July 2005

Life in Seattle was quite a transition. Some transitions were easy, like taking an elevator to our floor instead of climbing stairs, or using the stacked washer/dryer in our apartment instead of going down to a basement to use coin op machines. Others were a bit harder, like walking uphill to go pretty much anywhere, whether on the way there, on the way back, or both. There was plenty of walking to be done, and for things like church, which was a bit too far for an easy walk, there were buses and nice friends from church. On the bright side, we saved a lot on gas and parking fees with no car. Here's Mom with Amanda at a park up the hill from where we lived:

And, some pictures of Amanda at home:

Heading North

June 2005 brought big news and big changes: Dad got a job in Seattle. The move north from Utah was an extended family effort, starting with Grandmother and Grandfather clearing out all the stuff from Mom's old room at their house.

They loaded it up in a truck and brought it to us.

 Meanwhile, Amanda helped supervise the packing:

Once the truck was at our house, our church family helped load up the rest of our stuff:

They helped with move-out cleaning, too:

 Amanda, meanwhile, enjoyed grandparents:

 

 We spent the night of the truck loading at Grandma and Grandpa's:

 We spent the next night at a motel:

We saw a bit of Oregon Trail stuff on the way:

 And then we arrived at the new place:

Four generations (and family in general)

June 2005 was a good month for family visiting. Here is Amanda snuggling a toy that Grandma brought over during a visit. Note Amanda's hairstyle, which was all natural and very persistent:

Here we have Mom and Dad at Grandma and Grandpa's house:

Amanda checking out a friend she found at Grandma and Grandpa's:

A four generation picture with Great-grandma Lillian:

Great-grandma and Amanda with Aunt Eldeen:

Four generations, expanded version:

Grandma and Amanda having a grand time together:

Moments from May 2005

May 2005 was action-packed for Amanda as she worked on getting from her back to her tummy:

Mom had fun dressing Amanda up as she grew into things:

Mom also had fun playing with Amanda:

We took Amanda on a little outing to the botany pond:

Here's Dad giving Amanda a snack on the outing:

And here's Dad reading to Amanda at home:

Amanda's first trip out of state

Mom and Dad were car-less for the first year of Amanda's life, but they got around quite a bit anyway, thanks to the kindness of friends and family. Thanks to friends, Mom and Amanda got a ride for a quick visit Grandmother and Grandfather (out of state!). Grandmother's sister, Aunt Darla, was also visiting then:

During the visit, Grandmother and Grandfather treated Mom to some of her favorite pizza:

And Mom made a strawberry spinach salad to share:

Mom also introduced Amanda to Ernie & Tish, her "borrowed grandparents":

Amanda also met Voris Bennion, another of Mom's borrowed grandmas:

Here's Amanda enjoying a turn in the recliner:

And here's Amanda meeting Inky, the last of the rabbits Mom had while growing up:

And then it was time to go, but not before one last picture with everyone, including the friends who made the trip possible. Thanks, friends!