B.C.

June 20 - July 5

B.efore I got my C.amera and after my quick trip over the pond Alessandra and I had a few little get togethers.



On the 21st Dale had surgery on his knee.  Big bummer all around.  It did however give me a chance to run out to the Ranch and visit the Eich's.  Although we didn't get a lot of time with Grandpa we did get to spend the day with Oma.  We enjoyed SpaghettiO's and banana pudding.  We got to see a bunch of birds and horses and all in all had a great day.

Our first weekend we spent taking care of Dale except for when we slipped away for an afternoon to check out the zoo.  It was Alessandra's first time and she loved it.  Especially the elephants and monkeys.


After that came a very warm whirlwind of playdates, playground trips, and outings.

We got to see one of my friends from high school, Krista,  and her two little girls at Monkey Bizness.  So much fun and I was so glad I got to see her.

We also went to the Wild Life Experience.  It was my first time and to be honest I didn't expect it to be so awesome.  It was like the zoo but for Alessandra it was even better because it was shorter, inside, and she could easily find all the animals.

Alessandra and I made it out to the playground I used to play in when I was a kid.  Luckily, for Alessandra's sake, it has been fixed up a bit and she loved it.

A quick lunch date with my Jonesians, and a an ice cream social with Aunt Katy.  A lunch date with my Amber and Lisa - two of my very best friends from high school.  Some cupcakes, fro yo, hugs and giggles finished out our week.

The weekend found Alessandra and I at a Marrieds lake adventure.  It was AWESOME.  So relaxing and fun with plenty of sunshine and water to go around. By the end my cheeks were hurting as much as my heart.  My cheeks from smiling. My heart from the realization that these times are short and before I know it I'll be an ocean away from  all the people I care so much about.


A playdate picnic with my Oracle girls and some of the most beautiful babies in the world.

An extended family trip to the Butterfly Pavillion.  I got to hold a friendly little tarantula and Alessandra got some play time with her second cousins.

We got to see my Aunt Mary and most of her clan.  My cousin Jenna was sorely missed.  She was away on some archaeological expedition - no joke - so I didn't get to catch up with my Jennamerink this time around.

A Barbecue pool party with my Mom and Dale's good friends. to celebrate the 4th of July.  No firework shows this year because of all of the fires in CO so Alessandra had to settle with watching three different shows on t.v. You should have heard all of her owwwws and awwwws.  She loved it.  And we loved watching her.

The rest of the week was jam packed with errands/logistical chores.



It was a crazy couple of weeks and now that I look back on it I was Really Busy, even though I was itching to do and see more.  Isn't that just how it is.

Charmian