Florida Fun

Well, it may be snowing outside, and the laundry is a little overwhelming, but it's good to be home! Bryan, Elise, and I had a great time in Panama City Beach, Florida, with Bryan's mom and dad. Elise did great in the van on the way there and back. I kinda figured she'd sleep most of the time because a car ride usually has that effect on her, but I think she was just too excited to be on vacation, and so she was pleasantly awake for a lot of the trek.

Our time there included lots of firsts for Elise: first boat ride, first time to the beach, first time swimming, and first night away from mom and dad when she roomed with her grandma and grandpa for a couple nights. Overall, we had a very relaxing week with plenty of sunshine. We golfed a little, shopped a little, relaxed by the pool, read a lot, played cards, ate out, slept in, walked on the beach, boogie boarded in the ocean, and enjoyed lots of good time together-which is what vacation is all about. Here's a few of my favorite pictures of our time there:

life with a 5-month old

While Bryan and I feel like life has been speeding by the past few weeks (maybe months!) Elise is already 5 months old! She is getting more fun by the day, and she's always revealing something else amazing that she can do. Sticking her tongue out at me, splashing in the tub, and giggling are a couple of my favorites. Screaming and spitting her cereal back at me...not as much. :) She's still sleeping through most of the night, and she can even sit up all on her own. She definately feels more like a little girl than a baby. Our friends comment that she has "quite the personality," and we're proud to agree.


Bryan is still working really hard at Innotec. Although his stress isn't much better, he is able to sleep most of the night now, which is a huge improvement from a few weeks ago. He's enjoying some big 10 basketball in Indianapolis today and tomorrow with his dad and mine. It'll be soooo good for him to be with a couple of his favorite people, relaxing and enjoying some good games. It's sometimes so hard to know how to best support him through this tough spot, and I'm so glad he can feel good about taking the time off from work to go have fun.

Overall, Bryan and I have always been really good about not being too busy or being over-commited. It just seems that this season of life is just that: super-busy and speeding by. I'm not sure how to get it back under control, and I fear that maybe this is just how life as parents will always be. We're trying to be intentional about our time and commitments, and I really hope that as the weather turns nice, we'll be able to slow down a little bit. In any case, we're thankful for our healthy little girl, our good jobs, and our wonderful families. Life is good!

Here are a few pictures of the last couple weeks.....

Elise and friend, Leyton Gritter

Sitting up with Indy close by

4 and 1/2 months old

Cereal fun