June 20: Elin is 2 Years Old

Oh. Wow.  Our sweet little baby girl has turned 2 years old!  The time has flown by so fast; we try to absorb & enjoy each little stage, but they disappear so quickly!  Elin actually turned 2 while we were on a business trip/family vacation.  Kent is invited to the AHS President's Council meetings each summer due to his position in the company; if he continues to have a similar position in the company going forward, Elin may always celebrate her birthday in a fun, exciting locale!  This year, the meetings were held in the Charlevoix region of Quebec Province, Canada!  It was absolutely beautiful (see details & pictures in the next blog post)!

Due to the trip, Elin has actually had multiple birthday celebrations spread across 3 months!  We first celebrated her birthday in early June with the Cochrans, Deiningers & Zbaraschuks at our monthly Friday night get-together, her second celebration was in Quebec City on her actual birthday-June 20 (Nana & Pops were able to attend that one), her third celebration was on July 4 at Sabbath School with the special birthday chair & song, her fourth celebration was a family birthday supper on July 6 when she got her birthday presents, and her fifth & final celebration was held on August 16 when we had a large birthday party at a local MyGym for 4 kids with summer birthdays (see the Aug 16-22 post for pictures on that party).  Needless to say, Elin's favorite song right now is "Happy Birthday" and I will frequently hear her burst out into song "Happy Bir'day, Happy Bir'day to Elin. Pfff [she blows out her candles]"!

Here are some fun facts about Elin at 2 Years Old:

Weight: 23.2 lbs (5th percentile)
Height: 33.5 in (25th percentile)

Favorite Activities: Coloring, painting, drawing, decorating with stickers, "cooking" in the toy kitchen, hiding in the couch cushions, pretending to be a dog & crawling around my legs whilst panting (not my favorite)
Favorite Sports: Swimming,  Going for walks, Extreme Couch Climbing & Pillow Diving
Favorite Songs: Jesus Loves Me; Happy Birthday; Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Favorite Character: Curious George - she will often ask "iPad. George!"
Favorite Phrase: "Hi-do, Mommy.  Hi-do, Daddy.  Hi-do, Erik" (this is how she pronounces Hello)!
Favorite Game: Night-night - she will play this with anyone & any toy!  It's a lovely game that involves laying down & letting her put a blanket on you & pat your back.  Hmm, maybe my favorite game right now, too!!
Favorite Food: whatever Daddy or Mommy is eating!  She is a wonderful eater & doesn't often fuss about what is on her plate.  I love it!

Elin at 1 day old (June 21, 2013)

Elin at 1 Year Old (July 2014)

Elin at 2 Years Old (June 2015)

Precious Girl

Here are some pictures of Elin's birthday party celebrations (except for the big party in August).

Party #1 with the gift exchange at our group supper in early June:

Party #2 in Quebec City with Nana & Pops on her actual birthday:

Celebration #3 with the Birthday Song at Sabbath School on July 4:

Family birthday party #4 on July 6:

Elin's "big" gift from us this year - an easel with whiteboard, paper & chalkboard.  She knew exactly what to do with it!!