Well, spring is.. well it is trying to get going. The girls have been happy to get more outside time lately and are eager for the water to warm up so they can swim in the lake.
So far one day has been warm enough to get the pool out. I did have to carry in warm water from the inside of the house since Anna doesn't like cold water.
Laura sporting her toothless look.
Princess Anna in her nice warm pool.
Playing outside can wear you out. This is photographic evidence that they occasionally get along.
Playing by the maple tree.
The tree is HUGE now.
Laura doing some fishing with her homemade fishing pole. No luck, but she tried hard.
Using a real fishing pole, Laura caught her first fish! Not a sunny, but a Northern!
Anna was not happy the fish didn't bite for her. Fishing has HER idea!
Here fishy fishy!
Anna posing in the park after Emily's cousin's wedding.
Ok, so I've been a bit behind on the kiddo blogging. Nothing like catching up all at once.
In January, Anna had her first dance recital. She was beaming the whole time and did her Splish Splash dance.
Anna posing before the dance.
The grand finale!
Anna prepared for the end of football season by teaching me a thing or two about football.
I'm gonna score daddy!
Running to the end zone!
TOUCHDOWN! I beat you daddy!
Next up, St. Patrick's
Yup, down a tooth! She looks so grown up!
Hiding her shamrock
Irish (For a day) Sisters
You wouldn't believe it by looking, but Anna was so uncooperative in this photo session. As it turns out, she get go from angriest scowl to happiest smile in 0.2 seconds.
Laura lost the tooth on the school bus, but she was able to keep it and get a special treasure chest from the nurse at school.
She makes a good li'l leprechaun.
Next up: Florida! Our annual pilgrimage to see Mimi & Bumpa down in Florida included a visit with Mandi and Logan too. The weather was nice the first couple of days, then cooled off a bit so the beach combing was in full jackets. All in all, it was a great trip.
Emily jumping into the sea.
Anna patrolling the beach.
Logan exploring the sand.
Auntie Mandi & Anna checking out the surf.
Anna running from the waves. Don't worry, her curiosity gets her back in the fray.
Way to go Anna!
Logan finding some sand toys.
Laura running between the surf & Logan/
Go Anna!
Laura looking for Shark's teeth,
Anna showing Logan how to wade on the beach.
Wet Feet
A happy beach princess. Ok, maybe a little annoyed that she fell in the ocean and got all wet and salty. She was licking her lips the rest of the time at the beach.
Logan getting encouragement to get in the ocean.
Mandi letting the cheerleader in her live free.
Laura even got to do some dancing with Mimi.
Beach cousins
After returning from Florida, winter has been lingering & lingering. However, that doesn't stop us from having some fun. Swing sets still work in the winter, and a snowman is good old fashioned fun.
Winter Swinging
Yes, photographic evidence that they can play nicely together.
It isn't a snowman, it is art.
So, if you can't beat it, embrace it. On the last day of March we went skiing at Lutsen for a late winter ski vacation. The ladies did great getting used to the balance of skiing and Laura even got to ride a big chairlift and ski down the big hills.
Anna "Doing her thing" as she liked to call skiing alone.
Laura really got the hang of it this time out. She even did "Big esses" and did her pizza stops.
It is fun to watch the girls grow and learn. Laura is a bright, thoughtful, and caring girl who easily makes friends and makes life easier for her teachers. Anna has grown out of toddlerhood and into being a bright, energetic and passionate young lady.Although they share many of the same interests (dance and My Little Pony), they are two very different and unique personalities. Emily and I are lucky to have such great kids and feel very fortunate that they are healthy and happy*.
*Except during family cleanup time. It is not always a happy time. Emily is strongly considering the Uh Oh Bucket.
Anna preparing to make a tasty treat.
Anna being the devil with Joseph and Mary
Anna playing an angel in the Christmas pageant.
Laura as one of the kings in the pageant.
Laura looks like a little Christmas doll all dressed up.
Anna with her favorite present: Band-Aids
Anna showing off her pretty nails.
Two lil Gillespies growing up.
Laura always keeps an eye on Anna's antics.
Two little princesses.
A nice pose for the camera. You'd think they're such sweet angels.
