Disney!

We had a great time at Disney. We stayed in a "cabin" at Fort Wilderness... this is where Rick's folks have taken Rick and Kevin ever since they were small boys. On Monday, Richard and Carol still weren't feeling quite well, so they finally talked us into taking Kaitlyn into the park while they stayed at the campgrounds with Zach (we wanted them to be the ones to take her into the park). Kevin was back to work, so wasn't able to join us there. Zach, of course, enjoys himself wherever he is, and it sounds like they had a very pleasant and leisurely day at the campgrounds.

Meanwhile, we were at Disney on what I overheard was one of the busiest days of the year. It was NUTS, but Kaitlyn enjoyed it immensely, so it was worth it. Our first stop was Cinderella's castle... we got there just in time for the show in front of the castle with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty (K's favorite), and many other dancers. She was enthralled.

Next we hit the carousel (always her favorite) and a few other rides, and stopped in a shop and got her a Sleeping Beauty nightgown, which she wore the rest of the day. Here she is trying it on and admiring herself in a mirror.

And even though he didn't go into the park with us, Mema and Bebop made sure Zach got some Disney attire too!

Then it was time for the Christmas parade. Oh wow! Did she ever love that. There were 3 High School marching bands from around the country that preceded the parade, and though it was loud (those who know her well know how sensitive she is to loud noises), she greatly enjoyed them. Then she started seeing characters she knew... Pooh and friends... Mickey and Minnie... the princesses (especially Sleeping Beauty), Santa and his reindeer. She waved and blew kisses the whole time.

Now how were we to top that?? We got to MEET the princesses. She fell asleep on our shoulders while we waited in line (yes it was a very long wait), and we woke her when we were in the same room with them. Oh what a way to wake up! I was afraid she'd be afraid of them... no, she went up to them like they were long lost best friends!

My favorite part, by far, was the next day when Mema asked Kaitlyn which princess was her favorite (and have you picked up on that yet?). So I was totally expecting to hear her say "Sleeping Beauty" but she said "ME!"

Kaitlyn is definitely MY favorite princess!

More about the Beach...

We spent a couple hours at the beach on Saturday... Kaitlyn remembered it well from her first time, and quickly dug into the sand and enjoyed playing on the edge of the water. It was in the 80s, but the water was VERY cold so we didn't swim. Zach, on the other hand, hated the sand and wanted nothing to do with it. And he hated being in the sun, so didn't want to be down by the water (poor guy inherited every fair-skinned gene Rick and I have). So while Kaitlyn ran around and had a ball, Zach was either whining or crying most of the time. Poor guy. Anyways, finally got the pics uploaded so I could post a couple here...

It turns out that the sickness that Rick, his Dad and his Mom all got that night was probably food poisoning from the place where we ate lunch (so much for FRESH fish!). So though they were shaky on Sunday morning, they wanted to proceed with the plans to go to Disney...

Merry Christmas

Well, a little late... but as you'll soon read, it's been quite hectic. But then, when is it not?

Christmas morning was so fun, watching the kids open their gifts and play with their new toys. We enjoyed a big breakfast together, and just played. When the kids went down for naps, we packed the car and when they woke, we hit the road for the airport.

Our flight to Florida to spend Christmas with Rick's folks went very well. The flight arrived 20 mins early, and both kids did great! We got to Mema & Bebop's house, and right away Kaitlyn spotted "Presents!!" under the tree. So she had her 4th (and final) set of Christmas presents to open. She remembered the house well, and was very excited to see Uncle Kevin, whom she hasn't seen in almost a year. I was quite impressed that she remembered him. But then, we've always been intentional about keeping family pictures low on the fridge for her (and now Zach) to see and hold easily, as well as "toy" photo albums for them to play with. And I believe that has been a big help in keeping her connected to the out of state family. I can see Zach beginning to notice their pictures and play with them more now too.

Anyhow, we got here safely. I was just a little sick the next morning (sore throat and achy), but by Friday I was fine. So today we loaded up and drove to the beach for the day. Kaitlyn had a BALL running in the sand and water. Of course, I had to let her know it was okay for her to get "dirty" (yes, she's all girl!) but then she really got into digging into the sand and loved spashing in the water. Zach, on the other hand, HATED the beach. Might be he was still too tired to take well to all that new stuff, but he cried or whined most of the time we were there, and espcially didn't want anything to do with either sand or water. We got back to the house, and determined that he, Rick and Rick's Dad ALL have fevers, with the two Dad's being quite high. So the boys are all down for the count. We are praying for quick recovery, because tomorrow we're supposed to head out for Disney.

On a sad note, my Grandma (Mom's Mom) died on Christmas Day. Mom was by her side as she just slowed down and breathed her last. She was 94. She was a great cook (I remember how patiently she let Sandi and I "help" make bread or pies even while we were very young... and yes, I cherish her cherry pie recipe!). She was smart, loved interesting conversations, and very well read. Please pray for Mom and her brother Bill as they work out all the logistics and details. And pray for Miles... he was her 2nd husband (they married after both were widowed quite young), and their rooms were side by side in the nursing home. He is 93, and I know he will feel her loss so profoundly. I am ever so grateful that we were able to introduce Grandma to her only great-grandchildren last summer. That visit gives me great comfort. And I am grateful that I'll be back to TN in time to turn around and go to Ohio for her service.

Z's laughter

Lately, Zach's been experimenting with sounds. His latest is that when he really gets laughing hard, he sounds more like he's coughing up a hairball. Really cracks us up! (Please forgive the jiggling camera. I just got so tickled watching him!)

Z's got talent

Check out Zach's spoon trick...

Singing

Kaitlyn is learning new songs at church that I don't even realize she has learned. The other day she started singing the Gaither's chorus "Let's Just Praise the Lord" and I just got so tickled. It's long been one of my favorites, but it hasn't come to mind in quite a while, so to have my 2 year old singing it was especially sweet.

Rick and I were quizzing her about what she knows about God (in part because I wanted to get a sense of what she knew and what we need to work on), and her first answer was "God loves me." I couldn't have hoped for a better answer!

A Star is Born

Kaitlyn had her "debut" last week. The Children's choir sang, and yes, she was the one that's in every crowd... can't stand still, totally performing for the crowd. And we enjoyed every minute of it.


I have thus far failed to get any updated family group pics with us and/or grandparents.

While Kaitlyn is our performer, Zach is our engineer. He picks up a toy and studies it and figures it all out. Recently he's been focused on the kitchen. Perhaps he'll be a cook? He does love to eat!