Here Comes The Surprise...

Monday finally came. We headed to the hotel and the girls took a quick nap while we unpacked and waited for Nana and Ms. Barbara to come to the hotel. They stayed with Caitlin so we could take the girls to Disneyland alone. The girls still had no idea where we were going. They thought we were going to their friend's house, Abby, for a tea party. (video of reaction to come shortly)

Delilah and Mikayla looking stylish in their glasses... thinking they were going to a tea party.

Daddy and his princesses in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle (although Mikayla kept saying it was Belle's castle)

Mommy and Delilah looking out the window of the monorail.
After going back to the hotel to eat dinner, we headed back out for some nighttime rides. Mikayla and Delilah rode the Matterhorn for the 1st time and LOVED it. Plus, we watched fireworks while riding it. The cutest thing was the next morning, Mikayla drew a picture of the "snowman monster" from the ride.

Daddy and Delilah on Matterhorn.Mikayla and Mommy watching the fireworks after the roller coaster ride.
Daddy getting kisses from his tinkerbells.
Mommy and her girls - happy as ever even if it is almost 11 pm!!

A Relaxing Sunday

We had to have a down day. Let me set the stage... on Thursday night before we came down, the girls were so excited they didn't go to bed till about 10:30 pm. Friday morning, they woke up at 7:30 am (which they usually don't till 8 am after going to bed by 8:30 pm). They didn't take a nap the entire day on Friday and once we got to Nana and Papa's, they thought it was so fun to sleep in the same bed that they didn't go to bed till about 10:30 pm that night. Delilah woke up at 6 am and tried to get into bed with Nana and Papa on Saturday to watch cartoons. They did take a short nap on Saturday and went to bed around 8:30 pm. Sunday, they woke up a little later - so sleep was finally catching up - however, they were still exhausted. So we kept Sunday a relaxing day. Daddy went to church and we just stayed and played. As soon as Nana and Daddy came home, we went to the park to go walking... making Delilah tired all over again - see pic below.

Mikayla making a mess out of Nana and Papa's family room.
Caitlin bundled up for our walk in the park.
Nana with two sleeping angels... this was in the early evening before dinner... Delilah just conked out while watching tv.

Papa having a blast laughing with Caitlin

Visit With Family in Malibu and 1st Time at the Beach

The morning started out with Nana holding her newest granddaughter. And then off we went up to Malibu to visit our Aunt Pat, Uncle Clay, and cousins Sean and Rachel. We haven't seen them since November 2006 so it was definitely a nice visit and time to catch up.

Cousin Rachel holding Caitlin.
After lunch, Aunt Pat and Uncle Clay took the girls outside to pick oranges from their tree (and after that, they have wanted to pick oranges from everyone's tree - even people we don't know)
Uncle Clay cooing to Caitlin
Aunt Pat stealing some baby smell sniffs (and of course giving big hugs)
After leaving Malibu, we were going to go to the beach up there but the girls were so tired so we had them take a nap in the car while we drove back towards Harbor City. We took them down to Manhattan Beach area and for the first time, they got to sink their feet into the sand and feel the cold ocean - which they LOVED!! They had so much fun falling into the ocean that they rode back to Nana and Papa's house with just underwear and their shirt since their pants were soaked and full of wet sand. The one thing I DON'T miss about the beach!!


Once we got home from the beach, the girls played dress up as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty - still not knowing they would see the princesses in a couple of days.
Girls having Papa read to them.

Driving Down To Los Angeles

Okay, so we attempted to leave early Friday morning (trying for 9 am). By the time we finally got on the road after getting lunch, dropping off Popcorn at the doggy hotel, and of course packing up the car - we were on the 5 freeway going south by noon. Which meant we hit LA right at traffic time on a Friday night. (Now I know what you are thinking - isn't there always traffic in LA - yes!!! But some days and times are lighter traffic). Below are the girls enjoying the ride. Mikayla and Delilah made the whole trip without napping. They were very excited to see Nana and Papa as well as the beach (didn't know about Disneyland yet)

MMMMM... Chocolate Rabbits

As you can see, the girls enjoy their chocolate bunnies. Afterwards, we take them to the park to run some of that chocolate energy off!!

He Is Risen!!

We went to Easter service on Saturday to leave space for others on Easter Sunday. Service was beautiful and after we came home and got ready for bed, we dyed the Easter eggs.


The next morning, the girls woke up and found what the Easter bunny left them and then went hunting for eggs. According to Mikayla, the Mommy Easter bunny left the stuff inside the house and the Daddy Easter bunny put the eggs outside.

Happy Easter!!

Here's Looking At You Kid!!

My heart melts every time Caitlin's eyes light up and that smile spreads across her face forming lil' dimples on her chubby cheeks!!!

Up to the Mountains We Go...But Not For Long!

Since last October when we went to Pine Mountain Lake last, the girls have said at least a couple of times a week that they want to go back to the "cabin". Since Daddy is off for a month from work, we decided to go to the cabin for a couple of days. Well, Friday, Mikayla caught some bug and threw up all night long. Saturday, she didn't... and then Sunday night she threw up once. We were supposed to leave Monday morning and didn't know if we should. But Mikayla seemed to be doing well so we went ahead and went up. First thing we did was check out our property - which was looking so lonely without a home on it (just waiting to hit those lottery numbers!!) After that, took the girls to the park and the fishing hole to just look at the water. That night, Mikayla started complaining of not feeling well so she didn't eat dinner but within 5 minutes of drinking some 7-up... her food from the day came up. After 30 minutes of cleaning, Daddy and I decided to take them home the next day so she doesn't make a mess all over the cabin. We woke up the next day, went for a nice long hike and then took the girls fishing. We finally headed home at 3 in the afternoon. It was sad to cut it short but if Mikayla was going to be sick again, it would be better for her and us if she was at home. (Needless to say - she never threw up again but then Mommy and Caitlin caught the bug on Friday).

Plus side... Caitlin finally got to see her new Home Away From Home!