I'm already itching to do all the yard work I've been thinking about doing these last few months. The ground just has to get a little drier, and we'll be there. The vegitable garden is just pulling me towards every time I walk past.

Before it started getting warm, we did a nice winter/spring break in the Sunshine State. In early March, over one of Jen's spring breaks, we flew down to the Tampa Airport to meet the Randolph clan for some wonderful days at the beach.

We had been a bit busy before the trip and somehow were able to get our act together and pack and be ready (thanks almost entirely to Jen). We got to the airport on time (unlike last time) and got through security. As Jen was off searching for some breakfast, I realized that something was amise. Then I realized, we forgot the car seat for Meredith! We went into panic mode, but realized quickly we didn't have the time to run through security and to the parking ramp to fetch it. Meredith was simply going to have to sit on the seat in the airplane like a big person. Once we got down to Florida we'd figure SOMETHING out. We truly felt like imbecile parents. (In our defense, we were both caffeine-deprived.)

Of course in the end it worked fine and we were over-reacting. Meredith did great on the plane, despite the unfamiliar seating situation. (She eventually fell asleep and took a nice nap.) When we got to Florida we discovered what many people probably think is obcious: you can rent child seats from car rental agencies. Well, la-de-da! We did just that and were then ready for a fun, relaxing vacation.

And it was a relaxing vacation! We were on the beach at St. Pete Beach. We saw the sunset over the Gulf in the evening, made simple, but delicious dinners in our hotel kitchenette, walked along the beach, saw dolphins, built sand castles, collected shells, fed seagulls, and swam in the swimming pool. And was what Meredith got to do. The adults also played ping pong and tennis, and waded in the ocean. (Meredith didn't want to go into the ocean until she consented touching it on the last day.)

While we were gone we found out we missed one of the big snowstorms of the seasons. It was good timing indeed. The break was a needed and helpful one to recharge before heading back into the chaos of everyday life.

Fortunately, Meredith's other grandparents came over to lavish her with some more grandparent attention so whe wasn't deprived too much. This girl really likes her grandparents. They are like the coolest people in the whole wide world, unlike those boring parents. Grandma Cathy and Dave came to visit from Wisconsin and shared their pictures and stories from their recent trip to Argintina, the Falkland Islands, and Antarctica. It sounded like quite the trip. I'm very jealous.

Life goes on. Work is keeping me busy and Jen will be headed to finals season shortly. This summer she'll be back at the same firm as last year and is looking forward to that. We're both looking forward to warmer weather and grilling outside (twice so far!). Hopefully, we'll be able to include some more frequent updates in this space.