One more trip to Fort Myers!

Since we didn't get to see Mimi when we were in North Carolina, and since it was almost Tanner's birthday, we decided to make one last trip to Fort Myers, before school started! We celebrated T's birthday, played in the pool, and went to the bookstore. . .some of our favorite Fort Myers things! Annie Grannie ended up staying in the hospital for a few days while we were there, so we didn't see Mimi quite as much as we had anticipated, but we made the best of it, and the boys were happy as long as they could play in the pool! (And although she may not admit it, Mimi jumped in the pool with the boys one night. . . in her clothes!!!!)

Opening some gifts. . . .first up - the Rescue Bots police station!!!!!

Tanner and Chica, a character from our favorite TV channel for kids, Sprout. Now Tanner can "Squeaka with Chica seven days of the week-a!" just like the commercial says! :)

Tanner surprised me by choosing carrot cake for his birthday cake! He likes carrot cake, but I think what wins him over every time is the frosting carrots on top! (Seriously, have you ever had a carrot cake that DIDN'T have frosting carrots on the top!!!?? :) Carrots are great, but FROSTING carrots are even better!!!!!

Strike of the sickies (with 4th of July in between)

Right after our trip to Fort Myers, Bryce got sick. And sicker. And sicker. And I think we were probably about 12 hours away from a hospital stay, when finally he started improving.  He didn't eat for 4 days, and lost 6 pounds. He was MISERABLE. I don't think I've ever seen him so sick.  This picture was day 1, when things really weren't too bad.  He watched about 8 hours of tv on the ipad that day, tucked in his bed.  The next few days were filled with every symptom you can imagine, and three hour naps - WHAT!? 3 hour NAPS!? Bryce!!!???? It was pretty sad around here!

Thankfully B was better just in time for 4th of July at the condo.  Here are three of the boys, watching. . .oh look, tv on the ipad again.  ;)

 We stayed overnight and enjoyed the sunrise!

Me and goggle boy, ready for the beach!

 The cousin entourage in the big hole they dug.

Fireworks! Would you believe Tanner fell asleep DURING the fireworks!? Seriously. He was exhausted!

And then, low and behold a few days later, TANNER was down for the count.  Thankfully not as sick as B, but still pretty pathetic for a few days!

 Sick sleepy boy.

Just a few more random pictures. . . .

Tanner has started drawing people hugging each other.  Yes, that blue stuff is the arms hugging.

LOVE it.  

Scary summer-in-Florida weather? Um yes.

swimming lessons and VBS

(I'm sorry the videos are kind of crummy quality. . .but it's better than nothing!!!)

The end of June was a CRAZY week of Vacation Bible School (Tanner's first time going, and he LOVED it) plus swimming lessons in the afternoon (in addition to karate!) We were EXHAUSTED!

I helped out with Bryce's class, so I was able to sneak this video of Tanner and his class, a few rows in front of us.  He did such a great job on the songs and the motions for them! 

Here's Bryce's group up front, leading one of the songs.  (This made B incredibly miserable!!!) 

And swimming lessons. . . this is how Tanner spent most of his days.  Huddled over the side trying to avoid the entire thing!

He was willing to kick his feet and splash. . .but blowing bubbles was NOT his happy place!

 Bryce did really well floating on his back, and swimming under water.  (But he hated it nonetheless! What a stinker!!!)  Despite their protests though, I felt like they both made some good progress, and it was worthwhile!!!! 

And karate. . . .

Tanner is really hoping to start karate lessons when he turns four.  He likes to follow along, by our seats in the corner, and punch at the bags that are stored over there.  {Tanner would love karate lessons for his birthday, if anyone wants to contribute to his karate fund!!!}

And in the midst of it all. . . .there's always time to be a half-dressed superhero.

Fort Myers

The boys and I took a trip to Fort Myers, leaving Eric at home to work. (Sorrrrrrry!)
We played in the pool just about the entire time, and we got to see Nancy, PLUS we got to meet Cousin Debi for the first time! (My mom and Nancy's cousin.)

This is definitely one of my favorite pictures of Tanner from this summer!!!

Bryce got pretty rich, picking up coins from the bottom of the swimming pool!

{Thank you Debi for taking fun pictures with ME in them!}

Even though Tanner looks verrrry happy, I promise, his didn't drink my mimosa!

Reading books with Annie Grannie!

Mimosas with Debi!

ICE CREAM!

OH YEAHHHHHHH!

SeaWorld

On our way to Lakeland, for Eric's United Methodist Annual Conference, we spent a day at SeaWorld, especially to visit the new Arctic exhibit.  We weren't super excited about the 60 minute wait to get to the penguin ride/visit, but when the ride broke down, and our 60 minute wait became 90 minutes, we were even LESS excited. BUT the penguins were super cute and fun, when we finally got in there!  (I don't think I've EVER waited that long for a ride in my life!) 

The boys on their way to the Arctic. . . .

 visiting with the penguins. . . .

 in the underwater penguin viewing area . . . .

for some CRAZY reason, we had never gone over to the Shamu viewing area. It was AWESOME! the whales were swimming around, and they came right up to the glass.  in this picture, two of them looked like they were kissing! it was SO cute! 

Tanner LOVES this train ride. . . 

"We LOVE SeaWorld.  Really. Why would you think we don't?"

(they really WERE having fun, despite these faces! ha!)

 a couple of wild rides with Daddy. ..  .

Best part - cooling off in the splash area!

SeaWorld!

Spent a fab afternoon at the hotel pool yesterday, and a full day at SeaWorld today. Just a few pictures for you!