Laundry....

Sam's idea of helping with the laundry is to take all of the clean clothes out of the basket, throw them on the floor, and roll around in them in fits of laughter. He is only looking up for the photo opp., what a ham! It is so nice that he can amuse himself at times.

Our Saturday.....

Mandee's.....Having a baby...We spent Saturday morning at a baby shower for my girlfriend from college, Mandee. It was a beautiful shower and Sammy had a great time checking out baby W's gifts, saying hi to Riley (5 months), and flirting with all of the women! According to the ladies there, he was very "well behaved".....as "some kiddos would have pulled off the table cloth". Sammy does like to keep busy and is often able to be redirected....despite his very, very strong will.

It was very nice to spend some time with Aunt Joannie, both on Friday and Saturday. Sam had a good time and was very entertained by her playful antics! The last picture is Aunt Joannie and Cousin Jake, he is getting so big!!

Mason, Sammy, and Trent

What a fabulous Wednesday! We were able to get together with my two really good friends from highschool and their beautiful boys....Mason, 6 months, and Trent, 13 months. Sam, the oldest of the crew, 15 months, was very pleased to have another house to check out and some boys his age to hang with. Notice the pictures of the three boys are when the oldest are in their highchairs, as there really was not another option to snap a picture of all three of them without them being harnessed in!! Thanks Liz and Courtney for meeting us and thanks Mason and Trent for playing! Thanks Courtney for lunch and for your hospitality. We can't wait to see you all again soon!

Mom Mom and Pop's......

Sam has been able to spend some quality time with his cousins on both sides of the family lately. Sam really has a great time with Jacob and Taylor. And they just can't get enough of Sammy. They want to hold him and pick him up, like they did several months ago.....but Sam really won't put up with that now. He is in constant motion, a busy busy explorer! The three children had a great time playing in the sandbox, swimming in the pool, and spending the night at the grandparents. Thanks Mom Mom and Pop. Sam can't wait to see Jacob and Taylor again.

Family VACATION..........

Aunt Karen helping Sam fill the buckets with water.
Aunt Maria and Grandma lounging on the beach.

Grandma's birthday celebration.
Sam learns how to be cool from his Godfather.
Jake is about the age that Sammy was last year. He is just hanging out with Grandpa and Uncle Joe. Jake did a lot of "hanging out" this week.
Daddy and Sam just strolling back to the blanket after having a throw with the football down in the waves.
Sam and cousin JJ playing in the sand. Sam was really into dumping the sand, JJ loved to drive his cars in the sand.

Dad, Mom, and Sammy....our happy little family. Life is wonderful.

The rides at the beach.....

Sam really is on the ride in the seat to my right....I swear!




Our normally very energetic, talkative, and animated Sam became rather quiet and reserved on the Carousel, Train Ride, and Flying Dumbo ride. Though he seemed to enjoy the movement and the rides, I think his little body was trying to make sense of all of the lights, noise, and movement that was occurring. He was his usual self with the single person rocket ship and helicopter that he rode in. And of course, pictured above, are his adoring fans.....

The beach

Sweet Sam.

Cousin JJ looking super cool, all ready for the walk to the beach. This was towards the end of the week, so he was an old pro by then.
I had to include this picture of Sammy's head. He had just dipped the top of his head into the sand.
Cool mini shells in wet sand.
Yes, the daredevil just climbed into the wagon filled with sand. Sam is definitely a child who needs parental supervision. He is so busy exploring his world!!

Sam in shades....Too cool for school.
Time for more water. By the end of the week, Sam was helping to fill up the dumped pails.
Mr. Independent.

We had a great time at the beach. It was a much needed vacation. Sam thoroughly enjoyed himself in the sand and the ocean. It was a much different experience this year than last year for our little boy. Last year he spent the vacation indoors in the AC, being bounced and held to keep him at peace. This year, he was totally ready to explore the length of the beach! He bounced (or rather walked a few steps before falling in the sand over and over and over again) back and forth between wading in the waves and digging in the sand. He definitely kept himself busy emptying and filling pails of water. He was literally covered in sand from head to toe from the moment we stepped foot on the beach.

Because I have a billion pictures from the shore, I will put them in a few different posts, so check back often!