Day 93

Cute huh? I had a hard time deciding on a photo for today because I, personally have been feeling lazy (in need of recovery time from vacation I'm sure) and haven't done anything noteworthy. The kids have been pretty cute in the things they were playing today. Kaitlyn dressed up herself and Hello Kitty as "twins" (with "matching" jewelry and headbands) then pulled out her camera and had Ty pose for a photo with Kitty. She also directed me to get one of her and Kitty. I have also been having fun watching her incorporate things from our trip into her playtime. After lunch she had me play Princess with her. And this afternoon they were playing "rollercoaster" on the seats from the car (that are lined up in our living room waiting for us to put them back in the vehicle). Tyler is usually pretty good about going along with whatever plan his big sister has concocted.

Day 92

I spent the day doing "recovery" from the trip. Everyone slept in and then we took it slow, with me slowly working my way through the laundry and unpacking. We also spent some time outside with the kids playing in the new 12" of snow and me shoveling it. (ick) The kids I think are enjoying being back at home and rediscovering all their toys because they have entertained themselves pretty well today. The cutest part of the afternoon was when Kaitlyn brought Tyler out, both of them wearing their Mickey ears (that I had forgotten to pack for the trip! I didn't beat myself up too much because they were the only things I had forgotten this time). I took a quick photo and the disappeared back to Katy's room, to return a few minutes later even more decked out. Kaitlyn requested that I find her some flowers and told me they were having a "Mickey Wedding." She then presented me with 2 dress-up rings and told me to walk in front of her and Tyler. At this point Ty decided he was done cooperating so Katy and I ended up doing the wedding without the groom. :)

Day 91

Headed home - what a long drive! We all just wanted to be home and it seemed to go on forever and ever. And poor Ty. He took a nap but it didn't last long and he is awful when that happens. Whining and crying for hours. Seriously. No matter what I tried it just went on and on. Sam finally yelled TYLER! and scared the poor kid. So he pouted behind his hands for a few minutes before finally settling down and letting us finish the rest of the drive (another hour and a half) in relative peace. When we stopped for dinner shortly after this incident we realized his diaper had leaked BAD. No wonder the poor guy didn't respond to everything else we tried to make him happy. Then we walked out of the restaurant in SLC to realize that it was snowing and the roads were nasty. Ugh! But we made it! We're home! Phew.

Day 90

Today we went to the beach with Sam's aunt Jerilyn and her family, and Colette and her family. The drive to the beach was through the beautiful Napa Valley which was really interesting to see. The beach itself was great! The water was cold and it took a while before we could take off the jackets. But eventually the kids did end up in swimming suits running in and out of the surf and making sand castles/pits all day long. They absolutely loved it. And for Sam and myself, it was the most relaxing day of the trip. Our kids each ended up with one of the older kids as a buddy and they kept them entertained and out of trouble. It was wonderful. Thanks Jerilyn and Paul!

Day 89

Czar and Robin's wedding. I was asked to do the photographs - an intimidating job and one I don't feel like I carried out very well. But the couple looked very happy and that's all that matters.
It was a 7 hour drive for us from Anaheim and we arrived in time to help with a little of the setting up. The wedding went well. Tyler found a new friend, Andrea (Sam's cousin) that played with him and carried him around all night. And the kids (the cousins and Kaitlyn) finished up the night with a swim in the pool (so funny!) while we were cleaning up.

Day 88

A wish come true! Kaitlyn LOVES making wishes - on stars, on birthday candles, and during our trip, in every fountain we let her stop at. And one of her wishes was for a "stuffed animal Hello Kitty" that she saw in the Build A Bear catalog a few weeks ago. So after doing the parks until naptime and then hitting the pool (Katy and Sam did at least - Ty was SUPPOSED to be sleeping but due to a nap in one of the lines he wasn't tired enough) we were ready to go on a souvenir shopping trip. It just so happens that Downtown Disney has a Build A Bear so Kaitlyn got her wish. (she got the Mickey ears for Kitty but we couldn't talk her into getting one of the adorable Princess outfits for her. I just might have to go back and get one for myself!) And Tyler got a tractor and a loader from the giant Lego store.

Day 87

Christina and Kayla joined us at Disneyland today. It was so much fun! (how could it not be??) Kayla was a bit shy at first but by the end of the day you would have thought she and Katy were the best of friends.

I was almost too tired to blog tonight - can you believe it?? I continue to be surprised (not sure why) at how exhausting it is to be out having fun all day.

Oh and C - if your version of this pic is better (meaning Katy's eyes are open!) send it my way please.