Disney Day 2

Well, the rain from day 1 continued most of day 2 but that didn't stop us.  We got up and headed to Animal Kingdom.  Due to the rain, we started at the bug show, then waited for Mickey and Minnie.

Safari Mickey and Minnie were thrilled to see Kate. 

Then she and Daddy and Kate-O rose Kali River Rapids.  I sat this out with Ellen and Jim due to being 19 weeks pregnant.  However, after the ride, we decided it was okay for me to ride (!) and we went back later on all together. 

Lots of fun!  Then we walked around some, David and Kate-O rode Mt. Everest while the rest of us watched a fun bird show. 

We had reservations at Donald's Tusker House.  While we waited to be called, Kate and Granddaddy practiced their roars.

 It was fun because the buffet (as most of the character meals were) was Indian and African cuisine.  I enjoyed this one a lot. 

Kate had fun meeting Donald, Daisy,

Mickey, and Goofy.  She even took part in a musical parade.  Afterwards, we went on a safari

and through a rainforest where I was eaten by a fossil. 

Kate got to play a traditional African game, which I played as a child as well. 

Our next fast pass was for Finding Nemo.  Kate fell asleep inside but only napped for about 20 minutes.

  We did a few more kiddie rides before heading to the front to find Pocahontas (and she and Kate became FAST friends!). 

While waiting for her, we found another Kato!!! 

Kate also learned about flamingos - this is how they sleep! 

Then it was off to our Character dinner where we got to meet Cinderella,

the step-sisters,

step-mother

and Prince Charming.  Kate was definitely smitten by Prince Charming! 

On the way in, she had picked up a browning flower from the ground.  She decided that she wanted to give it to Cinderella.  It was so sweet and Cinderella found it funny and cute that Kate picked it up off the ground for her. 

Yet another fun day at Disney!

Disney - Day 1

In May, David's parents took us all to Disneyworld.  We kept it a surprise from Kate until we picked her up from daycare to go to the airport because we would have NEVER heard the end of it if we had told her earlier!  It was great.  This was the video of us telling her:

For the longest time, she was more excited about going on the airplane.  She did great!  Of course, she told us her favorite part about the plane was the snack.  Go figure!  We ride in an airplane and her favorite part is the pretzels and peanuts.  Once we got there, we had a long bus ride to the hotel - during which Kate fell asleep.  This girl was OUT!  We ate and went to bed in preparation for the next day.

The first day, we went to Magic Kingdom.  This was a very full day!

We started off seeing Goofy,

then Mickey,

then Mary Poppins (who Kate, surprisingly said was her favorite for the longest time).

David, Kate, Stephanie (Kate-o), and Ellen (Grammy) rode the teacups.

Then we went to meet Merida.

Later that day, we were scheduled to go to Bibity Bobity Boutique.  Let me just say that Kate LOVED it!

  Kate-o got her a new princess outfit, which ended up being midriff showing to my chagrin.  On the hanger it looked like it was one piece.  Then when Kate was getting dressed I saw how it really was.  Alas...we got some pins and pinned it up!

I think Kate had fun but she looked a little serious the whole time.  There's my little Jasmine.

By this time it had started raining.  Everyone else went to some sort of ride while I watched the stroller.  Then we went to Cinderella's castle for lunch.

Kate was just amazed at all the princesses.  Daddy was amazed at his gluten free roll!!!!

We saw Ariel,

Sleeping Beauty,

Snow White

and Jasmine!

At the end of the meal, Kate got an option of apples or ice cream.  I was shocked when she chose apples.  In the end, it turns out that she thought they were just asking if she wanted apples...she thought she was getting both! 

Then we went to Belle's Enchanted Tales.  We had a fast pass for this, which was great.  Kate was chosen to be the beast...and she did a GREAT job!

She got to roar at Belle...and in the end, got to dance with her.  What a fun experience for her...and made this Mama very happy!

We met more princesses when we saw Rapunzel and Cinderella.  Kate was telling us this was "the best day ever" right as we went to Rapunzel.  Since that is one of the lines from Tangled, we told her to tell Rapunzel.  I'm not sure she got the reference but it was cute.

We didn't watch any parades this day.  Just rode The Haunted Mansion and then did supper.  On the way out, we were able to meet Tiana and her prince Naveen.

Kate asked her what it was like to kiss a frog. Naveen thought it was funny until Tiana said it was a little sticky and salty.

Ha!  Fun day!  It did rain, but that made the lines shorter.  The next day, we did Animal Kingdom...

Oatmeal Cookies

 For some reason, I feel constrained by the descriptor "gluten free."  I don't feel like I can be as creative.  So, I kind of got stuck doing chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter (because there are lots of flourless versions of that) cookies.  However, one day, David requested oatmeal.  I was surprised but that's what he wanted.  

Now, oats are typically gluten free but I guess can't be guaranteed gluten free due to processing.  We don't buy special oats but Chex now has a gluten free version that, I think, is a little less expensive than your typical gluten free oats.  Anyway, I found this recipe and it turned out great.  They were nice and puffy.  David said they were "really good."  Try them out for yourself!

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies adapted from Mom, What's for Dinner
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups multipurpose Gluten Free Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chocolate chip



Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla an beat until well blended.
Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix well.
Add oats and mix well, if you are choosing to add raisins or chocolate chips, add them now.

Scoop your dough onto a pre-heated baking stone prepared with parchment paper.
Bake 10-12 minutes. 
Makes about 4 dozen.

Spinach and Chicken Penne

David really enjoys pasta dishes but being gluten free makes that....different.  There are actually a lot of gluten free pasta options. 

For me the hardest to find is lasagna...but I have found it and you can't tell any difference...even my dad says so!  Anyway, back in April I made a penne chicken dish.  Y'all, it's been so long I can't exactly remember what I did but I'm pretty sure it was easy and something like this.  We all enjoyed it, especially David and Kate!

Gluten Free Chicken and Cheese Penne
1 rotisserie chicken
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with peppers
1 cup spinach
1 small bag penne pasta, cook as instructed (I eyeballed this...do as much as you like more or less to taste
cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cook pasta per instructions.  Take meat off chicken in small, rough pieces.  Stir chicken, pasta, spinach, tomatoes and 1/2 cup cheese (more or less) together and pace in a casserole dish.  Sprinkle top with cheese  1/2-1cup.  Bake in oven until bubbly.  Enjoy!

Newborn photos

Sorry for my absence.  Taking care of Caleb has seriously kept me from doing much else.  I've really loved this time with him and wouldn't trade it.  I'm a little ready for a schedule but don't want to leave him.  Can't I just take him with me to work?

When Caleb was 6 days old, the wonderful Emily Brandt came to our house to do newborn photos.  Oh, how I love them!  At first, Caleb wouldn't go to sleep and he refused to lie on his tummy (which he continues to do making tummy time fussy time!).  She kept saying, however, that he had great awake eyes...so we just went with it!

It's really neat to watch a newborn session.  There is definitely an art to it.  Lots of pillows, blankets, heating pad, heaters, and other props.  She brought some hats, blankets, boxes, and crowns.

 I just had a sweet gown I wanted him to wear,

an Alabama helmet hat,

 and a blanket that my grandmother made for me when I was a baby.  We were able to use it all for some wonderful shots.

We even got to use the project I made for Caleb's room!

Of course, Kate got in on the action, too.  Emily said she needs her to be her model!  Ha! 

She kept wanting to help which made her upset because we just needed quiet, but she loves Caleb so much she just wants to be near him, touch him, and watch him!  So blessed!

  David got her dressed after picking her up from school; then he played with her outside.  He was really tired after but I appreciated it a lot!  (Kate loves her Daddy, too!)

This whole time has been a learning experience for me.  It might drive us crazy sometimes,

but David has been great to help me and be sure I get some relaxation time.  My hero!

We got some great family pictures.  Then Emily waited and waited and waited...and we finally got it.  A smile!!!

With our package, we get a jump drive with the edited images and the copyright to print and web publish the photos.  I love that we can order however I want. 

Emily will be coming back when Caleb is 6 months old.  I can't wait!!!  If you need a photographer in MS who is great and reasonably priced, give Emily a call at ekb Photography.  She's great with kids, too...Kate loves her because she brings a harmonica!

Thanks for capturing our family, Emily!