Planes, Palm Trees, and the Ocean too!

It was a trip filled with firsts and fun for Eli (and his parents) last week as the family packed up what seemed like half the house and headed to Florida. Eli traveled like an old pro, navigating the airplanes, minivans, and condo with ease, and aside from a few nap challenges, it was a relaxing time for all.

During the time in Florida, Eli proved to be quite a little fish, enjoying the multiple pools and a trip to the ocean. Other highlights included yummy meals out to eat, chasing lizards and frogs around the condo, and digging in the sand on the beach. The multi-generational household also now holds a lot of appeal - Eli had a word explosion while in Florida (some favorites include "pineapple" and "lemonade"), as well as learning important life skills, such as downward dog in yoga (from Papa), how to hop (from Grandpa), and how an old-school phone works (from Mimi). It was such a treat to get to spend so much time with many relatives (while missing those who were not able to attend), and to be able to celebrate Carol and John's wedding day on the beach.

A laugh and snack - see packing isn't stressful

 Playing on the plane

 Hurray! We're here!

 

At the wedding on the beach

 

Taking Papa for a walk during the wedding

 

 Cute beach kiddos

Building a fort on a rainy afternoon

Love to swim

Daddy practicing holding two kiddos

Ready to hit the beach

C'mon Mimi and Pa - the ocean is this way!

Beach bums

 Dig dig with Grandpa

Surf's up!

Loved having all these extra hands at meal times

Relaxing with Papa and GG

Some happy, some tired, all headed to the airport

 Back in Milwaukee - vacation was great!!

Crunching and Splashing

Nothing beats the crunch of fresh sweet corn on the cob (and the unexpected surprise of finding an early, and surprisingly tasty, crop at the grocery store). Equally exciting - a trip to the splash pad and picnic with friends. (How's that for a random segway? Gotta get all these old pictures posted so I can work on the Florida post...)

Yum!

Three friends at a post-splash picnic

All I can think of when I see this picture is that my baby looks so big!

Celebrating Aunt C and Future Cousin

Eli made the cut to get to hang out with the ladies (plus cousin Isaac) at Aunt C's baby shower. He loved having so many family and friends over, and even managed the no nap day pretty well (for an almost-two-year-old who missed his nap).

Helping open presents

Ooh..what's in the bag??

Giggles with Mimi and a new friend

Check out the cool tunnel tower that Uncle P built over Eli's train track

Some quiet reading time with Mimi after all the shower fun

Birthday Fun

While Eli is getting ready to celebrate the big 0-2 birthday in less than a month (if you ask him how old he is,  he will say "two"), he helped make sure that Mommy had a special birthday this past week. A day spent playing with friends and getting ice cream to eat outside, as well as a two hour nap for the almost two-year-old (which meant reading time for Mommy), is a great way to spend a birthday!

Eli and Mimi went to the children's museum so Mommy could go get a pedicure

Eli was serious about his window painting!

Going for a ride with a friend

Eli approves of the chocolate peanut butter ice cream

Big chair and big giggles

Eli knows that mommies love to get flowers

Enjoying Early Summer Days

Summer is a fun time to be an on-the-go almost-two-year-old!

Visits to the zoo (and snacks!)

Sharing a doughnut with Daddy at the farmers' market

Playing in the sandbox with friends

You're really going to let me use the hose?!

Looking good so far

 

One more time??

Filling Mommy's garden

Gardening is hard work

 Time to hit the showers