More on Vaca

Walking on the walls with Papa


Picking greens from the garden with Mama Lynn...Kate loved picking the lettuce, digging in the soil and getting her fingers dirty, a rare and newly acquired passion.


Hair all pulled back for her garden expedition


Watch out for Sheriff Kate at the Gepetto toy shop!


A quick and fun, but rather unsuccessful jaunt to Las Olas, a seaside Mexican restaurant in Cardiff, rumored by some to have the worlds finest guacamole. We went specifically to purchase a ginormous order of guac for a certain friend (whose identity shall remain a mystery), but to our dismay found that the wonderful freshness of this worlds finest guacamole would not survive the trip all the way to Michigan. So alas, we turned and went our merry way, disappointed only to have our great plan thwarted, but joyous that our faces were in the warm sunshine as we drove down the breathtaking coast and laughed that we were so silly.


Late night ice cream with Papa...yummy!

posing a sweater from Myles...if she doesn't look thrilled it is only because it is 4:30 AM to her as I got her dressed for church this morning. She warmed up as usual once breakfast was in her belly.

Disneyland Adventure

So on February 9, 2010 Kate made her first trip to Disneyland...one of the bonuses was that Michael and I were able to go for free thanks to the Disney Give A Day Get A Day volunteer program! We all had a blast, especially watching Kate's face light up when she saw the characters, look in pure and utter amazement during It's A Small World and the shrieks of delight on the Jungle Cruise! Although it rained on and off the entire day (you will notice Michael and I sporting our fancy Disney ponchos as you scroll along), it worked to our advantage with the small crowds and incredibly short lines...5 minute wait for everything! What a fun-filled family day, just the three of us (for the time being), on a Disney adventure...I wish for many more to come!

We started of the day right with breakfast of smoothies and oatmeal at Jamba Juice; a local smoothie joint that we single-handedly keep in business when visiting.


Shaking Minnie's hand goodbye


Lovin' on Goofy


Self portrait


Sitting on Dumbo ride...Kate repeatedly said "cheese" that day, always distracted by something else and not looking at the camera...


WEEEEEEEE!!!!



Ponchos and Umbrellas


It's a Small World After All



Minnie's Bedroom


Hugs for Mickey Mouse


Chip and Dale's Treehouse


Lunch time


Indiana Jones Ride


Naptime! I honestly did not think this would happen. She never falls asleep in her stroller these days. Guess we wore her out.


Tigger with Eeyore shortly to follow


Jungle Cruise



She was so well behaved in the stores. With arms full of stuffed characters that were being switched out as she discovered more and more...When it was time to leave she calmly set them down, said goodnight to the animals and we left without any tears!

Gotta love those Minnie ears!

Eary Birthday Celebration

Since my family will not have the luxury of being with Kate on her actual birthday, we had an early party here with them complete with a banner, party hats, blowers, cupcake cones and lots of presents. Everyone helped to make the cupcakes...until Kate couldn't keep her fingers out of the batter. Then she had to be distracted by playing chef with Papa using the pretend food. She was the ideal gift opener...so genuinely excited about each one and said "tank too" afterwards as well. We had tons of fun. When asked how old she is, she replies "two" and struggles to put up just two little fingers. So cute! Can't beleive she is so grown up and yet it feels like she has always been a part of our lives! Later that night, once Kate was in bed, my family surprised Michael and I with a mini baby shower for little baby boy Molloy...this kid will be set with the cutest onsies and outfits ever!





The top chef needed a break after such masterful baking

Cali...rain or shine

So we have been visiting Papa and "Manna" (I don't know where Kate came up with that one) and loving every minute. Kate has been delighted to wake up and try to find snails ("snainaaals") with Papa; running, well more like doing laps over the bridge and around the pool, breakfast at Cheesecake factoryseeing her So Cal family, playing with Auntie Lala's kichen toys/pretend food she used to play with ages ago, playing with Jacob, my dear friend Michelle's little boy...here are some of the highlights: