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:

Savage Ice

We took advantage of a beautiful late winter day to catch some late February sun and go skating with the cousins.

Laura and the cousins had a great time. Laura is still using the double runners, but everyone else is on big kid skates.

Daddy, wait up, I'm just getting started. This chair is slowing me down.


Anna kept watch and patiently waited her turn.


Grandma made sure to help Anna get on her feet.


Ella had fun learning how to glide.


Here's Ella showing Laura how to skate,


Who needs a chair?


Not Laura! She's doing it "All by myself!"


To be honest, I just had my hand on him to make sure we didn't collide coming around the last turn, but I guess the judge thought it merited a disqualification.


Laura getting the hang of gliding.


Laura taking a rest. At least the chair is good for something.


The cousin gang on ice.


Did someone say hot chocolate back at the warming house? Zoom, there goes Laura.


Mmmm.



Bonus Features:

Dog days of winter

As the long winter wears on, we are working hard at keeping the kids from getting cabin fever. Laura has swimming lessons with her cousin Sophie every Saturday morning, which she LOVES. We also took the kids to the mall to run around, costco to see REALLY big boxes of diapers, and some time outside to get some fresh air.

Quote of the week from Laura (requires a little backdrop). While she was under the weather, I took her to Barnes and Noble to get a book. She had one in mind: Polite as a Princess. Today we were reading it while we were getting dressed for the day, but Laura was not being very cooperative.
Dad: Laura, you are not being helpful, this is NOT polite!
Laura: I know.
Dad: You are definately a princess, so you should be polite.
Laura: I can't be polite, it isn't in my DNA!

I really didn't know what to say to that. I guess that's what you get when Mommy's a biologist.

Laura with her swimming ponies in.


She's a "Small Fry"


Anna being silly in her high chair.


Sophie and Laura are good pals.

Happy V-Day!

Anna and Laura had a great Valentines party. The actual V-Day was less exciting, as Anna has a low fever and doesn't feel like doing much. Due to that, we've been watching some of the Olympics, and Laura is very interested in ski jumping. I'm sure Emily would LOVE watching Laura shoot off a ski jump.

Here's a variation of pin the tail on the donkey... Pin the heart on the... heart? Looks like they had fun.


Pretty close LJ.


Stacking conversation hearts...


Doh! It fell over.


Anna getting into the party mood by finger painting.


Not too shabby.


Of course, there are cookies. Laura takes cookie decorating very seriously!


Not sure what this game is, but Sophie and Laura seems to be really having fun.


Happy Valentines day!