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* We had the Swann's over for dessert on Sunday and they brought over some ice cream that Katelynn was more interested in. She was nice enough though to share hers with Marky without even being asked. Marky had came up to her and was grunting at her and then sat right down next to her and she looked at him and said, "Oh, you want some brother?" and then gave him a few bites.

* Katelynn got some hand me down shoes and loves them and wants to wear them all the time.

* Cleaning vomit up at 1:30 in the morning was not on my to do list. Marky threw up just that once so it just had to be a fluke.

Disneyland

I finally got our Disneyland visit scrapped and so here is our trip. We had a great time and Katelynn loved every single minute of it. Mark wasn't so hot on the idea of sitting in his stroller so much and Ben ended up having Mark duty most of the time so that put a damper on the visit. 

Mommy was so excited to take both you and Mark to Disneyland. Daddy was not so excited but he knew so well that going to Disneyland would make me so happy. The trip was planned with Eden’s baptism and Mason’s blessing. We drove down Wednesday night and had a great drive until the last 45 minutes when Katelynn threw up all over herself and her carseat, so Mommy had to wash the cover right when we got to the hotel. We didn’t get to bed until midnight. We arrived to Disneyland just before the park opened on Thursday morning. As soon as we walked under the train tracks we saw a few characters set for a meet and greet. I asked Katelynn if she wanted to meet Minnie and she was very excited to meet her. 

Katelynn waited in line patiently and when it was her turn it was just so wonderful to see the happiness and enjoyment that Katelynn was having with Minnie. Minnie was so wonderful and Katelynn just was enamored by her. I loved that Minnie took a moment to wave hello to Mark and have a turn too. 

We then went on to see Pluto but he was on his way out and we couldn’t have a moment to spend with him. As he was walking past waving I was able to get a cute picture of Katelynn getting a kiss from him. 

Goofy was in the same situation as Pluto and was leaving for a few minutes but I was able to snap a few pictures of Katelynn being goofy and of him waiving at Mark as he was still in the Chariot.

Chip and Dale showed up a few minutes later just as the gates were opening to the rest of the park so we waited to say hi to them too. Mark was just wanting to wonder around everywhere and see whatever he wanted and not wait in line. Dale saw Mark wandering and went over to him and said hi. It was so nice to see the interactions with the different characters. 

I wanted to get you guys some mouse ear hats when we got to Disneyland. So, after we met Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy we went over to the Mad Hatter Shop and picked up a hat for both of you. I picked up a traditional hat for Mark and Katelynn picked a Pink Princess hat for herself. I had your names put on the hats and Katelynn was so worried about her hat and what they were doing to it. I reassured her that was okay and she was just sewing the names on the hats. Mark didn’t like his ears at all. He had it on long enough for me to take a few pictures and then he was done with it. Katelynn loved her hat and wore it all throughout the park. 

We made it over to the castle for our family picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.  

Daddy was having an okay time, he spent a lot of the time chasing Mark around the park and posing for some classic poses. I just love Daddy giving you two bunny ears. After we went to meet the Princesses we picked up some ice cream since it was so warm on that day and Katelynn loves some Mickey Mouse ice cream and she got the ice cream all over her face. 

The little door that Katelynn was in front of was a non-working door that was to the White Rabbit’s house. She loved the door and wanted to go in and didn’t want to leave it.

The Fire station was so awesome to play in. Katelynn loved to play with the mail boxes to hear who was home. 

Ariel was the most awesome Princess. She really engaged you and made you feel so special and a Princess.

Meeting the Princesses was such a fun thing for you. Marky was taking a nap with Daddy while we went in line. We met Ariel, Belle and Cinderella. They were all so very engaging and I loved that you were able to sit and talk with each of them and have a few minutes to each other. I hope that you think it was a magical experience too.

We were at the park for only one day so we saw what we could for that day. We first went on a ride on King Aurthur’s Carousel, then to Dumbo, and Alice in Wonderland. Daddy and Mark rode these with us. Katelynn did well waiting for the rides and we all of course loved all the rides we were able to be on. Mark, you did not like waiting, you only wanted to walk around and see everything that you wanted to. You did well on the rides but you did not want to wait for them. I loved to see both of you enjoy the fun and magic that Disneyland was to me and I hope that you both will keep that enjoyment throughout your life. It is a happy and magical place full of grand memories.

The Rides We Went On

King Aurthur’s Carousel

Dumbo

Alice In Wonderland

Storybook Boat Ride

Roger Rabbit’s Coaster

Autotopia

In Fantasyland there is a huge whale from the Pinocchio story and Katelynn so wanted to ride on the boat that went into the whale. I do think that you wanted the ride to be different but you and Mommy went on the ride as Daddy and Mark waited for us.  For some reason you like things that are a little scary and I think that you were wanting it to be so but it wasn't  It was a ride looking at different dioramas of some of the Disney stories like Aladdin, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. That was probably the longest line that we waited in all day. 

Marky and Daddy weren’t able to stay for the Parade. Mark was just done for the day. Daddy was such a trooper wrangling you all day long and not complaining about it. Before you guys left daddy finished his ice cream.

The parade was probably my my most favorite part of the whole day. As I was standing in line getting some ice cream I was getting all teary eyed because of all the emotions and wonderful memories that being at Disneyland was bringing back to me. It was the greatest thing in the whole world to bring all the joy and complete magic into your lives too. Katelynn stayed with me as we waited for and watched the parade. You were so excited to see everything. You were pointing and screaming about everything that was coming . We sat next to a couple 20 year-old girls and you made them your friends and would tell them what was coming next and they were just smitten with you. 

For breakfast on Friday morning we went over to Paradise Pier hotel and ate with Stitch, Minnie, Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and Daisy. I think that we had a good time. the Mickey waffles were really good and all the good company was a fun little treat before we left for Uncle Caleb’s house. 

Goofy was of course goofy and played with daddy a little bit. Minnie was as sweet as could be. Marky was trying to figure out what was going on with all these characters coming over while he was trying to eat. 

Stitch was happy to hear that Daddy knew that he was also known as experiment 626.

I love the kissing/pop sound that all the characters make. It is so cute, and Marky got quite a few kisses since he is so adorable.

Pluto came to our table when we had finished our breakfast you gave him his card to sign and you thought it was the silliest thing ever that he was signing his name on his nose. That is where his eyes are!

I can't wait until our next trip to Disneyland, whenever that may be.

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* Katelynn has learned the game hide and seek and so this week has been all about who is hiding and who is counting. Playing this game with a three year old is very funny. If I am counting, she is running to her hiding spot before I can even close my eyes or get to our counting spot. If she is counting she is telling me where to hide and wants me to hide there before she closes her eyes. I will call out "Ready or not here I come" andshe is already popping out from her hiding spot. Mark is also catching on to the game and will go to one of our spots and wait. I love it. It is so cute.

*Mark had his 18 month appointment this week. He is now 25 lbs 8 oz and 33.5 inches tall. We have also made him a refferal to CVRC Central Valley Regional Center for his lack of spoken words. He says only one word and it really isn't a word, it's "uh-oh" but he understands everything that I say to him, where's daddy, where are your ears, pick up the lids and put them away, and everything in between, he just won't talk. So, hopefully speech therapy will help. I don't know what it will all entail we have an appointment in April for an evaluation.

* Mark got a hair cut. I think it looks very nice. Ben was shaving as I was holding and he would giggle when the clippers got next to his ears or neck.

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* Katelynn has started waking up at six am. Why? I don't know but I a not encouraging it and hope it stops.

* I found this delicious recipe for homemade lemon bars. I did just make 8 x 8 pan instead of the 9 x 13 just because I knew that I would have eaten the whole pan myself. It was finished that night and can't wait to make them again! I ended up making these 3 times this week to share with others.

* I am so happy with how Katelynn did at gymnastics today. She was a lot more cooperative and did a few things more than usual. Coach Gail is so wonderful and patient with her.

* We made it successfully through Story time at the Library. Katelynn sat and listened well through the stories and we even checked out a few books to take home. I am very happy with that.

* I was able to cut out and start the quilt for Katelynn and Katelynn has even helped me sew it together. After we sewed some of the pieces together we had to iron them flat. As I finished ironing them she gave each piece a kiss. It was really sweet. I hope she enjoys the quilt as much when it gets finished.

* After bathes they like to run up and down the hall with their towels on. It is so cute.