Disneyland/ Happy Birthday Gary!

At the end of March we decided to take a much needed break and head to California.  It had been a year and a half since we had been to Disneyland so we figured it was time to go again.  The kids were so excited to go, especially Isaac.  He wanted to go on Buzz Lightyear ride first but Peter Pan won out.  Sarah was not sure about this place.  She kept saying, "Go Home!"  But after a couple rides she decided she liked Disneyland after all.  Now all she asks for is,  "Go Disneyland!"

 Waiting for Storybook Ride.  This ride is just so beautiful - I love the gardens.

 Nemo ride was a big hit.  I must admit I am getting really good at taking pictures one handed!

 So when we finally made it to Buzz Lightyear, Sarah wanted nothing to do with the laser guns.  She went on this ride 3 times before she even touched the gun.  At the end of the 3rd time she decided to pick up the gun as we were getting off the ride.  Then all of a sudden she LOVED the ride.  "I do Buzz, I shoot Buzz.  Again!"  After that she was hooked and lets just say I lost count of how many times we rode this ride.

 Isaac was very focused on the targets.  He still loves this ride too!

 Mom and Isaac riding the cars together.  I am glad he has 10 years till we have to worry about him driving.

 Playing in the Tarzan Treehouse.

 Cars with daddy!  They let him go twice since he had 2 kids with him.  Each of them had a chance to drive the car.

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Isaac was finally tall enough to go on all the rides except Indiana Jones.  This is his first time on Star Tours.  It was fun for us too since they just reopened the ride with new videos to watch.  Isaac enjoyed the one with Darth Vadar.

My Mickeys!

 This is the picture that was taken on Splash Mountain.  Gary and Isaac were the only 2 in the log and Isaac got to ride in front.  He is holding the seat for dear life down the hill.

 Our cute Katie Bug. She did so good in this carrier.  7 weeks old.

 We had to go in the Monkey cage, since we have 3 monkeys!

 It's a Small World was more of Sarah's style of ride.  She loved watching all the dolls dancing and singing.  Isaac and Sarah enjoyed picking out the Disney characters they added to the ride.  Sarah is really into the movie Lilo and Stitch right now so she thought it was great seeing them in the ride.

 I love this one of Isaac giving Mickey a hug.

 The kids all had Mickey/Minnie shirts.  Sarah was scared of anyone in a costume, but she did give Mickey a five as we were leaving.

 Daddy and Katie hanging out in Toon Town.

 In California Adventure they have this great area for kids to run and play.  Isaac wanted to try the tire swing/zip line. He did great and of course loved it. 

 Bumper Bugs

Hanging out while Dad and Isaac were on Big Thunder Railroad.

 Mom and Isaac got to sit in the very front of BTR.  This was the only rollarcoaster Isaac really liked.  Maybe because to the goats eating the dynamite.

 They really do love each other!  We put them together on Snow White and he held her the whole time.  So Sweet!!

 If you look closely you can see everyone on the carousel together!

 Good bye Disneyland.  We had a great time and it was a lot of fun to spend Gary's birthday there.  Not every year that you get to sit and watch fireworks for your birthday.  We also made it to the Cheesecake Factory for his special day.  We had a so much fun we already want to go back.  Maybe in October (my favorite time).

Spring time/ Easter

In March a bunch of us headed to the zoo on a nice day.  We had 9 kids and 4 adults.  It was fun to watch all the cousins interact.  Here is a picture of Andrew, Clara, Sarah, Isaac and Macey playing on the rhino.  The kids liked playing on the statues more than looking at the animals.  Of course we couldn't leave without riding the train!












Katie is finally giving us some smiles.  She is playing with Grandpa L.

On Saturday night we colored Easter eggs.  The kids enjoyed coloring on the eggs with the 'magic' crayon and then putting them in the colors.

 

The Easter bunny has arrived!  Isaac has been asking for a pirate costume and luckily the bunny found a pirate hat.  The 2 have been inseparable since.  Sarah is loving her new Dora socks and of course her candy too!

My cute kids!

One month old!

 These are 2 pictures of Katie at 11 days old.  She was wide awake one morning and so I had fun taking her pictures. 
   I had her 2 week appointment to meet the real pediatrician and follow up on her blood work that was done in the hospital.  She weighed in at 7 lbs 12 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.  I really don't think her length was correct in the hospital because that means she grew 2 inches in 2 weeks!  She was such a good baby and let the doctor examine her without too much screaming. 

 I love how chunky she is getting.  She has some cheeks on her.  She was sleeping so peacefully.  I love how her little arms barely reach the top of her head. (17 days old)

 She LOVES the bathroom counter.  This is definitely her happy place.  She just lays there and kicks her feet and looks around.  I just love her belly! (19 days old)

 Isaac adores her and will come up and talk to her.  He loves to giver her kisses too!

 

 Of course Sarah had to check her out too! Lots of kisses for baby Katie. Sarah calls her, my Katie sister! These pictures were taken at 3 weeks old.

 So Katie woke up with an eye infection and so we had to take her back to the doctors for drops.  So at 3 weeks and 2 days old she now weighed 8 lbs 13 oz.  Let's just say she loves to nurse and apparently I have some good stuff!  This is Katie back on the counter in her happy place.

 Snuggled with Grandpa!  She is definitely being spoiled by him. (25 days old)

 We went to Gary's sisters house last weekend to celebrate Chad's birthday and of course Katie needed her diaper changed, well I left my purse at home since Gary was driving and that is where I put Katie's extra diapers, so she ended up in one of Sarah's.  Love the size 5 diaper that took up most of her body.

 Look who is ONE MONTH OLD already.  She is getting bigger every day.  It has been so much fun having another sweet baby girl around. 

 She loves the binky too!  What a lifesaver for me.

Starting to enjoy bathtime.

Pics of Katie

One day old

 First day home from the hospital

 One week old

Daddy and his girls!

 Two weeks old

It is sad how fast they change!

Introducing....

Miss KATIE ANN!  Our sweet baby girl made her arrival on Feb 6th.  She weighed in at 7 lbs. and was 18.5 inches long. 
      I started having contractions just before the superbowl so I knew the baby would be here soon.  We went to Gary's parents to watch the game and see his family.  The entire time my contractions stopped so I had a feeling she was going to come during the night. Well I woke up around 12:30 with contractions.  By 4am I hopped in the shower to get some relief and by 5am I told Gary it was time to head to the hospital.  We arrived at 6 and they admitted me to Labor and Delivery.  By 7am I was asking for the epidural since my contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes and were pretty strong.  My doctor ended up breaking my water around 9:30 and the biggest surprise came at 10:55am.  At our 19 week ultrasound they told us we were having a boy.  But when my doctor pulled the baby out she announced, It's a GIRL!  Gary and I just looked at eachother in dead silence.  The doctor then said, Isn't that what you were expecting?  We replied No they told us it was a boy.  She then gave the baby another look and said, That's a girl.  I just laid there crying and laughing for about 10 minutes.  It was such a shock and I am so happy to have another little girl.  I think this is why I couldn't find a boy's name for 18 weeks and we had her name within a day!  She has been such a wonderful blessing and she is such a good baby. 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Isaac's expression.  He has been so sweet with her.

My three cute kids.  Sarah is really good to her, but we are still working on being SOFT.

Her poor face was pretty bruised but I am amazed at how quickly it went away.

She is one week old in these pictures.

After the first night home I had her in a pack and play, but she didn't sleep well. So the next day my dad put our cradle together and she slept much better.  It is kind of fun having her sleep in the same cradle that I did!

More pictures to come.