Dear Emilia,
For your first Independence day we headed up to the cabin like we often do. This brought all sorts of new experiences and lots of time with family. First of all, compliments to Gert, one of the clinic assistants at my work- you were outfitted in red, white and blue.
We didn’t go to fireworks because they would be too loud and your bedtime is 7:30pm, but you did get your first experiences of swimming in the lake. The water was a bit cold, so we sat on the beach for a bit where you tried to eat seaweed and sand. We then filled a tupperware bin with water and let it warm up on the dock. You had your own personal and solar heated pool!
After a while you got tired, so we laid you down on the bench of the boat. It was cool and dark under the boat lift, and you seemed quite comfy.
After a week at the cabin, the water warmed up a bit and we were able to swim in the lake at Aunt Gail’s and uncle Dale’s beach. Dad would sit you on the edge of the dock and count “one-two-three,” at which point you would tip yourself forward into his hands and he would dip you into the water. This was always followed by an erruption of giggles from you. We are so happy that you enjoy the lake so much already.
One thing you clearly did not like was your life jacket. Whenever we put you in it to take a boat ride, you would either cry, or go completely silent and then fall asleep. Hopefully you will enjoy boat rides a little more when you get bigger. 
The best part of the week was just relaxing, and hanging out with family. Here we are with Great Grandma Colianni by the Bocce court. 
It was a wonderful week and of course we found time to take lots of pictures of you. The cabin was surrounded by tons of wild daisies, so we did a little photo session of you in the flowers. 
We look forward to lots more memories up at the lake, and don’t worry- we’ll go to fireworks when you get a little older.
Love, Mom
