Saturday, October 31, 2009

Thursday - Hollywood Studios and Blizzard Beach

Thursday morning was Daddy's second morning of golf, so we went with Aunt Tarah, the boys and cousin Kami to Hollywood studios. There is not a lot of rides for the little ones, but there are some really cute shows. We went to the Playhouse Disney Show and it was a hit. Rylee was so excited to see all the characters from her favorite show, she was so entertained. After the show we just walked around and looked at shops for a bit then headed back to meet the Daddies for lunch.
It was a really hot day, so after lunch we went with Bryson and Grandma and Grandpa to the water park. Rylee and Bryson loved the big family raft ride and all of the toddler slides in the kids area. Daddy and I went and did the big drop slide, and had a fun time.
Dinner on Thursday was at Chef Mickey's, and again we had to deal with characters but she did much better than any other night. The kids all got to meet, Donald, Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, and Pluto.

Wednesday - Lots of Rides

Wednesday morning Daddy went golfing with Uncle Travis, Grandma and Grandpa, and Rylee and Mommy went to Magic Kingdom with Uncle Jason, Aunt Heather, Kami and Wyatt. Before 1:00 we had gone on 15 or more rides, thanks to Uncle Jason. I know for sure we hit Dumbo, Snow White twice, Peter Pan twice, Winnie the Pooh twice, It's a Small World twice, The Goofy Coaster, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, Pirates, and a few I can't remember.
One of the funniest things that Rylee said this trip was on Small World. While we were riding the ride once she started leaning out of the boat and touching the water. I quickly snatched her up and pulled her back to the middle of the boat and asked her what she was doing. She looked at me and very seriously told me, "She was trying to get all the money out!" On the ride people throw money into the water and make wishes, so there is a lot of change in the water, and my smart kiddo was going to get it all out!!
Dinner on Wednesday was at Epcot at The Coral Reef Restaurant. For those of you who ever watched Full House, it is the restaurant the Jesse and Joey were scuba diving in while Danny had dinner with his girlfriend, yes I know I am a nerd! The restaurant is built around an aquarium and we had front row seats to the aquarium. We saw a huge sea turtle, sharks and lots of other fish, even the fish that Daddy ate for dinner was swimming in the tank.
After dinner we headed back over to Magic Kingdom with Rylee and she got to go on a lot more rides and watch the fireworks show before we called it a night.

Rylee on Small World

Rylee and Papa at dinner

Tuesday at Disney World

Tuesday morning started bright and early so we could go to Breakfast with Mickey. Breakfast did not start until 8:30, so normally that is not too early, but we were up late and still trying to adjust to the time change so it felt early (check out Rylee's yawn in the group picture). Rylee still did not like the characters at breakfast, so while they were visiting the table Daddy took her on a walk. The cousins loved the characters and got to see Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch while we were at breakfast. After breakfast we went to Magic Kingdom with all the cousins. Rylee did three or four rides that morning before it was time to head back for a much needed nap.
After we woke up from nap time, Matt and I thought it would be fun to go shopping at Downtown Disney for the afternoon. There are some really fun stores that Rylee got to play Mr. Potato Head, My Little Ponies, Legos, and just look at all the fun Disney stuff, but she informed us when we were done that she did not have fun. Matt and I asked her if she had a fun afternoon and she looked at us completely serious and said, "No, I had to go to stores!" I asked her what she wanted to do and she said, "Go on rides," so on Wednesday we did as many rides as we could in that one day.

Family Picture at Breakfast with Mickey

Grandma, Grandpa, Bryson, Trevor, Kami and Alyssa

Daddy and Rylee

Grandma and Rylee at Magic Kingdom

Friday, October 30, 2009

Sleeping Babies

Earlier today Rylee was playing babies while Caity and I were looking at a video Matt made of Rylee on the computer. When we were ready to go downstairs, we were informed that we could not go downstairs because the babies were sleeping. I did not understand why we could not go down the stairs until I got to them and looked down. She had lined her babies up down the stairs and told us we had to be quiet and walk the right side of the stairs - what a nut!

Party Number 3 - Daddy's Office

Every year we get to go trick-or-treating at Daddy's office, and it is always so much fun. Rylee loves to see all of Daddy's co-workers and of course Daddy. Nolan was a hit this year, because some people have not seen him since he was about 3 months and now he is enormous. Rylee came away with an entire bag of candy that she couldn't wait to examine what she got and start eating. I think she came away with more candy than most kids because all of Daddy's friends gave her humungous handfulls because she was so cute!

Daddy and the kids
(he couldn't hold Rye or else he would be COVERED in glitter)

Digging for something good
(she came out with a Granola Bar, good girl)

Party Number 2 - My Gym

My Gym does an open house for Halloween where the public and members are invited to come, play and go trick-or-treating at neighboring businesses. There was an amazing number of kids that showed up, and it was a little overwhelming for Rylee and Nolan, so we did not stay long. The kids got to see their favorite teachers, Miss Brittney and Miss Chelsea, and Rylee got to play with Maddi, then we headed to Daddy's office for more trick-or-treating.

Waiting to go in

Doing Circle Time with Miss Easter

Miss Brittney, Miss Chelsea and the kids

Nolan and Miss Chelsea

Rylee and Maddi

Party Number 1 Today

Our dear friends across the street invited us to a little munchkin Halloween party this morning, and it was a blast. The kids played games, sang songs, painted pumpkins, went on a scavenger hunt, and frosted cookies. Rylee and I went to the party and Nolan got to stay at the house and play with Caity and her friend Karah. Since Nolan was not going and I told Rylee she could go as Tinkerbell instead of Cinderella if she wanted, and she informed me she wanted to go as Mulan. Luckily, Grandma and Granna had made her a dress up outfit last year for Christmas that was perfect for a Mulan costume, so she got to be Mulan for the party. While frosting cookies I caught her with a box of Rieces Pieces hidden between her legs and eating them by the handful, sneaky little girl. Needless to say when we came home she ran around the family room in circles screaming not stop for about forty minutes, it was great entertainment for Caity and I.
*The first picture in the slide show has a funny coloring because Rylee pushed a few buttons and changed a setting, so I got it fixed a little later.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Trunk-or-Treat

Last night was our ward's Trunk-or-Treat, and Rylee was most excited to go and wear her costume. I wasn't sure how Nolan was going to do with his, but he looked so cute and loved it. Thank you Grandma Michelle for his cute "Gus-Gus" outfit. After I got the two of them dressed and ready we headed over to the Church to quickly go around and get candy, and then get inside because it was freezing. Last night was the first of many Halloween Parties that we have this week, and I already have glitter all over my house and car from Cinderella.

Nolan in his mouse costume

Rylee in her Cinderella Costume

The two of them together

Trunk-or-Treating

Silly Daddy

Daddy is the best at coming up with silly games that make Rylee laugh. She thinks Daddy is the most funny person alive, I don't even compare. We came back to the hotel on Tuesday afternoon for Rylee to take a nap, but our room was being cleaned so we had a picnic outside on the bench. While eating lunch Daddy came up with a fun game and Rylee loved it. He would drop the lid of his drink, Rylee would say "oops," and then he would pretend that he could not pick it up.

Nolan's 9 Month (really 10 Month) Check Up


Nolan had his 9 Month Check Up yesterday and he is doing great. He is a month late on his check ups because of his surgery, but no big deal. He was 22 1/2 pounds (62nd percentile) and 28 1/2 inches (40th percentile). There were no scheduled vaccines at his check up but he did get his flu shot, but he did great. The nurse stuck his leg and he looked at it like 'that's not so bad' and never even cried. Doctor Mumford said he is doing great and that he could tell by looking at Nolan that he was a good eater.
Things Nolan is doing:
- crawling for real (no more scoot)
- plays "so big"
- gives high 5's
- says 'Da-da' and "rye-rye"
- pulls up on everything
- walks behind toy walkers
- gives the best slobbery kisses
- puts everything in his mouth
- loves to flick the door stops
- eats anything you put in front of him
- follows his sister around everywhere
- hates to get dressed and have his diaper changed

When we left Texas the other day I told Grandma that we will see her again when Nolan is 1, and I cannot believe that is less than 2 months away.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Rylee's School Picture

A few weeks ago Rylee took her first school picture, and I must say that it turned out better than any school picture that I ever took. With her school picture she also got her first class picture. She has enjoyed telling me her friends names, but the funny part is she only knows the names of the boys in her class. You can point to any boy and she can tell you their name, but she can only name one of the six other girls - should we be worried??

Dinner with Cinderella

On Monday night we had dinner in Cinderella's Castle and got to meet Cinderella herself. Rylee was very excited to meet her, show off her shirt, and to tell Cinderella that she was going to be her for Halloween. Pictures were a bit chaotic to get everyone in the shot and looking at the same time, but I think the shot is pretty good. After pictures we went upstairs for dinner, which was delicious.
During dinner the Fairy Godmother and two mice come out and dance and do a show, well that did not go over so well with Rylee. She saw the mice come out and kept asking me to "go up there!" I thought she was wanting to go closer to the mice, and explained they would come by us soon we did not need to move. Well what she was really saying was that she wanted to go out the door and not see the mice, oops. The mice got near us and she freaked out, to put it lightly. The Maitre D came over and gave her extra toys and tried to help make her happy, but there was no use, the only thing that was going to make her happy was for the mice to leave. They caught on and did not come by our table again, but the damage was done. She did not settle until the show, which was a cute show, was over. I snapped a shot of her right as the mice were coming in our direction, and I think it sums up her feelings of the mice (sorry about the chewed up nugget in her mouth).

Cinderella and Rylee

Cinderella, Alyssa, Kami and Rylee

The entire Family (I miss all of you!)

The Melt Down

Meeting Tinkerbell

We went on a few rides once we got to Magic Kingdom, but Rylee really wanted to meet Tinkerbell so we headed back to meet her. We were a little nervous about how it would go after the Winnie the Pooh experience but she did great. She met Tinkerbell and two of her Fairy Friends, Silver Mist and Rosetta. Rylee was a little nervous at first but quickly warmed up to the fairies. She met Silver Mist first, but kept staring over at Tinkerbell. When it was her turn to meet Tinkerbell she was fascinated by her glitter and her costume. She kept rubbing the plastic glitter strap that held Tinkerbell's dress up, just mesmerized. After Tinkerbell she met Rosetta, but kept looking back and smiling at Tinkerbell. I am really glad she enjoyed it, because it was the longest line we waited in all week.

Rylee and Silver Mist

Rylee examining Tinkerbell's Outfit

Rylee and Tinkerbell

Rylee and Rosetta

Pictures at the Front of Magic Kingdom

When we got to Magic Kingdom we decided to take the classic family pictures at the front of the park. It was really fun being there in October because the entire park was decorated for Halloween, but not scary decorations cute, fun decorations!

Rylee with the Pumpkins in the Background

Rylee and Daddy

Rylee and Mommy

Monday at Animal Kingdom

We had all agreed to wake up early on Monday morning and meet at 7:30 to take the bus to Animal Kingdom, well we must have forgotten to tell Rylee because she did not wake up until we woke her at 9:45! She was still a bit tired from the plane and a really fun day on Monday, so we met up with everyone at the park.
Animal Kingdom has some really fun rides, but Rye is a little short for most of them. Daddy and I got to enjoy the Mount Everest Expedition ride which was really fun, and Rylee went on the Triceratops ride, which is just like Dumbo. She also got to play with her cousins a lot and hang out with them, plus there were carnival games and she actually won a prize.
I tried to take her to meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eyore, but it did not go over very well. She was really excited about it as we walked down to meet them and then as soon as she saw them she froze. I turned her around and tried to explain it was okay we would just take a picture with them, but she still wasn't having it. Winnie the Pooh snuck up to meet her, but she did not enjoy that at all. This was our first and last character experience for the trip!
We spent most of the morning at Animal Kingdom and had lunch there and then we headed over to Magic Kingdom again for some more rides and dinner with Cinderella.

Up and ready to go to the park!

Rylee and Bryson hanging out while the adults went on a ride

Playing her Carnival Game

Attempting to meet Winnie the Pooh

Rylee, Daddy and her Prize for winning the game

Sunday at Disney World

Nolan and I flew on a different flight than Matt and Rylee, so that I could drop Nolan off at Grandma Kathi's and then the three of us met up with my family at the hotel at Disney World. We started the trip off at Magic Kingdom and it was so fun. The day was a little chilly, sort of caught all of us off guard, but luckily we had packed jackets and it warmed up at the week went on.
We met up with everyone over at the park because Rye and Matt got in after midnight and the two of them were sleeping. Everyone was so excited to see Rylee, which is so fun for her. She is the only cousin that does not live by everyone else, so it is fun for her too see everyone and visa versa.
The first ride we went on was The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and it was a hit. From there we headed over to Dumbo and the Carousel, and then onto many more the rest of the day. We consider ourselves lucky that Uncle Jason's leg was still in a cast, because we got to cut to the front of every line, he might not be as excited as we were about this!
The day ended with the first of many delicious buffet dinners, and Rylee going back to the hotel with Grandma and Papa early to play with them.

Rylee and Kami waiting for the bus

Rylee and Daddy

Rylee and Papa on Dumbo together

Aunt Heather, Wyatt, Rylee and Mommy

Rylee and Mommy on the Carousel

Daddy, Rylee and Uncle Jason on the Tea Cups

Aunt Tarah, Bryson, Trevor, Uncle Jason,
Papa and Rylee on the Goofy Coaster

Rylee and Kami on the bus

Everyone wanting to sit with Papa

Saturday, October 17, 2009

And We're Off


This trip has been planned for what seems like forever, but I cannot believe that it is already here. I hope to post while we are on our trip, but if not I will get pictures up as soon as I can after we get home. Grandma Kathi's blog may have some cute Nolan updates, so check it out while we are gone.