Vacation - Part 1

We just got back from a week on Anna Maria Island, our favorite stay-cation spot that we visit every year. Suprisingly, the ocean was REALLY rough...usually it's quite calm and easy to swim (since it's the Gulf, not the Atlantic). So most days were spent in the pool. Fischer did not like the beach like we thought he would...the wind blew sand in his face and the rough waves brought sharp seashells onto shore that hurt his little feet. But it was still nice to be at the beach and hear the ocean from our condo. Here's Part 1 of our pictures...some are still on my sister's camera that I'll get later.


Fischer loved playing in the showers:


Swimming with daddy...he would walk to the lowest step he could reach, then yell "Dee, Goooo!" (ready, go) and jump off...he sank every time :)


Checking out the talking birds with Papa:


"Cool Dude" in his matching sunglasses with Nana:



Early morning cartoons with Auntie:

And it wouldn't be the Gulf without beautiful sunsets:

Madelyn's 1st Birthday Party

Saturday we went to Madelyn's 1st birthday party. It was a pool/sprinkler party, and Fischer had the time of his life! Here's some pictures and videos from the day (and yes, this is how nursery is at our church too...it's just Fischer and the girls!)

Sprinkler time!


This is Charlotte...what a precious smile!


Here's Annabelle with her ball and balloon!

The birthday girl!

So much fun opening presents :)

But more fun playing with them!

First, Fischer pushed Charlotte in the car...

Then Charlotte pushed Fischer in the car...

Finally Mady went for a ride...is was her present after all!!

She ate her cake like a dainty little princess, which suprised us all b/c she's more of a tomboy! (Annabelle got a taste here too!)

Finally, a relaxing tooth-brushing after a busy day!

Sprinkler Fun! - He ran like a wild boy the whole time we were there.

More sprinkler fun...with Charolotte!

And once again, proof that Fischer loves the pool despite his swimming lessons:

Improving in Swim Lessons

We have had a breakthrough this week in swim lessons...while Fischer was good at reaching for the wall and kicking his legs, he refused to float on his back. Today he finally decided to start doing what he's supposed to do! This is the "swim-float-swim" technique for him to find the side of the pool if he ever falls in. We still have a ways to go until he can do it without help, but at least we're starting to get somewhere! Again, ignore the crying...every day when she says "Are you ready to get out?" he stops crying and wants to watch the next little boy swim.

More Fun

Fischer loves to watch himself on the computer...in fact, he thinks that's all the computer is for. When we're using it, he runs up to us saying "baby, baby" because he wants to watch the vidoes of himself! Here he is watching the screensaver slideshow of his pics.

For our 5th anniversary, Dustin and I went to Orlando for an evening of dinner and dancing at Disney's Boardwalk.

Fischer made this hole in the wall...the first of many, I'm sure!

Our new summer swimming pool...he couldn't be still :)

A face of excitement when sliding!

Here's a sample of some of the words he can not only say, but identify (he can do more than this now)...press play:

So much fun!