Happy Anniversary Kelli and Stephen

One year ago today...

Sand isn't so bad after all!

Last night we celebrated Gram and Pop Tripoli's 50th wedding anniversary with a lovely surprise party. They are still so in love after all of these years (and 8 children)! Alex had a great time with his great uncles, aunts, and cousins. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera! The D.J. gave Alex a tambourine and he went crazy! He ran (with Mommy or Daddy helping) all over the dance floor shaking his tambourine and "dancing" with his great aunts.

My handsome boys ready for the party!

Alex looking cute in seersucker

Today we went to the Knepp Family reunion at R.B. Winter State Park. There is a small lake with a sandy beach and Alex had a great time playing in the water and in the SAND!

Mommy and her water bug!

Sweet Lauren posing as "Ariel" (notice the sand fin)

Alex playing in the sand

Playing with Daddy

Ethan playing in the sand

Beach Bums!

We spent last week in Ocean City, MD with my family and had a fabulous time. The weather was beautiful and experiencing Alex's first trip to the shore was so much fun! Alex loved swimming in the baby pool and wading in the bay, but did not take to the sand or the waves. When we would try to put him down on the beach he curled up his little feet in protest! It was so funny. However, he LOVED to play on the beach chairs and could easily have spent all of his beach time doing just that.

Having a blast on the beach chair

Swimming in the baby pool with Daddy

Swimming in the big pool with Mommy

During our vacation Alex was quite spoiled by his Grammy and Grandpop Jensen. Not only did he have an almost constant audience to show off for, but he tried many new foods too. He had pizza, doughnuts, macaroni and cheese, and french fries all for the first time! In fact, now that we are home Alex doesn't seem to like his usual healthy fare as much. Hmmm...I wonder why??!

In my mind, one of the best moments of vacation came on the very first day. We were waiting for our order to arrive at our favorite breakfast spot, The Dough Roller (YUM!). Alex was sitting with my mom and getting very antsy. To entertain him she picked up a crayon from the tin on the table and started drawing on the paper placemat. In that moment, Alex's eyes just lit up. My mom handed him the crayon and he drug the crayon back and forth across the paper. His eyes got so big when he saw that HE was the one making those marks. He LOVED it and laughed with such pleasure! Seeing Alex learn new things just melts my heart! My baby boy is growing up!

Alex Coloring: