Amelia meets the Train

After 6 months of life, Amelia finally met C-Train. In true Train form we met at a restaurant that serves Dutch Babies (Amelia is half Dutch!) for breakfast. Train lives south of us, so it was a special treat on our way out of town for vacation.

This is a special meeting because Train holds a special place in our lives. He has been a friend of Wade's since his freshman year in high-school and he was the officiant of our wedding. Train is also a teacher and one of the smartest people I know. It is great to have him on my side when we gain up on Wade with a political debate. The only time I feel I can win :).

Poor Man's Whiskey

People in trees, hula hoops and the best vegan pizza I have ever eaten (the only vegan pizza I have ever eaten) was all part of Wade's and my Friday night. My cousin's band was in town to perform at Summer Meltdown, a grassroots music festival in Darrington. Josh, and the rest of Poor Man's Whiskey, flew into Washington for a brief appearance before they headed back to San Fransisco the next morning. His band was hoping that the exposure would help them break into the Washington music scene.

So...I have taken it upon myself to help my fellow Washingtonians to get to know this awesome band!! I have seen them preform about 4 times live. All shows have been great, with this past Friday being my favorite so far. Click on the article, check out the music, and if you like what you hear...buy their new CD: Darkside of the Moonshine.


A small clip of Friday night. The crowd was really getting into it!!


My two cousins, Josh and Zack. They played our wedding 5 years ago this month. One of my favorite memories was having all the guests sing along during the candle lighting ceremony. We are very excited for Josh and Hirini's wedding in September.

"God"sisters/Lisa/Developments

I didn't know that there wasn't such a thing as a godsister, because in my family there IS!! I always assumed that if you had godparents, then their children were your godsiblings. For as long as I can remember, Megan has been my godsister (her mom is my godmother). So, when Amelia was born and Megan and Brett became her godparents and Wade and I Lyla's, they became godsisters!! A very special relationship for their whole lives!!

3 generations of godmothers and godsisters on Whidbey Island. This place has been very special to us all. My mom and Robin (in picture) have been going there since they were little. Megan and I have been going there since we were little. This past week was Amelia and Lyla's first time there together. They LOVED the beach and eating the rocks.

For Lyla's birthday, Amelia got her a tutu. We couldn't resist having a photo shoot on the beach. I love this picture because it shows how it went. Lyla wasn't too sure about wearing it and Amelia is more concerned about looking for things to put into her mouth then posing for the camera.

Lisa came up for one of her Tuesday visits. It made me sad because next week will most likely be her last one with Amelia due to me going back to work. Lisa's visits will be in my classroom again. So Lisa, you better come up next week and go to the Lynden Fair with us. You don't want to rob Amelia of that memory do you??

6 Month Developments:

• Sits completely on her own
• Can roll from either side
• Eats solids: When the doctor asked what food she likes, I had to say "all of them." There hasn't been anything she doesn't like and every meal is done with GREAT enthusiasm.
• Raises hands when asked how big she is (grandma taught her this one).
• Gibber jabbers when talked to
• OVERALL, A VERY HAPPY/HEALTHY BABY who is loved very much by her family and friends!
  
  
  

Flip Cup 09' Champions!

This weekend the Koning family (including Grandma and Grandpa) participated in Flip Cup 09! The days were filled with yard games (slosh ball, bite the bag, volleyball, dodge ball to name a few), good food and friends. Organizers extraordinaire, Nick and Bree planned these events and boy did they do a great job. It was all about the details and they didn't miss a beat. All of the festivities lead to what the weekend was all about: FLIP CUP! So what happens when you make a team of WSU alumni? Do I even ask...WE WON! That is what happens when you all minor in drinking games. Amelia and Grandpa during the day. That night Grandma took her home so she could get a good night sleep.

Bree: the hostess with the mostess. She even dressed-up as a flip cup. It's all about the details.

Getting ready for the start of one of our many wins!!!

Flipping at its best. Way to go Wade!

Our trophy! DJ John in the background!!

We plan to return next year and continue our rule as the champions!! Thank you so much Nick and Bree for putting in the time, thought, $$ and organization to make it all a success.

6 months old!!

I cannot believe 6 months has already gone by since Amelia was born. Time does fly by when you are having fun. Having a child in my life has physically shown me it passing with all the fun developments we are witness to everyday. Wade and I are blessed to have such a wonderful baby girl in our lives. Here are some pictures from her 6 month photo shoot from a couple weeks ago. I had them done while down in Kirkland. Erin did yet again a beautiful job at capturing how cute Amelia is :). I am in love with the tutu I found on Etsy made by Saam at Sweet Marguerite.

It must be in the water...

... or the Busch Light! On Sunday, Amelia and I headed south to jump in the mini with Becki/Carson and Anna/Lilah for a trip to Tacoma to help celebrate another AGD babe. Come September, Trix (Jessie) and Geno will be welcoming Baby Boy into our world of Cougness. The shower was great and it was so much fun to get together with some peeps (we missed the rest of you who couldn't join). I can honestly say that we all feel very blessed to have each other in our lives. From helping one another get over stupid boys in college to approaching our 20 + 10 (and everything in the middle), they are a support group I couldn't imagine never having. Thank you Friends!

Artist's Point

I am proud to say that today Wade, Amelia and I all experienced a first together: Artist's Point. We have been to Mt. Baker MANY times before, but never in the summer. Boy we were missing out. For a family who loves the outdoors and live in Bellingham, we cannot believe it has taken us this long to drive up and hike around!! A must for anyone who calls Bellingham home or is visiting. There is a reason it was named what it was named.
Baker is in the background of this picture, but you can't see it because we used a camera phone to take it.
Amelia LOVES her backpack. I think it is because she is at adult level. A lot of strangers (tourist) had to stop and say hello to her.
It got hot so Wade took over baby duty. Amelia fell fast asleep and missed most of the hike.
It is amazing how babies can sleep anywhere and any position.
Wade and Tracker cooling off in a glacier pond. It wasn't that cold. At this point I wish I had brought my swimsuit. I know better for next time.
Mt. Shuksan. Had to take a picture of the mountain my school is named after: Shuksan Middle School.