Wonderful World of Disney

I have returned to report that the happiest place on earth (aka Disneyland) lives up to its claim as such, even in monsoon like weather! We arrived in California for our Disney adventure last week and we were able to enjoy both sunny weather and torrential rains. Did we enjoy the wet climate? Actually, yes...the lines were few and the waiting only minutes, if that. We got to go on nearly everything...and truthfully, it is a toss up as to who got the most giddy of group. It may have been me, you will have to ask Dave on that one. Grant, obviously thrilled for just the plane ride, announced loudly in the cabin: "Pilot? PILOT, I am ready for blast off!!"

As you can see here, I got a little excited. Dave offered to take Katelee back to the hotel one day for a nap and Grant and I hit the Buzz Lightyear ride about 10 times. The other day, Grant wanted a nap and while the three of them returned to the room, I literally ran from attraction to attraction with a smile on my face. The last night the three of them were so worn out, they fell asleep in the ice cream shop and I told them I had just a couple more rides to hit before I was ready to go. It was a great trip!

We celebrated Grant's birthday at Goofy's Kitchen and here he is displaying his chocolate mickey figurine. He was going to town on that. We loved the character breakfasts and Katelee warmed up to the characters by the end of the trip, but at first a quick high five and then a cry was about all she could bring herself to do. Most of the time, she just gave all of us and the delightful Disney playmates, dirty looks...it is her specialty!Grant, on the other hand, dished out hug after hug. He would stretch his arms out 100 feet away and slowly approach his furry friends: More than half of our time, we were wearing our rain gear. We have always joked that Katelee reminds us of ET (just the way she walks back and forth and sideways waddles a bit), this little poncho confirmed that as she tried to walk around in it: Grant refused to wear his rain jacket, so we just covered him in the stroller...yes, he is inside. We stayed nice and dry except for my feet, which after 14 hours of rain walking were completely white and pruney...next time rain boots, I know.

We can't wait to go back...well I can't. Who knew I would be a maniac at the park, next time I may need some intervention!

Winter Wonderland

One more month of winter gone and it seems as though we haven't had enough good snow fun! Dave and I did go snowmobiling last Saturday for my birthday.

We had a blast and it was so beautiful. Dave demanded that I let him off when I drove (he claimed I was a crazy driver, that he had nothing to hold on to, and that he was going to fall off and severely injure himself.) Well, no person was injured; however, the vehicle that our friend borrowed to haul the snowmobiles up, did not return down the mountain unscathed! While we were loading them up on the trailer, the hitch popped off and shot through the rear window. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the Pathfinder had seen better days. It was a very cold and wet drive home!

We did get a small snowstorm this week and the kids and I did snow frolic a bit. Grant loves throwing the snow, Katelee does not love to recieve Grant's thrown snow; Grant loves making snow angels, Katelee just falls down in the powder. But, we all love the hot cocoa we enjoy later. Katelee, for days continues to cry, "MORE CHOCWATE" with big sighs and huge tears, like a true hormonal female! More snow adventures to come, we hope!

Good Times

Well, my camera was dysfunctional for awhile, the memory card was locked, or so it was telling me. So, now I am a bit behind posting some photos of the holidays. We had a nice holiday season...a great 2008, no big events or changes in our lives...lets see what 2009 brings us!

There's nothing like a child's fear...uh, I mean love of Santa!Christmas morning: 5 star quiche breakfast made by yours truly, new clothes, new toys, boxing and guitar hero.

Here is Dave, putting his heart and soul into boxing. I think he is trying to make up for the real flesh and blood boxing match that was cancelled...yes, I did have some influence on him with that decision. So, I think Paige didn't understand the fury behind the blows.

And, no better way to start the new year than a win at the Sugar Bowl! Wahoo!

Tis the season for colds and flus, and while I had my bout with it last week, while Dave was at the bowl game, Grant told me to lay down in bed and he came right by me, stroked my cheek and said, "It's okay mom, I will take care of you all of the days." How sweet-could I get that in writing?!

What (NOT) to Wear

So as we are ready to leave for church, I tell the kids to go downstairs so we can get in the car and head out. I, myself, had dressed Katelee and knew she was looking cute and ready...her ensemble looked like this:
Grant, however, had insisted he get dressed himself. This was no surprise, he does it nearly everyday. I just lay his clothes out. So, I was a bit shocked when he came out with this little ditty, as it was not what I had prepared:
I am afraid the poor child has some fashion issues, probably inherited from his mother!

Turkey Time

We had a great time with Dave's family over the Thanksgiving holiday. We are so blessed to have such amazing families whom we love and love to be with! Here is Katelee chillin with her great-grandpa. We spent lots and lots of time eating and laughing, watching Katelee chase around Aunt Anna and Uncle Curt's dog, Droopie...affectionately referred to as "Poopie" by Miss Kate. While the kids were completely worn out a few days into the trip, we kept them running.
We went to the World's largest Aquarium and the Coke Museum one day. Both were a lot of fun, although Grant was not impressed with the 4D film at the museum because he was squirted with water, it pretty much ruined the next few hours for him, such a travesty.

The next day we hit a civil war battelfield and Stone Mountain where we rode a train that made the entire trip a success for Grant. Here are the little monkeys enjoying their caroling train car excursion.

Grandpa McArthur came around with us and enjoyed the festivities...and the hot chocolate! Like Father like Son!

We don't kid around when it comes to the Thanksgiving Feast, we counted over 20 items to eat on Turkey Day! So, after a night of recovery, we took the kids to the mall, where we shopped til we dropped, or they did at least!
I wish I would have taken more pictures of the family and at Megan's baptism, but it was a fantastic trip. We returned home at least five pounds heavier, and ready for Christmas. Grant told Grandma McArthur he wanted Santa to bring him a dumpster. When she asked what else, he said,"Toliet paper to go with it." I will see if I can talk the jolly fellow into throwing that into the stocking for him...as if my house isn't already covered in plenty of shredded tissue bits for the garbage man to collect...