Meeting the Disney Princesses

One of the reasons that we wanted to take the girls to Disneyland is because of the princesses.  They both are in LOVE with them.  Their favorite changes from time to time, but the constant is the love of everything princess.
We decided that it was better to spend the money and have breakfast and lunch with characters than to stand in line for hours to meet them. It was a nice break in our days to sit down and eat while meeting the princesses and some various characters. We had lunch at Ariel's Grotto and met some princesses (although Mulan must have been in China because she was no where to be found). We also had breakfast with Minnie Mouse and some of her friends.

The day after we got to Arizona, and the day before we left for Disneyland, my mom and I took the girls to the nail salon to get a special manicure and pedicure (just polish) for the girls. They each had pink and purple polka dots. Unfortunately, as soon as we were back at my parents house, they went swimming.. for hours... and all the polish peeled off their nails. Atleast we got pictures.

Here are some pictures of our Lunch at Ariel's Grotto where we met quite a few princesses

Disneyland 2010

Our family at Disneyland

Well, me made it out alive. 3 days in Disneyland and we are all still here. It was a fun, but very exhausting trip. We packed as much as we possibly could into 3 days, the girls and even we had a lot of fun. My parents watched Chase for 2 of the days, and then joined us for our last big day. Both girls were incredibly brave and the Matterhorn was one of the very first rides they went on. We had been 'practicing' quite a bit so they would know what to expect and apparently it workd, because they both were squealing with excitement and as soon as it was over, they wanted to go again and again and again. Apparently the same preperation was needed for splash mountain because Regen was in tears the entire ride and from that point on, every single ride terrified her.. even ones that she had been on before. When I asked if she wanted to go back on the Matterhorn, she replied with "I think I have had enough of this craziness". Claire was the complete opposite, if she could have gone on splash mountain she would have. Nothing fazed her, no loud noises, scares, she sat quietly and watched intentently through every ride. It was more fun for me to watch the girls on the rides, than the rides themselves.


Waiting patiently for the rides. We were pretty lucky, our longest wait was 30 minutes for Finding Nemo submarines. I spent hours before hand scheduling out our rides so we would have the shortest wait times. It seemed to all work out and we had tons of extra time to go back to the hotel every day for naps, and do quite a few rides twice.


Matterhorn, Round Two

Teacups, Round Two

Us Girls in front of Cinderella's Castle

This is what Claire looked like through all the rides. She sat perfectly still holding on to the lap bar and her head just moved all around to see what was going on around her.

Posing for a picture after going on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Heading down into the Submarine to Find Nemo

Autopia - Regen 'drove' us around. Unfortunately, this is one ride she was REALLY looking forward to, and we went on it AFTER Splash Mountain, she was pretty scared. You can see the look of complete concentration as she was trying to steer us in the right direction. Right as we were getting on, another car back-fired, and she freaked, so I had to force her to get on. Then our car stopped midway, and I had to restart it, she freaked again. She was not happy the entire ride..poor girl.

Round two on Alice in Wonderland. Chase was able to go on quite a few rides including this one, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pirates of the Carribean, Nemo, and Small World. He'll never remember, but we have pictures to prove he was there.

It's a Small World - we are all still singing the tune

I just couldn't resist

posting this picture of playtime after bath...

Swearing in

Colin has been interviewing for a volunteer position on the Parks and Trails Commission for the city of Redmond.  After 3 interviews, he was appointed, and last night at the city meeting, he was sworn in.  We all went, including Nona and Bubba to witness this occasion.  I thank the Lord that it was at the beginning of the meeting, and not the end. Three kids at bedtime sitting in a very quiet auditorium could have been disastrous.

Congratulations Colin - we are the proud family of the newest park commission member!

(sorry for the horrible quality of the pictures, I was bouncing a baby in my lap while trying to take pictures.. not conducive to clear pictures.)

Norman Rockwell Family Dance

Last night was Regen's first official school dance.  It was a family dance, so we put Chase down for bed at Aunt Shannon's house (thanks guys), and headed to RHS with the girls to do some dancing.   We walked in and it was not exactly what we were expecting...but we weren't really sure what to expect.  They had a DJ and it was CROWDED.  Both Regen and Claire (and their mommy) need time to adjust to large crowds and new situations, so we got a snack and observed a bit before joining in.  It was a fun time, but most of the dances were choreographed dances, so for the little ones, it was difficult for them to keep up.   Next year should be a blast since we all know what to expect.

They had a hula-hoop contest and Regen has been practicing her hula-hooping skills almost every day it is nice out, so she really wanted to join the contest.  Colin stood in line with her and we were so proud that she actually went up and DID IT!!  She didn't last too long, and she was pretty bummed at that, but SHE DID IT!!  Here is what I got of it.. she is in the top corner of the screen.  I couldn't see her at all trying to tape it.. so you can only see a glimpse of her.



Here is a video of her doing the YMCA.. she caught on to that one pretty fast. :)

Monitor

We have never really used a monitor with any of the kids.  We had one with Regen, but it usually kept me up more than it let me sleep.  During naps, if she was quiet, I figured she was either asleep, or content in her crib.  Our house is small, so if a baby is crying.. we can hear it.  I never needed a monitor to let me know that a kid was awake and not happy. We didn't use it at all with Claire, but now with Chase I have been finding myself outside with the two girls much more than before, and sometimes even at the neighbors house (shhhhh) when Chase is  napping, so I thought I would break out the monitor for those times where we were farther from the house.  Well, I pulled it out and it didn't work, so I had to go buy the cheapest one I could find that would work if I was in our yard or the neighbors yard.   The girls love to turn it on when anyone is up in Chase's room, and here, Chase was fussing before falling asleep and Claire was trying to comfort him through the monitor...

The Men in my Life

Chase's 1st Haircut

Today was family haircut day before our big vacation.  Chase's hair has been really sprouting the last month or so, so we thought we should get his hair trimmed up too.  We just had it cut around his ears, but the look on his face when the clippers got near him was priceless.  He was SO concerned.  Rhiannon (our stylist for many years) touched Chase's hands with the clippers first so he could feel it and he sat so still with this very worried look on his face.  Hopefully that lasts...

Dressing up

As you probably know, if you come to our house, you will more than likely find the girls dressed up in some form of princess attire. You'd think I wouldn't have much laundry to do, because all they wear is dress-up clothes. We have had the movie "Mulan" for years, but have never watched it. A few weeks ago, we finally let them watch it, and it QUICKLY became their new favorite. I hear every day about how Mulan saved China from the Huns, and how Mulan dressed up as a BOY!! So, now this is their new dress up favorite. And thanks to Regen's artistry skills, they have swords too.

I think Colin kind of likes it though. Now he is the Hun and the girls are Mulan, and they run around 'fighting' with him. Colin is usually the prince and has to dance with them every night, or get dressed up himself. Ha!

Found

I found this on our bed the other night. Gotta love the new writing skills!

Painting for You!

Regen is quite the artist, and can spend hours drawing, writing, painting, and making books. Now that Arizona and Disneyland are right around the corner, the focus of her artwork is Arizona and Disneyland. She painted this for Grandma and Papa, but since we will see them in a few short weeks, I promised her that I would "blog it".

Slumber Party!!

Last weekend, we headed to the Hovey's for a night with them before they pack up and leave us for 8 years. We had a fun time catching up and letting the kids play. The 4 girls were pretty excited to have a SLUMBER party. We were all a little concerned to see how it was all going to play out, 4 girls, ages 2-7, all sleeping together. We thought we'd be up there multiple times to threaten to separate them (oh, all the memories of my childhood came rushing back). But, to our surprise, we only went up there a couple times and they all fell asleep. It could have been the fact that the *Marine* went up there to 'talk' to them. I think my girls were scared straight after the first visit upstairs. :)

Thanks Hovey's we had a good time, and the girls want to do it again before you leave! You'll be missed!

Mornings

Chase usually wakes up around 6:30am, before the girls. I quickly run into his room and grab him before he does wake the girls and bring him back to our room, so I can 'finish' waking up (because if you know me, I am NOT a morning person, so it takes me a good 20-30 minutes to fully wake up). He gets fed while I doze, then we have some time to play together before the girls come in and our day begins.




heeeeeelllp me!!

6 Months

Chase is now 6 months old. I have almost convinced myself that I want another baby. I just wish the *baby* part didn't go so darn fast. One good thing, I take every moment in and make mental notes not to forget the little things. His little crinkle in his nose when he smiles at me. The cuddles while he sucks his thumb and rocking in his chair.

He is getting better and better at sitting on his own. Today he sat long enough for me to get a picture.

Here are his "stats" from his 6-month well-baby check up today:
28.5 inches (97%)
17lbs 4 oz (50%)
Head 17 5/8" (80%)