The Beach!

Part of our trip to Florida included a few days on Anna Maria Island to celebrate Jack and Julie's 40th Wedding Anniversary (belated; their anniversary was in August). Jill and Mike had stayed at these cute little beach bungalows before, so that's where we stayed this time. Right on the beach, and we all had our own bedroom and bathroom. Perfect when traveling with a little one.

It was a little chilly at the beach, but that didn't stop us from heading down to check out the surf and collect shells. Riley Kate had a blast, once she got over her fear of the sand and big waves crashing in. Anna Maria Island is gorgeous and I'd love to head back sometime!

Jeff ended up getting sick and RK caught a cold, but despite all of that, we had a blast! Oh, and we realized that Riley Kate is already boy crazy. She shamelessly flirted with two of our waiters on the trip; funny enough, only the tall dark and handsome ones (no joke, other guys were no bueno to our little miss).

Sloane and her pina colada bread (it tastes like coconut)


The RK looking cute as can be using her straw for the half gallon of milk her waiter boyfriend gave her (it was a lot of milk, I thought she was going to morph into one of those milk commercials from the 80s - I hope someone gets that reference)


Trying to paint her toenails like Cousin Sloane, but not quite getting it


Throwing shells with Mommy


Learning how to dig in the sand with Daddy


Waving to Texas across the Gulf with Grandma


Beachcombing with Grandpa


And some videos:

The great wave smackdown of 2009. Cinematography very similar to videos on TV when something has gone horribly wrong.


The hermit crab. RK watched Sloane's hermit crab for all of 2 seconds and now knows what a crab does and is happy to show you.