18 Months

One year ago... August 2007

And here she is at 18 months old in August 2008...

In some ways it seems like just yesterday Emeline came home to be with us. On the other hand, it is hard to remember what life was like without her being here with us. Recently, we were able to visit family, and Emeline had some new photos taken of herself and with her cousins, Dylan and Devon. My baby girl (who I know is technically not a baby but a toddler--but hey, she’s still my baby) is 18 months old this month. She has been home with us for 6 months. This time last year I made a little flyer celebrating Emeline’s ½ birthday. What a difference a year makes!!!! I still can’t stop pinching myself.

Dutch Life, Gnomes and Friends

All 3 of us in front of one of the many gardens we saw. Gnome-a-licious...
Me and my boyfriend.
Check out the windmill and the little fisherman in the boat behind us.
Emeline at the end of a long day.

This weekend we had our friend Rebecca visiting from Toronto, Cananda. She is PhD student in German history. We got to know Rebecca and her husband Dennis in language school in Bonn. (We missed you this time, Dennis!) We look forward to seeing them in times to come when Rebecca’s studies bring them back to Germany. Rebecca had never been to Holland and since we are just over the border here in Germany, we decided on Saturday to visit the Dutch life center, which is in Arnheim. It was a perfect day for being outside and we got to see some very interesting things about everyday Dutch life from the past. Chris and I couldn’t help but think of how much my parents would have loved seeing all the antiques. Emeline loved all the animals and looking at all the other children visiting with their families. We have to thank Rebecca for all these pics she took of us. I just love the picture of Emeline with all the Gnomes.

Chris has been busy this week writing a sermon he will preach on a visitor Sunday in early September at a German church. He has his Bible study at the senior center on Wednesday. We also got invited last week to our neighborhood fair and got to meet the entire extended family of one of our good friends on a couple of occasions. It is finally feeling like we belong in our neighborhood and it is so good that people are going out of their way to make sure we are included in important local events. People still can’t help but be charmed by Emeline and her outgoing personality!