Pint-sized Picasso

We try to encourage Brianne's creativity as much as we can, though sometimes, we are limited by our desire to keep clothes and surfaces clean. But we recently let Brianne go nuts with several bottles of finger paint, just to see what would happen...

Of course, we did this on the patio, with Brianne wearing a bathing suit and working on top of a plastic cooler. At first, she wasn't sure about the finger paint and getting her hands dirty. After she realized how fun it was to smear and squish the paint, there was no stopping her!

Brianne making some dainty swirls.


Then she figured out it was just as much fun to squirt the paint as it was to smear it around. She emptied almost 2 bottles of paint in 5 minutes.


Getting a little crazy with the paint! After the first few minutes, she got more paint on herself than on the paper.


Experimenting with the Smurf look. That blue paint really brings out the blue in her eyes!


After she was done painting, we had to hose her down in the pool.

Kitchen Counters, Beware!

Brianne has been tall for her age since she was born, and she just keeps getting bigger! We have had to be more careful than ever not to leave things lying around on the counters, since she can now reach most things up there.

Brianne plotting her next move... I think she is eyeing Daddy's wallet...


No, she's not really that tall. She has just learned how to use tools to make herself even taller. Hence, the kitchen stool... Now nothing is safe.

Beach House Weekend

For over 20 years, Marty's family has had a time share up at Deerfield Beach. Many of Marty's extended family also have units, so it's a fun time for everyone to get together and relax. We don't stay for the week, but enjoy coming up for the weekend.

I remember taking Brianne when she was only a month old. Oh how the times have changed! The first time we came, we sat under the cabana and soaked in the sea breeze. This time, Brianne wanted to be everywhere - in the pool, on the beach, running around the shuffle board court...

Chilling out in the pool.


Taking a few swings with the pool noodle - showin' that pool who's boss!


Getting a lift from Daddy.

The Beach house is from Saturday to Saturday, so on the Sunday when everyone comes home, we have a Mass at our sister-in-law Casey's house. The Mass is given by our family friend, Father John, who travels the world as a missionary, but finds his way back to Florida every August for the Beach House. Here is Brianne checking out Father John's special Mass items.

Sharing a hug with Grandma Mimi after Mass. Everyone enjoyed a nice breakfast. I wish Mass could be like this every week!

Sharing left-over breakfast bagels with the family of ducks that live outside Aunt Casey's house.

Our pretty little angel :o)