in had a personal dining area and kitchen.   For dinner we cooked lamb chops with salad and NZ wine.  We all said it was our best dinner.   

Fluffies.

On the way to the lake we stopped at the ocean for a driving break.  It was a beautiful beach, but the sandflies were HORRIBLE.   Made it NOT enjoyable.