We're Back!

Well, we've been on vacation for the last 8 days but we got back last night. What a great time we had. On Wednesday of last week we went to Disneyland with the kids and Brian's parents. Boy, was it crowded. NEVER go on spring break. We had fun anyway because the kids aren't old enough to want to go on all the rides. We went to Tom Sawyer Island, did the Canoe Ride, Dumbo, the Train, and a few other things that didn't have a long line. We decided not to go the second day (we didn't have tickets yet anyways). Of course, I was still sick and the evening we were at Disneyland I got a really bad earache. Can I just say, I love Kaiser. I went to the Family Practice Clinic in Fontana, got in to see a doctor (without an appt), got a prescription filled and was in and out in 2 hours. I'd like to see that with CHW or Sutter. I felt much better the next day but couldn't really hear out of either ear for the cruise. Still had a wonderful time without the kids.

We left for our cruise around 11:00 on Friday, the Carnival Paradise to Ensenada, Mexico. We finally decided to go high class and actually get a room with a window!! Not a port hole either, ha, ha. What a difference it makes. We had a really fun table at dinner, the food was delicious... I want to go back. We decided not to do any of the tours in Ensenada... just wanted to kick back and do whatever we felt like. We stumbled upon the coolest mexican bar. Of course, there's Papas and Beer and Mango Mango but it wasn't really our style. We actually wanted to talk to each other and be able to hear each other. The bar we found was definately a local hangout. There was a mariachi band playing when we walked in and is was open so you felt like you were outside. After a beer or 2 we started talking to the locals (in our gringo spanish) and asked what they were drinking. One of the gentleman replied "El Bull, es bueno." So we decided we would try ONE. It had a shot of Triple Sec, a shot of Tequila, a shot of Rum, a splash of fresh lime, a splash of soda and a beer on top. So yummy but wow. Brian said he felt fine until he got up to go to the bathroom. He walked at an angle. We were talking with the bartender a lot and he asked Brian if he wanted one more... (we were already sharing the 3rd one)... Brian said no "no puede caminar". (I can't walk or something like that). Brian tipped him very well as he always does. When Brian went to the bathroom he made us an extra one on the house... let me tell you, I think it had twice the alcohol. We had so much fun laughing and talking and stumbling back to the ship. Thank goodness for the 8:30 dinner. I took a 2 hour nap when we got back!!

The weather was cold on Sunday (a day at sea). It really didn't matter though, we wore sweatshirts and hung out by the pool anyways. Ate all day, gambled and went to the show and dinner in the evening. A very relaxing weekend... for sure.

When we got off the ship, we met Brian's parents and picked the kids up. I had really started missing them in the morning that day. We got the most wonderful welcome home from them. K kept hugging and kissing me, patting my back, touching my face, smiling and wrinkling her little nose up in excitement. It was so cute, she acted like we had been gone forever. M was excited too, Brian's parents had gotten him a little disposable camera to take pictures while we were gone so we could see what they had done. He took a picture of us together before we left for the cruise in front of the car and they got a cute little frame for it and he came running over to us to give it to us when we got home. He must have looked at the picture and showed us the picture at least 10 times on the way home. I looked back once and he was kissing it. He's so lovable.

K and I on Dumbo. She wasn't sure she liked it. It was bumpier than I remember. K wore her Minnie Mouse costume from Halloween. She definitely attracted a lot of attention running around Disney in it.

Grammy, Grandpa and M on Dumbo. What fun they're having.

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K and M looking at the pirate's treasure map on Tom Sawyer's Island. I love this one.

Our 1st day on The Paradise. The drinks were delicious.

Aaaaah, relaxing.

Easter Egg Hunt

Our club had an Easter Egg Hunt today and the Easter Bunny made an appearance. The weather was gorgeous - 70 degrees. M loved it and found 6 or 7 eggs. K wasn't very into it. She really just wanted to play on the playground. She found 2 eggs and loved the treats in them but could care less about looking for any more. She also wouldn't have anything to do with the Easter Bunny. Most of the kids wouldn't. M is really embarrassed in his picture with him... I told him to show all the little kids that it wasn't scary and everyone was watching him. Towards the end one of the ladies running the event came up to us and asked if K found any eggs. I told her she found 1 0r 2 and she gave us the big chick K is carrying as a prize. She carried it around and hugged and kissed on it all day

M on the hunt

K checking out her treats. See the cute chick she got?

M is embarrassed here.

What else is in here?

K picking flowers for me. I finally had to make her stop.

Love this one.

Dyan took this cute one of the girls.

Coloring our eggs

My titles are so creative aren't they? We colored our eggs while my mom was here visiting. Each year the kids enjoy it more. (It's St. Patrick's Day, that's why I'm wearing the green). I don't have time to write much now.

M and I

K and I. Let's just say she wasn't gently when she DROPPED the eggs in there. Is she ever gentle?

She LOVED painting the eggs. She was really concentrating and so serious. She used a lot of paint.

M is tickled about something.

One word... TheraFlu

Well, this nasty flu finally made it's way to me. I'm the last one to get it... unless it starts over again. I'll tell you what... I've been puny(is that a word) all day, coughing and sneezing, congestion. I was searching the house during K's nap for something to take to make me feel better and I found some expired (10/06) TheraFlu. I figured WTH, all it would do is lose it's potency a little. Wow, that stuff works great. This is the best I've felt in 2 days. I'm actually up to meet Dyan at the club for a few beers tonight now.

While K napped M and I watched Tom and Jerry's Shiver Me Whiskers and Scooby Doo upstairs in bed. He knew I didn't feel good. He is so sweet to me. He said "your hands are cold". "Do you want me to warm them up, mommy?". He rubbed my hands and held them until they warmed up. Then while I was trying to sleep he pushed the hair out of my eyes and said "I love you." I've worked the last 3 days and I think he really missed me. He told me about 10 times he loved me up there. There is nothing like the feeling of being a Mommy. K has been very sweet also. She is following me around the house and says "hug" or "kiss". I missed them both.

Will write more later... I have a few pictures to post also of us coloring easter eggs a few days ago.

Cute picture of K

My wonderful babysitter (and adopted family member) Willy took this photo of K on the day of her Valentine's Day party. Thank you Willy for being so wonderful and for always being there for me when I need you. Without you, I don't know what I would have done! I love the cute expression on her face. This is totally her.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I was too tired last night to blog. We went to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Sacramento. Dyan and Macy went with us. The kids had a blast. We found the perfect spot where the kids had a little room to run around. At one point, all three kids were dancing to a marching band. K refused to wear the hat or shamrock sticker. We had a great time.

A family picture... we were all saying Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Brian, myself, Dyan and Monte went to the club on Friday night for green beer and a traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner. I love this picture of Dyan and I. We had a nice time. I realized I don't like Cornbeef or Cabbage. The cornbeef was so salty. Yuck.

Discovery Kingdom

Saturday morning my mom came up here and we decided to go to Discovery Kingdom. We took a really big chance because there was a 70% change of thunderstorms and showers. The sky was so blue and pretty that we decided we wouldn't tell the kids and would drive there and if it looked bad we would go to plan B which we weren't sure of yet. We got there and it was a little chilly but blue skies and almost completely empty. It was perfect! We never waited in line for a ride... I mean never. We walked right on and most of the time, we were the only ones on it. I had no idea they had so many things for the kids to do. M like the Shouka the Whale show the most but I think K likes the Dolphin show. M and K both liked the new Thomas the Train Town. We had a blast. Stayed until about 4:00 when were completely pooped, had a funnel cake and left. The kids couldn't have been better the entire time there either. I asked K and M to get in the stroller and THEY DID, every time. It was amazing. I hope they are that good at Disneyland. My camera battery died about 3 hrs into the day... I was so sad. I had camera withdrawal. Of course, right after my camera died we went into the butterfly exhibit where the most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen are just flying all around you and sometimes they even land on you. The pictures would have been just awesome. We hadn't really planned to go because of the weather so I wasn't prepared! There's always next time.

My mom stayed all weekend and went home this afternoon. We hung out at home most of the day on Sunday. It was so windy outside. I took the kids to a birthday party in the afternoon and my mom stayed home and did my laundry. I love my mom!

I love this one of M. He ate the whole corn dog!

K NOT eating lunch. She never eats anymore... grrgh.

If only K were looking. The Bertie the Bus ride in Thomas Town.

Will post more later. We colored easter eggs this morning and I have some pictures to post. We're going to the St. Patrick's Day parade on Old Sac tonight. Should be fun.