Bolsa Chica again

Our last night in the RV, we headed back to Bolsa Chica and had a relaxing sunset picnic.

San Clemente State Beach

Since we were only here a few days and the beach was a pretty steep hike down a sandy pavement (and quite slippery) cliff, we decided to go to Sea World both days instead of the beach. We also celebrated Easter here, which was really great. We were nervous that the Easter Bunny might forget us since we were all up so late hanging out with the family at the next campsite over. But luckily, he must have made a second round in the morning, because there were hidden eggs all over the campsite! He even brought some Reese peanut butter cups for Brian!!

Sea World

The shows at Sea World were great... even Kailyn stayed entertained by them! Kailyn's favorite part was the Touch Tank - she loved the starfish!


We signed up for breakfast with Elmo and got to visit with all his friends, too. Kailyn was definitely a hit when she and another little girl were dancing with Big Bird!

DISNEY LAND!!

I have to admit, I was wrong on this one! I thought that Kailyn would probably be a little young for Disney and that we would only spend a little bit of time there. Thank goodness Mema got us the 5-day pass!!! It was so magical, to be completely unoriginal! There is just no better word to describe how amazing it was to see Disney through Kailyn's eyes. From dancing with the Princesses, to getting to ride a pink Dumbo, to the fireworks, to Snow White blowing Kailyn a kiss.... I could not have dreamt up a better time with our family. It was fabulous!

Of course, we had to visit the Disney Fire Station!

These were all in the Royal Court, where you can wait for an hour and a half to meet the Princesses. The first day, we didn't know any better and all stood in line, but were pros by Day #2! I stood in line while Dad took her to the Royal Coronation and let her check out the Castle. Jasmine was by far our favorite - she actually remembered Kailyn the second day that we brought her back!

Disney Land seemed a lot smaller than I remember Disney World when I was growing up. Not sure if it really is or if it's different as an adult, but I loved it. We never felt overwhelmed, and easily got to go on everything that we wanted to without having to wait in too many lines. It was great.
Brian literally ran out to the Dumbos to snag a pink one. He is such a great Dad!!!!! Kailyn could not have possibly been happier!

Watching the fireworks. Kailyn was really sweet and put her arm around my shoulder at the beginning, comforting me with, "don't worry, Mom, they will make a loud BOOM but it's not scary. Kailyn's here..." (Yes, I cried, but I am pregnant, too, so I get a little slack, right?)This one's for you, Papa! We tried to get one as big as the donut!!

Everyone at the park was so great as our little Princess danced around. Is it bad to laugh at the end of the clip?

Bolsa Chica State Beach

This was our second campsite, closest to Disney Land. Although it was more like a parking lot than a campground, I have to say that it was my favorite... that fence is the start of the beach. It was sooo nice to wake up in the morning to the waves crashing, walk down to the beach and see the dolphins playing and the surfers searching for a good wave. The beach was pretty much empty, with the exception of a few joggers and bikers. We were told that it was still early, and people don't like to pay the "expensive" state beach parking fares. Whatever the reason, we weren't complaining! It was nothing like the FL beaches!!


We've never really stayed in an RV before, but this was one of many benefits. Kailyn made friends everywhere we went! This is her friend Lauren from Southern CA - Brian was impressed to find out that this family was alot like ours would probably be if we lived Stateside. They have four wheelers and a toy hauler and try to get out camping at least once a month. I was also excited to find out that Lauren's mom was pregnant, too, and our girls were just a few weeks apart!

Leo Carillo State Beach

our campsite

Kailyn is flying her pink Barbie kite (I thought that it was Cinderella when I bought it.)
My favorite things all in one picture!!

Carrying on one tradition (we LOVE to throw rocks in the river!)...

... and another =)

Pajama Party!

Thanks, Shannon, for the super cool and fun jammies!


BTW... Kailyn is NOT picking her nose!!! And, I couldn't help but notice another little girl passing along the headlock tradition.... moo haaa haaa......

I can't wait until they are old enough for sleep overs! We're in so much trouble!

Eureka!

Hard to believe that it's almost time to start building again!

Cousin Kate

We finally got a chance to meet cousin Kate for the first time this year. They were able to visit last year, but it was when Dad was pretty sick and we didn't want to leave Valdez, so we only knew her from pictures and stories up until this trip.

It was lots of fun watching the kids play at Memere & Papa's. We were also pretty impressed at how well they all got along... considering that they are between 2 & 3 and usually wanted the same toys!

Splash-In

Sorry we didn't get a picture of CRAZY Jeannette jumping!!! It was priceless. Either way, the Splash-In was a success again this year.

Why Papa only gets to see Kailyn once a month!!!

While in Anchorage a few months ago, Papa was fabulous and came down to the hospital while I had a doctor's appointment so that Kailyn would have someone to hang out with. I was laughing so hard when I came out to find that she had convinced him she needed a pink drink (lemonade), and this donut that was bigger than her head!

And, yes, she ate nearly the whole thing herself =).

"No Maneenan"

We took Kailyn for her first snow machining ride (her first "real ride") and all had a blast. We stayed in town, not knowing how she would do, but she loved it and wants to go lots more! We did learn that it was best for us girls to stay in front though, because it was tempting to pass along the "Sit down, Daddy.... not safe," after hearing it umpteen thousand times in my ear! Kailyn was VERY concerned that her dad wasn't being as safe as possible each time he stood up on the sled. Hmmm... I think that she is going to be our cautious one!

She started with Dad on our street, but really wanted to be in the backpack. The ride started with her pretty scared of the loud noise, but once she saw the backpack and made the connection that it was a "winter 4-wheeler," she was ALL OVER IT!!! We're pretty lucky that she loves to do all the same stuff we do! I hope that the next baby is as easy going....

p.s The ride was actually at the beginning of December... it just took me that long to post...

Habin Bun!!!

In case you haven't heard my excitement about Kailyn's new school, she started on Monday and we both LOVE it!! Mrs. Banner invited the moms a little early to help practice for Sunday's Christmas Pageant (can you feel how absolutely ecstatic I am about this?), and so I was able to get in on all the fun, too. There are all kinds of fabulous toys at Small Fry, they do lots of crafts (is this not my IDEAL preschool or what??), and sing lots of songs.

She's in the 3-year-old class, which means that she is significantly younger then the other kiddos. Brian and I talked quite a bit about it and decided that it's probably a good thing to be around older kids. I hope that we made the right choice! I've already seen some changes in her attitude; I am thinking that she definitely wants to be like the "big kids." I hope that she makes friends in class and does OK - my fear is that she will be too young and will feel left out and alienated because there's a big social and developmental difference between 2 1/2 (not even) and 3 1/2... Hopefully, it'll work the other way and Kailyn will learn lots of new things from these guys... So far we've ended both days with "habin fun," a hug and a kiss for Mrs. Banner, and the question, "come back next time?"

"That was fun, Kailyn, we'll definitely come back next time!!"