Final vacation pics

Pics from our visit to the Long Beach aquarium, Santa Monica and the LA Zoo. In the 2nd and 3rd photos, Mike and the girls are petting sharks. Great times, good memories but we're all happy to be back in Kodiak. Back home. -R

A few more vacation pics

Yet more pics. Cece in Puerto Vallarta along their boardwalk (beautiful beach, water, sculptures), Sophie and Cece with Pluto (Sophie's favorite disney character), Cece's cool dance moves at a kid dance party (Mike taught her everything she knows), Cece and Sophie with Ariel, Sophie with a new toy at the pirate party and a few more statues in Puerto Vallarta.

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