West Palm Beach 2008

Here are the pictures from our annual trip to West Palm Beach with the Sauer's. I'll let the pictures tell the story and show how much fun we all had!

What kid doesn't love riding on the luggage cart?

The next three pictures show how much AJ loved exploring all of the "textures" around the resort.

I have no clue what captured both their attention, but it worked for taking a cute picture!

Going for a ride on the "Uncle Brian laundry basket roller coaster." WHEEEE!!!!!

This is how we found Grandma and Grandpa taking care of the kids one night... confined with snacks and Barney! Who can blame them... these two never stop!

AJ and Daddy hanging out in the big pool. Aren't AJ's shades just adorable?

The kids much preferred the baby pool where they could roam freely.

Banging on the gate was almost as much fun as the water.

AJ loved jumping the waves with Daddy and just laughed when a wave would splash him in the face.

AJ and Heidi hanging out with snacks and Barney.

I thought it would be fun to do a comparison picture here... The first one is from last year when we were all at the beach, and the second one is from this year. Man, were these two covered from head to toe!

AJ's favorite part of the souvenir shop was the stuffed animal basket full of crocodiles and crabs. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, we now own one of the crocs!

Heidi's favorite thing to do at the kiddie pool was to play with the hose on the shower.

AJ's favorite thing to do was to walk back and forth through the water carrying a bucket.

AJ loved the king bed and all of it's pillows. He would dive into them everytime we put him up there.

Can't wait 'til next year!

Summer Fun

While AJ was waiting for Daddy to blow up his pool, he entertained himself by scooping up and drinking the water from the little tub I filled for him... nothing like good ol' hose water. Once the pool was ready, AJ of course had to help Daddy fill it!

The pool provides indoor entertainment as well. AJ likes to keep all of his little household treasures in it.

Grandma Bonnie found a swing at a garage sale, so now AJ gets to enjoy it every Friday!

We have a "Linus" on our hands. About a week and a half ago AJ decided that his blanket would now have to travel with him wherever he went.

As you can see below, it's not always just one blanket. Sometimes it's two blankets and a stuffed animal!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! AJ with Daddy and Grandpa Al.

Happy Father's Day to Grandpa Joe too!

Birthdays, Dogs and Friends

The next three pictures tell the story of how AJ helped Grandma Bonnie celebrate her birthday...

Cake please!

Cake please!
Swing please!

After we got back from our walk today, AJ decided to take Nuge for a walk in the house. Luckily, Nuge willingly played along.

AJ wanted Nuge to play with him on the fire engine as well, but I think Nuge had had about enough!

Fortunately, AJ walk just as happy to walk his imaginary doggy!

AJ's babysitter made this for him, so he wouldn't forget his friends over the summer. She's so sweet!

Memorial Weekend

The following is the story of AJ's Memorial Day celebration, in his own words, at Uncle Mark's. Despite me not feeling my best, we all had a great day spending time with the fam! We love you!

"Whoa Grandma! I'm not sure about this thing, but I think it's kind of fun!"
"Yay, now I get to play ball with cousin Emma! She's so awesome!"

"See look... I can play cornhole too. You guys have been doing it all wrong!"

"Time out, I need some watermelon."

"Hs, Ha, Ha, Ha... this slide thing is SOOOOO much fun!"

"Oh good, more people have come to play with me! I have GOT to get me one of these things!"

"Come on Grandpa, WAKE UP, let's go back to the slide!"

Adventures in the Sandbox

Okay, before I get to the sandbox, I have to share about the blocks first. A few nights ago, AJ was playing with his blocks as usual, but then everytime he would throw a block (first picture) he would fake laugh HYSTERICALLY (second picture) like he was so proud of himself!

Last weekend, we finally got AJ's sandbox out that he got for his birthday. He LOVED it even without the sand! We had to take off for the grocery store after this picture was taken, so it was another week before he actually got to experience the sand.

To my surprise, AJ actually was a little slow to get used to the sand (surprising because he's constantly playing with dirt and mulch). I thought he would dive right in, but here he is testing it out with his new toys.

He decided he needed to inspect it all, so with his trusty bucket in hand, here he is checkin' out the bungee cords we are using to keep the lid on.

I finally just plopped AJ in the middle of the sandbox and started building sandcastles for him. I would dump them out of the bucket and he would knock it down with the rake. After he figured out what I was doing he would help me pat down the sand in the bucket. SO cute!

Okay, now we're lovin' it! AJ eventually just started wingin' the the sand all over the place. He ended playing in the sand for almost an hour! What great fun!

Mother's Day/Random Pics

Well, we had a very nice Mother's Day at our house with both mom's/grandma's. The best part was that I got to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon, which NEVER happens! AJ made me the beautiful picture below at the babysitter's, and Brian got me hanging flower baskets for the porch. AJ LOVES being independent, so the Snacktrap cups are perfect for when he's got the munchies. Of course Nuge loves the Snacktraps too, as AJ undoubtedly drops more than he gets in his mouth!

AJ also LOVES his books, and this is one of his favorites because he can easily carry it around.

If AJ's not dumping out his blocks, then he's certainly sitting in them! AJ now has all eight front teeth, so we brush them everynight. We have to be careful that he doesn't bite us, and to get the teeth brushed BEFORE he sucks all of the toothpaste off!

AJ in his "big boy" carseat. Here he is being silly, which he often is, but it's rarely captured in photos.

Isn't this too cute?

YUM!

AJ always helps me sort the lanundry. He sorts, and sorts, and sorts... He could spend hours just moving things from one place to another. I often find a pile of clothes in the bathroom from where he's pulled them out of the hamper in our bedroom.

Other cute things AJ does...

• He shakes his head no, not for meaning but just because he can and it's fun
• He hangs out of his wagon when we take walks so he can feel the wheel moving
• He can SAFELY go down stairs backwards although he THINKS he's big enough to walk down them like mommy and daddy
• He grabs my hand and leads me to the door when he wants to go outside
• He "talks" all day. It's hard to tell if he's saying actual words, but he spouts off long strings of sounds while moving his hands and head like he's telling you something really important.
• I know there are lots of other things, but I've been really bad about writing them down and my brain is TERRIBLE at remembering things if they are NOT written down!