Take that, Florida

Exactly a week after our winter escape to Florida, we received some of our own Florida weather. Today's temp topped out at 76, so naturally we went to the beach!

"Why did we go in a plane when the beach is so close?"


"Yippie, it is summer!" - to bad she doesn't understand how cruel spring can be in Minnesota. We are just as likely to get snow tomorrow as another 75 degree day.

Fun in the cool Florida Sun

The Gillespies survived their Florida vacation to Mimi & Bumpa (And Mandi and Brad).

The weather wasn't terribly cooperative, but we had a good time nonetheless. It was mostly sunny, but cool and windy. 64 is a nice spring day in Minnesota, but feels awful cool on a windy beach!

We were able to do most of the things we were hoping for, including orange ice cream from the orange grove, a visit to the Twins game in Ft. Myers, time on the beach, a special sleepover with Auntie Mandi, and a boat ride on Bumpa's Florida boat.

Here's Anna's first visit to the beach. She LOVED it. To her, heaven is a big sandbox, so as you can see, a beach is a close second.


Auntie Mandi beginning the ocean indoctrination. Just the first stop into Mandi-land.


Mommy shoiwng Laura the waves.


Two happy girls on the beach.


Laura staring off into the surf.


Anna being silly on the beach.


We also got a few chances to swim at the pool by Mimi & Bumpa's clubhouse.


No, Amma didn't get a haircut. This is sister Laura Jean.


Laura LOVED floating on the noodle. Mimi make the mistake of trying to help. "Let go of me, I want to do it myself!"


Anna exploring the balcony of our hotel room.


Here we are enjoying a nice breakfast from our balcony overlooking the Venice beach. Not a shabby way to start the day.


Daddy showing Anna the beach.


This captures the essence of Laura: Pretty manicured toenails covered in sand. She's a princess that loves to get dirty.

Eating: A full contact sport

Anna's at the age where eating is more of a learning experience. Some food gets in the mouth. Some doesn't. That's life.

She loves yogurt.


I hope it is good for the skin.


She loves rice too.


An how nice, mommy include a HAT with my rice!


Doh! It fell off.


I can fix that, this is fun!


Meanwhile, Laura has transformed into a fairy princess again. At least once a day she becomes Tink.

Happy Birthday Emily!

Laura even made Emily a card: