More vacation pics

I'm feeling the need to wrap up posting pics of our vacation...and then I can post the latest (or rather our recovery) on our raw food 3-day detox diet and other family events.

So to recap, on 1/6 we flew to Anchorage to Portland then LA in an agonizingly long day. Flying from AK and then with children is only for the brave of heart and only to be attempted on a rare occasion. Upon arriving in LA after ~15 hrs of travel, we dragged our weary selves to our hotel. We enjoyed a day in Long Beach and at a local walk-in clinic (Sophie was refusing the meds her Dr prescribed on Thurs. for a skin problem). That night after enjoying a greek restaurant and Boston's pizza, Cece twisted her ankle. In the morning, a few hours before our scheduled cruise boarding, I took Cece to a local ER as she had a lump on the outside of her ankle and limping painfully. Luckily, Cece had no fracture and was back to normal in a day or two.

We eagerly boarded our boat on Sunday and so our cruise began. Nice people, good service, terrible GF food, and okay activities for children. We had a one day stop in Puerto Vallarta and then 1 and 1/2 days in Cabo San Lucas. Mike went on a fishing charter and Cece had a dolphin encounter. After our cruise, we spent a day around LA (the zoo, a raw food restaurant and then Santa Monica) before the long flights back to Kodiak. Good break from the cold in AK but we're now happy to be back home in Kodiak.

Pics above include the girls posing with a macaw in Puerto Vallarta, dinner, Sophie in the Oceanear's Club, and Cece lounging on our small deck 2 minutes after we got to our cabin.

Disney Cruise 1/2012

We've recently returned from a family vacation and Disney Cruise. So much to tell and so little time- highlights included Cece's dolphin encounter, Santa Monica, trip to a zoo, holding a baby tiger, PF Changs GF beef and broccoli, the pool at night and family time. Low points were 2 long days of flights, a trip to a walk-in LA medical clinic, visit to an ER in LA (everyone's fine now), and disappointing food on the boat. But all-in-all it was a great get-away and we're happy to be home. More pics to follow. -R

Christmas

Cece's Christmas cake

Well the deed is done and Cece has her Jesus's Birthday Cake for school today. After my first attempt came out like a bloody zombie in a coffin, I scraped off the icing and tried to convince my screaming- crying child that just the words would be enough...even pretty. But I could not stand any more crying and my second attempt stopped the tears and brought out her smile again. (pics include the final cake, my first attempt and the girls with 'Santa' last weekend.) -R

Ol' Christmas Tree

Our family Christmas tree (can you tell it was pulled over 2 days ago?), Sophie's Christmas tree which she's making with McKenzie (the reindeer is her hand, the lights she made with her finger paint and the angel is her hands and feet) and Cece's Christmas tree which she's making at school. Not sure we'll make it to outdoor lights but we're definitely getting in the spirit of the season. Next wk Cece and I will make a birthday cake for Jesus (gluten-free) to take to her Christmas party. Cece has asked that we draw Jesus and a dog on the cake :) -R

Gobble gobble

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends. Hope this finds everyone happy, healthy and full. A few pics from our Thanksgiving...Mike getting the turkey ready, Sophie in a new winter hat, Cece and Sophie pose by Sophie's work of art (the turkey body made by her feet and the feathers were hand prints...are orchestrated by her wonderful teacher and nanny- McKenzie, pic of Sophie after foot painting, and a gluten-free carrot cake made for T-day. Gobble, gobble. -R

Just a few pics before we get the girls down for bed tonight. Halloween (Cece as a lady bug and Sophie as a puppy), Sophie and Emma cuddling, Cece and Sophie playing with a new toy. -R