A parade, a campfire, and a little chair

On Saturday, Jeff and I packed up the truck for 24 hours of excitement in Bridgeport.  Jeff was participating in the town's parade with some of his students.  The students are part of a program called AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination).  AVID teaches kids study skills, and organization while encouraging them to be challenged academically and get prepared for college. The kids were provided with fabric paint and shirts to decorate for the parade.  They did a fabulous job!  I love these kids!

After walking through town in the parade and attending the town fair, we pitched our tent and decided to sit back and relax.

 

 We met a nice elderly couple in the camp ground that took us fishing up above the Chief Joseph Dam.  Jeff cast his line out and we waited for close to 30 minutes.  Soon Jeff reeled in a 4 pound 11 ounce fish. 

The rest of the day was spent hanging out at camp. 

The next morning, Emmaline was very content playing with rocks while Jeff and I packed.

Emmaline is ready for some more camping.

Playing in the dirt

It's that time of year for digging in the dirt and planting seeds.  I dressed Emmaline up in her overalls and sun hat (although there was really no sun and it  was kind of chilly) and we went out to Grammie and Grandpa's garden to plant some pumpkin seeds.  Emmaline was a bit unsure when Grandpa put her in the dirt, but was soon distracted by Grammie's basket of seeds. 

 Looking for her pumpkin seeds

"Is this the right package?"

 "Found them!"

 Pumpkin seeds!

 Planting the seeds

 We tried so hard to get Emmaline to smile, but this is the face she had the whole time.  She almost looks like she is in pain!

 I was so proud of her for putting her hands in the dirt and even holding a dirt clump without putting it in her mouth. As I made the comment to my parents about how good she had been about NOT putting dirt in her mouth... the dirt went in her mouth!

 I love this picture of Emmaline and I as long as I don't look at the background.

Our future little gardener

Music to my ears

Everyone knows that I LOVE music.  If you happened to stop by my house unannounced, it is very likely that I would have music blasting through the house.  I love to listen to music and create it - whether its on an instrument or singing.  With all the music running through the house, I think a little has rubbed off on Emmaline.  She loves music just as much as me.  Not only does she love to listen to music, she loves to create it too.  Is she going to be a piano player like mommy or a drummer like daddy?

Today, Emmaline had a visit from Grandpa, and cousins Emry and Maeha.  Emry discovered Emmaline's drum and cymbals.  I couldn't help but smile as Grandpa showed Emry how to where the drum around his and neck and then began to lead Emry around the living room in a parade.  It wasn't long before Maeha and Emmaline had joined the procession.  Emmaline loved every minute of the fun.  What sweet music to my ears! 

An Afternoon of Fun

My friend Janet has horses and needed to find them out on the acres and acres of land that she keeps them, so we piled into the truck (Emmaline, Janet and I) and went for a drive across BEAUTIFUL countryside.

We never found the horses we were looking for, but Emmaline got to meet the horses that were in the lower pasture.  She absolutely loved it!!   I think I have an animal lover in the making.

A fluffy dress, a long car ride and time with Grammie and Grandpa

Last week Emmaline and I ventured across the state to visit my parents (Grammie and Grandpa) and to attend my friend Gretchen's wedding in Oregon.  Emmaline did fabulous on the ride across the state to Kent and then down to Oregon the next day.  When we got to Oregon, I had hopes of taking Emmaline swimming in the hotel pool, but life changed plans a bit.  I did discover that Emmaline LOVES her swimsuit, since I got her dressed to go swimming.  I have to say, she looked pretty cute in her suit too!

  The wedding was so lovely.  It was so special to be present at one of the most important events of my friend's life. And of course, I had to make sure that Emmaline was adequately dressed for the occasion. 
 

The happy couple!

Emmaline loved watching all the people!

With the gorgeous bride!

Grammie and Emmaline at the reception

Emmaline loved getting to walk all over the dance floor.

After the wedding, Emmaline and I spent a few more days with Grammie and Grandpa in Kent.  She was pretty cute in her new bunny ears.