Beginning of a Vacation

I will have lived in Alaska 9 years on September 10th.  Before Amelia was born I used to venture back East for 2 weeks at a time three times a year, now Amelia and I head back 2 times a year for a month at a time.  I cannot wait to go and at about week 3 am eager to get  home to my routine.  It has always been that way.  I hope Amelia will grow to feel that way too…well for as long as we are in Alaska.  I feel it is the best of both worlds…I would feel bad if I didn’t want to go and the same if I didn’t want to come home.  Perhaps that is why I have been in AK for as long as I have.

We began our journey in the middle of June and didn’t post anything til now, so will begin posting just as if I were doing so as the vacation went along. 

 

Amelia has always been an excellent traveller…even as a 3 month old on her first adventure.  I keep waiting for the weeping and wailing, caring her sideways as she kicks and screams (I see at least one of those every time I fly), but it hasn’t happened.  I always wonder if this will be the time, but so far so good!  No, I have no advice for other parents, perhaps she just likes the droning engine sound that generally puts her to sleep or the tons of new faces she sees on the plane or at the airport…or maybe she just wants to be a pilot.  It would suit her name.

on the plane

I mentioned that my nephews are heading to AK next summer as a gift for graduation.  One of them, Adam, graduated the second day we got there.  He will be heading to Albany to play football in August.  I sure hope I get to see him play … at least once.  Maybe the year after next when there are no graduations we can visit in late August to September and have a road trip to Albany and visit the NYS fair once again!

Here are some pictures of the first few days:

With her cousin Adam, the graduate.  

She was traumatized by the horns that went off during the graduation...hence the look.

With her cousin, Liz.  I would have posted a pic of her smiling, I didn't get one. 

In the house of bounce during the graduation party the next day.  My sister always rents inflatables that the little kids enjoy for the party (then they become occupied by the graduates as the party proceeds).  

Amelia was hesitant at first, but then I couldn't get her out.

Sidewalk chalk with Liz

The next day we visited the duck pond with my sister Donna.  She loved it until the pigeons showed up.  Not afraid of ducks, only pigeons.

With Mom when anything got too close.