This Week in Review

"Look how strong I am!"

I got back from Red Bluff Tuesday afternoon and we've been going, going, going ever since seeing friends, hanging out at home (Wednesday we changed from one pair of PJ's to the next even though we walked downtown twice :) and working a little bit. The girls have been a lot of fun- Francie is making up all kinds of stories about Moo Doo Don and Maisie is on the verge of talking, she blurts out full sentences of jibberish and every third word is somewhat understandable :)

We've been working on the big task of picking Halloween costumes- Francie's first year to make her own decision :) here they are trying out a few costume ideas (we ordered a bunch of new ones for Brilliant Babies)

We played in the front yard with Dad- the girls love to hide in "the jungle" (and don't worry that's a 'fake' foam pumpkin Maisie is weightlifting in the first pic)

Emmy babysat one night so Heff and I could go out to dinner at Sundance (thanks EM!) and gave the girls a shower in the bath

Jannie and the girls DTLA

Walking Sophie to breakfast at Rick's

Baby Lucy and Emily met us there! Francie asked if Lucy "woke up yet"

Lucy!

We been playing lots and lots of lego's. Francie builds these symmetrical shapes that all line up- a girl after her mom's heart ;)

Work has been busy at Academic Trainers giving the center our yearly back-to-school remodel/spruce up! A few trips to Ikea, new iMacs and donating 16 old computers and a million cords and wires to an MA program that gives them to kids who don't have a computer at home. Glad someone can use them

Shopping on the Cruz- we still spend half our time downtown Menlo Park despite our newfound love of DTLA :)

Meeting Renee at Stack's for breakfast with the girls and Emmy, Jannie brought her a wedding gift

Emmy and Maisie with a Jannie kiss on her cheek

and the most exciting news ever- Francie can get herself into her carseat now, buckles and all!! I anticipate this will come in handy when I have three to get in and out of carseats :)

Francie's First Pedicure

We told Francie she had to wait until she was three to get a pedicure with mom and she didn't forget! The other night Heff came home from work and told me I should go get a pedicure or something (must have been a long day :) and Francie goes "wait... I'M THREE!!! I get to go with you!!!" We didn't go that night but last Friday afternoon Jannie and I took her to Pinkies DTLA (Downtown Los Altos ;) for their signature Princess Pedicure which includes a crown and rhinestone flowers. They only had room for one person so Jannie and I sat on stools and watched her royal heiness :) You could tell she thought she was such a big girl and loved every minute.

"pick a color"

She talked the lady's ear off... "my sister, yeah her name is Maisie. She copies like, EVERYTHING, I do. Yeah, cause I'm like THREE and she is only one."

Checking everything out

had a hard time staying still for the paint part- toes are ticklish

cute little princess piggies!

Baby Oliver Arrives 10-11-10

Welcome Baby Oliver Donald Doverspike!!!

I was lucky enough to hang out in the hospital today awaiting the birth of Baby Doverspike and got to meet him just after he made his appearance. He is adorable! Kat started having contractions at 2:30am last night and got to the hospital at 6am already 4-5cm. I got her text from the hospital around 8:30am and got the girls up, fed, dressed and ready quicker than ever :) Heff had gone into work early so he came home to gas up the truck, take the girls and send me on up to Red Bluff for Baby Day! I got to the hospital at 1:30pm and Kat was happy with the epidural and almost 10cm.

Dad-to-Be Donald waiting by his wife's side

Kat just resting and watching those contractions on the screen

Last photo as a family of two

ok maybe one more ;) both a little tired but very excited

waiting for baby

we sat in the waiting area while Kat was pushing- Donald came out to give us an update! We started a pool on when the baby would arrive and if we had a boy or a girl joining the family. After about two hours we were pacing about and ready for the big news!

Oma was in helping push for almost three hours! She sent us updates via text and then... It's a BOY!!!!

Brand New Baby!!

Meeting his mom ~ she was such a trooper, smiling and happy during labor (especially after that epidural :) and 2+ hours of pushing!

He's a big little guy! 8 pounds 12 ounces and 21 inches long

and big feet, big hands too

getting weighed for the first time

Momma Kat and her Doctor

What a cute little guy

Nurses cleaning him up and checking him out (Donald owes Tracy in the Halloween shirt a big thank you ;)

Already an old soul

Auntie Maureen gets a look at him

Oliver Donald Doverspike - named after his great-grandfather Oliver Donald Hotchkiss

The Ninth Heffernan cousin to join the mix and trying to even the score a bit making it 3 boys and 6 girls!

Donald and a pediatrician check him over

He was so mellow he hardly cried all afternoon

check out the hair!

it's long and light blond/red/brown - no clue where that came from!

the new happy family!! I am sooo excited for them :)

Looking up at his Daddy

Looks pretty perfect

I loved this white board... "Special needs ~ Have Baby." check. And Kat didn't get 10-10-10 but 10-11-10 is pretty close and turned out to be a great day to have a baby!

what a cutie

Probably going to be a tall boy if he got some Heffernan genes!

Happy Mom

Kat looks beautiful as a mom and was a natural - as expected!

And Donald is as proud as can be

Oliver is a thumb sucker I think!

The Doverspikes drove down from Oregon to meet their first grandchild. It's all boys on this family!

First bath-

and had to break out the hair brush

All clean.

Oliver has been was wide awake, very alert, calm and content since he was born at 5:05pm (only 2 hours old here!)

so handsome

Welcome to the world Oliver Donald - you are a lucky little guy :)

It's New Baby Day!!!

(thanks for the placeholder picture Lucy L.:)

Aunt Kat is in labor and at the hospital in Red Bluff!!! (The picture above was my friend Emily's brand new baby Lucy at 6 hours old- I was at the hospital for my ultrasound and got to meet her!) Kat and Donald were due 10-4-10 and hoping for a 10-10-10 birthdate but it looks like this baby liked 10-11-10 even better!! Uncle Mark was joking this morning on an email train he was glad Kat wasn't waiting for 11-11-11 to have this baby. Come on Baby Doverspike, sending you lots of love Kat and Donald!!

Tate Turns Five

Last Saturday we went back to our old stomping grounds for Tate's Fifth birthday party. It was fun to see all of our old neighbors and friends- the only thing that made not just getting to walk over bearable was that we drove over in the Troopy's maiden family voyage!

Big kids in the bounce house

Practicing to follow in Jannie's footsteps? "The exits are located to the rear of the teeter-totter."

I see you Maisie :)

Francie and her buddy EK

still bouncing

Francie and EK trying to figure out how to make this thing work...

Talan came to save the day

Tristan graciously letting Maisie on her John Deere

Happy Birthday Tate!

Pinata time!!

The shades in the favor bags were a big hit

and candy makes everybody happy

time for cake.... and what a cool one!

Happy Birthday to Tate

BIG slices for the big girls

Maisie not understanding why she can't fit IN the car with Thatcher

Jess and Ruby- we miss you neighbors!

Heading home in the troopy- all set up with new race-car-esq Britax carseats on the new race car seats in the back

Maisie LOVES to sit, play, ride or just hang out in the Troopy.

and Francie thinks it's pretty cool too :)

Check Ups

We took the girls in this afternoon for their 3 year and 18 month check ups with Dr Cisco. They were healthy and happy with nothing major to report. They both got two shots- Maisie barely cried and was more interested in the bumble gum dum-dum she got to suck on but Francie knew this drill and had to be held down before the shots (in her arm now that she is a big girl- ouch!) but was fine afterwards and said "well I was kinda brave, I only cried for a little bit." Dr Cisco warned us Francie will probably love having a new baby in the house but Maisie might not be so keen on it :) Besides birth order, what tipped him off? Her little Diva personality!?

Dr Cisco said Maisie is still "lean and lanky"
Height: 34 inches ~ 99th percentile
Weight: 23 pounds ~ 30th percentile

and that Francie is "tall and sturdy" ;)
Height: 40.5 inches ~ 97th percentile
Weight: 38 pounds ~ 90th percentile

She's just glad she passed that 40 inches mark in time for her trip to Disneyland so she could go on Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad (40 inches min) with her cousins. Dr. Cisco is a Disneyland/world fan with his grandkids and was a little shocked Francie told him these were her favorite rides!

*******

Then I went to the doctor to get Baby Heff #3 checked out this afternoon. (good thing no one has noticed the "Number Three" ultrasound picture on my sidebar is actually Maisie, better change that quick ;) We got the results from the neucal translucency tests and the 20 week ultrasound- we are so thankful that everything is looking great. No previa this time and the baby is growing just like it should, hopefully we will be able to go for another VBAC. Heartbeat was 147. We are 22 weeks tomorrow!

*and for the record - I didn't take any pictures today but the one above was from early last week- I took a FALL at Disneyland, yup in the middle of downtown Disney when Francie clotheslined my ankles while holding my hand- so I had to get the baby checked out at L&D when I got back to be safe. Jannie went with me thank goodness and we waited and waited and when they finally came in to do a quick ultrasound
Francie said: "I have a baby in my belly too!"
Dr: "Oh you do? Then I can check yours too?"
Francie: looking skeptical... "Noooo, I need a KID doctor!"
Dr: "Ohhh, ok well you let me know when I'm done with your mom."

Francie when I'm done: "Ok check mine."
- he actually gooped her belly up and scanned it and everything- hope we don't get a bill for double duty!
Dr: "Well I see your lunch in there!"

But she was sooo proud to tell everyone she got her baby checked out too :)

Don't Be Scared...

The girls and I decorated for Halloween!! October might be my favorite month and I LOVE Halloween. I dug up all the decorations from our Witches' Night Out party last year and we went to town. I have heard Halloween is a big deal on our street- just trying to fit in as the new kids on the block!

Loses a little of the effect with the flash but hard to tell without

Then last night the girls and I made the most outrageously-easy, outrageously-delish Pumpkin Muffins. We took a can of pumpkin puree... a box of cake mix... and mixed them. That's it! Well, and a few shakes of cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar on top. We took them out a little underdone and smothered in butter right before bed. YUM.

and not so spooky but Sunday while the girls napped Heff and I finally got around to planting in front of the fence we put up. It was hard work with Magnolia roots right under the surface but looks finished now.

And we got our pumpkins at a little mini pumpkin patch at Summerwinds Nursery where we got our plants. Cheapest pumpkins around if anyone is looking! (speaking of- no looking at the camera love for me)

all fits in the back of the Troopy!

Art Morning

A few weeks ago (okay it was August- just realized I never posted this!) our friends surprised us in our PJ's in the morning and kidnapped us to go over their their house for some painting, playdough and art on a sunny morning. The kids were BY CHANCE (I swear!) all in coordinating star PJ's!

Checking out their neighborhood ride!

"This playdough stuff is awesome!"

Emily and Kelly were up at their house too- we compared belly sizes. 30-something weeks, 20-something weeks and teen-something weeks. (I already forget and since Emily's baby is now on the other side this is old news!)

Only when I'm with Anne do pictures get taken of me and the girls!

project heaven for Francie

>

even clean up was fun. Thanks B! (my favorite part is the WHITE full length curtains tied up everywhere. Paint and toddlers don't really go with those!)

Uncle Bob's Memorial

Last week we went down to Morgan Hill for a really nice memorial service for my Great Uncle Bob who died a few weeks ago. He was my Grandpa's (my mom's dad) youngest brother of seven siblings. He was always smiling, loved sports and loved his family. He reminded me a lot of my Grampa who died when I was in college so it was always special to see Uncle Bob and remember my Grampa. Jannie and my Uncle John read a beautiful eulogy as did my cousin Mandy who is in high school and really did a great job, even singing the song that played when he passed away with all his family around him. It was a nice day to celebrate Uncle Bob and see all of our Arnerich relatives, and of course in family tradition a big party followed at the Heiser's house!

The girls at the reception... Maisie looks skeptical I'm going to let her eat that chocolate chip cookie in a white dress

Took away the cookie. Bad idea

The Heffs- it was HOT that day

Ella, Cousin Marty and Jannie cooling off by the pool

The guys doing what they do best- BBQ'ing up some kabasitza

Francie cooling off in her unders. The Heiser boys were so sweet to make sure the girls didn't jump in the deep end. The girls had been splashing around in their dresses before they got soaked and I striped them down and the boys go "aw how cute they even have matching, er, ah, what are those?"... "Their UNDIES" Jannie told them :)

Maisie flying high in the sky

Cute Ella

Francie pants

Maisie sporting a mohawk- there really is hair coming in!

and if there is a pool around you know Grampa will jump right in to take the girls motorboat-motorboat-go-so-fast-ing!

the crew of BOYS- mostly cousins all the same age range

UJ, Mimi, Andy, Bill (the host of the reception w Kris) and my Dad. I told Mimi this was cute and all but kinda awky since it looks like her brother is her husband and Andy is standing right next to her :)

Andy goes "yeah what the heck!" but UJ eats up the love from his baby sis

Jannie and Mimi- sisterly love

aw more (rare) sisterly love :)

My Favorite Small Stuff

I love having baby girls and just hanging out at home with them most days. We have yet to sign up for one class, group or weekly obligation (except ballet starts back next week) and we decided not to start preschool yet so everyday is a" what should we do today!?" kinda day. Usually we watch some cartoons in the morning while we wait for Maisie to wake up, play around the house and hope no one stops by to catch us in PJ's at 10:30am, get dressed eventually, walk downtown to meet friends for lunch/park/play or head to Menlo to play at Brilliant Babies while I check in and get a few things done (or enjoy a quiet 2-hands lunch with a friend on my own :) I am so excited for fall weather, holiday festivities and getting closer and closer to meeting a brand new baby Heff in 4 months!!! Random pictures of all the random things I don't want to forget...

These girls crack me up- snack time on the kitchen counter for the ragamuffins

Maisie looking like a boy- she had a little diaper situation at BB and the only extra clothes they had that fit her were these little cowboy duds. She looked cute as a boy!

and I love that SOMETIMES Francie will actually look in the direction of my camera and saw "cheeeeese!" Not the best look but I'll take it

and I love the anticipation and wondering if this baby will be a boy or a girl. I really think it's another girl (yesss.. triple matching outfits) but I was wrong on both girls so it's probably a boy this time!

Walks to Shoup Park in the morning that involve no less than two strollers, three baby dolls and my wagon to haul everything when they get tired

The Shoup Park gang just hanging out shooting the breeze on the slides

My nemesis on any given day... sippy cups and bottles ready to be washed (so many parts!)

after: not much makes me happier :)

Francie told me "Mom- Maisie is a little wet, I'm just gonna go change her diaper." Humm, I thought I would let her try and then forgot to go check- Heff called me in to witness this 10 minutes later...

Chasing crazy Maisie who was playing along but not exactly cooperating

until eventually she gave in

New matching Ugg boots ready for the fall weather to kick in! Francie lived in hers last year and they are by far the easiest shoes to slip on everyday. We went with Jannie to get them and the girl asked to measure their feet- I said sure but I think Francie is a 9 and Maisie is a 5. WRONG: Francie is a size 11 and Maisie is a 7! Sorry for binding your feet this summer girls.

Lego, blocks and dolls in a mess (but way more fun that way)

Bedtime. Order is restored

Maisie in her comfy cave- she goes down SO easily most nights* and yes she has a bottle in bed. I know, as Francie says "That's bad." *and if I would have posted this last night I would have guessed I jinxed myself but for some reason last night was not one of those nights and she was up, wide awake with me until 1am!! We caught up on Tivo and played with all Francie's best toys while she wasn't there to claim them out of her little sister's hands.

and my favorite thing about my life right now... having such a helpful, supportive, fun husband! He made this delicious pot roast Thursday night for me to just pop in the slow cooker Friday morning for dinner. He's been so great about taking the girls on adventures or just for the daily grind so I can have some guilt free time to get stuff done. We are a good team working through anything that comes up at work and he's so calm and collected about anything that would otherwise be stressful. And he's such a good dad getting on the floor every night for "jump on dad time", reading books, finding chores for the girls to do when they clean out the garage and being a fun- patient dad.

I love you Heff! (and I forgot to mention he works so hard for our family too - hanging out in his favorite chair after a long day of work and Francie trying to get in as close as she can to her Dad)

Red Bluff Rattlesnake!

We had adventures in Red Bluff as usual... It's so much fun to go up and hang out even for a short weekend. The girls run around like wild banshees and LOVE having the Matthews cousins living so close now! Aunt Kat is due any day now and has her nursery set up so cute for the "little buckaroo" we can't wait to go back up and meet a newborn- number 9 of the grandkids!

Ellie taking Maisie out to the barn to "see" the big horses (not pet- she gets this funny terrified look on her face if they nudge her)

But not one bit scared of the pony or miniature donkey

Cowgirl with Nugget

Patrick and Maisie on the John Deere

and off exploring on their own (chasing a wayward chicken)

"There it is Packet! COme on let's go!"

"No Maisie it's too far over the fence. Forget the chicken."

"We'll just build a fort instead and not let those big sisters in."

Oma's newest addition to the barn- Sherman the VAULTING horse!

patiently waiting their turns

always so good to little Maisie Moo

thanks for the fun ride Oma! Next time- purple unitards and handstands like Mom :)

I told Maisie not to run off in the ivy... "I'll get her mom- I can do the job."

What would we do without Ellie

Kate's turn!

Then Heff brought out the big guns.. no more waiting turns just pile them all in for rides around Oma and Opas!

"My Dad would so not approve of this."

4-wheel fun in the sun

cute kids

and THEN... I wandered down to the barn where all six kids were hanging out by themselves and Kate said "Look guys come quick! A REAL snake! A LIVE one!" I went over to look in the tack room and right there in the corner was a snake all coiled up to pounce- it wasn't all that big but it was for sure a RATTLESNAKE.

I rounded up the kids and we all ran inside for reinforcements... Donald loooves rattlers.

three-man job

Heff forked it and Donald sawed off it's head with a tree trimmer.

Headless rattlesnake

the kids were in awe. and Francie is for some reason in undies.

Good work Heff and Uncle Donald

Back to playing and too much fun

until dinner time! the kids table

and bedtime stories by Aunt Maureen

and entertainment by the big girls... puppet show off the balcony. We were all cracking up laughing because Kate and Ellie were animated as they sang with their puppets and Francie's was on upside down (the white sheep) and kind of looked like it was dying a painful death (the puppets are HAND knit by Vickie Wells- 8 of them we can't believe she worked so hard on and didn't keep for herself!)

Maisie just wishing she gets in the performer group soon

and running around rough shot and buck n@aked the next day before we packed up to drive home!

Red Bluff Livestock Auction & Fair

We made it up to Red Bluff for the big Tehema County Fair weekend- the 5th year in a row we haven't missed it (even the year Francie was 9 days old :) The Tehema County Livestock Auction is our favorite- we camp out from 10am-ish until close to the end of the auction around 3/4pm. It's always hot that weekend but the giant fans and free Tri-tip sandwiches and iced tea they pass around make it nice and comfortable. We didn't quite buy as many animals as we did last year but we had fun bidding a few times, cheering on Oma's bids and coming home with a winner-winner-piggy-dinner!

Oma getting her buyer's basket from a cute 4-H girl

Heff and Maisie camped out watching the auction

Francie couldn't believe we had a "bottom row seat"

Maisie and her corndog

Corndog kids and Ronan hiding from my camera

Maisie wasn't so keen on the "let me sit on your lap" idea

Back in the auction after a snack and potty break

160 animals later... time for the parade of Grand Champions!

We only had room in our extra fridge for one animal so we went with our "Go Big or Go Home" motto and bought the Reserve Grand Champion Swine

That's our bacon, ham and pork chops. and we'll be famous soon when this picture publishes in the Red Bluff Daily News! :)

The girls had both been asleep on our laps by this time- we hauled them up with us for the picture and they both woke up looking like "where the heck am I!?" for the camera

Maisie calculating her price per pound (calculator "favors" for buying) Don't worry it's a tax write-off Maise

Francie went right back to sleep

Love this Grand Champion steer looking right at us through the fence (and his pint size little girl who raised him)

Funny Faces of Maises (our nice cleaning lady calls the girls "Frances and Maises")

Still worn out and sweaty from sleeping on dad

more Red Bluff pics next and a memorable encounter with a snake in the barn!

Countdown is on...

...for Ann & Pat's wedding! October 30 is creeping closer and I'm so excited for all the festivities (and to have her home from Nashville so often) Last weekend the Carter's had a shower for Ann at their house with a whole group of ANn's biggest fans :) They made everything so special with personalized "Ann & Pat" champagne bottles for favors, pretty flowers and really good food. It was a fun night to celebrate Baby Ann.

everything was SO pretty and tasty- good job girls :)

The Carter girls with ABA- Beth, Ann, Georgia and Jill

giving a hilarious toast :)

Allison and Aunt Mimi

Ann and Bethy

Presents!!

Em made an impressive ribbon bouquet (thanks for taking over the duty for me Em!)

Ann and her girlfriends

Ann and her "lady friends" (sorry - blurry, I was tired)

Bethy and I trying to take a good picture- she looks cute I do NOT (maybe that means it's another girl this time since Jannie says girls steal your beauty when you are pregnant!) and Hi Bethy- thanks for being such a faithful blog reader :)

Thanks for such a fun night girls!!

A Visit to Grandma Wichmann's House

On the way to Disneyland last Sunday we stopped outside LA to check in on Claire's Mom- Grandma Wichmann's house to see how it was faring since she passed away. It't the house where Claire and Cathleen grew up and really cool to see all of the land, horse stables and places she used to play as a kid.

roaming around on the wagon looking for trouble ;)

Little Packet! Holds his own around all these girls

"hey guys you left me here!"

kids on a tractor- almost as good as any ride at Disneyland (especially if they figure out how to turn it on:)

Maisie not too happy for some reason :)

dismounts

the kids found some crayons buried somewhere to keep themselves busy inside for awhile

Grandma Wichmann loved her Scottie Dogs!

Not much has changed since Grandma Wichmann died- a little dust collected (and a few Coors Light cans after our visit!) but it was really neat to see the house and pretty impressive she lived here alone and kept it up until she died at 96 years old!

Jannie would be happy to see the Simonson family Christmas card from 2009 was still propped on the TV!

Heff found a "trap-door spider web" and made an impromptu science experiment

Learning new tricks from her cousins

Little Squatter

and Ellie taking very good care of Maisie as usual (she usually has her or Patrick on her hip!) she takes her role as the eldest very seriously- I know the obligation well Ellie :)

DISNEYLAND!!

Sunday morning we all packed up to head south for Disneyland (The four of us in one car- Oma, Opa, Ellie and Kate in another). Maureen and Doug had a wedding in LA so we met them down there with Patrick and Andrea, Craig, Isabel and Thomas who live in LA drove over Monday morning for the park day. It was a family affair for all seven of the kids first time ever to Disneyland. We stayed at the Grand California Sunday and Monday and just did one day in the park- thinking we'd come back for naps and go back but we ended up in the park from the minute they opened until closing! The kids were troopers and adults all enjoyed it far more than we gave it credit for. A Monday in September helped grace us with short lines but the park was still fairly crowded. Francie LOVED it and made it even more special to share with her cousins and Oma. We'll even plan another trip!

Up early in the morning... sooo excited for this day she's been asking about for a year

Breakfast with "the characters"

"We can't believe it's you either Chip!"

Posing with her instant buddy

Notice Maisie's subtle lean... she was okay as long as they didn't break the 12 inch bubble around her

all this AND Mickey shaped waffles? Too good to be true

If only I had two giant black ears and a bow on this stroller... I know, I know- I heard that a few times! We needed (I mean NEEDED Heff :) an umbrella stroller for my collection and this one was on super sale on Gilt a few weeks ago. I realized it's maiden voyage at Disney was a little ironic :)

and we're IN!

Our mission was to head directly to Mickey's House in ToonTown but we got sidetracked with the empty lines beckoning us along the way. First stop- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! It was scarier than we remembered- Patrick (who's REAL birthday it was) hated it- sorry Patrick!

Then the Tea Cups of course!

Maisie trying not to barf

Did I mention the Mickey shirt?! At the hotel gift shop- Francie came running to Brian with this shirt saying "Dad!!! You won't believe it!! They have a Mickey shirt in YOUR SIZE!!!" He couldn't say no and was such a good sport he succumbed to looking like a total tourist/Mickey freak and wore it all day! I think it looks cute given the occasion :) What a sport.

"Where should we go next!?"

It's A Small World! Francie already knew the song by heart from asking us "the truth about the rides" every night. And after the 10 minute boat ride through the caves who could forget it.

Caught up with Craig and Andrea- now the gang's all here!

We finally got to ToonTown to find out it opened at 11am so we rode the train all around the park to kill 20 minutes- it was a cool ride though!

Cousin love in Toon Town

Best Ride Ever! Maureen and I took the kids on the Toon Town Roller Coaster- it was fast and furious but short- perfect!

And the big moment we'd all been waiting for (or at least Francie had...) THE REAL MICKEY!!!

Kate, Ellie and Isabel's turn- Izza wasn't so sure

Walking with Minnie in ToonTown - Francie holding tight to her autograph book. I guess if I were a GOOD parent like my husband I would have been wearing the Minnie shirt like the lady behind her :)

Minnie could only what for a minute before she had to go check on those cupcakes she was baking for Mickey- they whisk those characters off pretty quick!

Pirates of The Caribbean put Maisie right to sleep

After lunch- Doug, Craig and I waited with the babies for everyone else to come down Splash Mountain. We waited... and waited... and had our cameras ready at this for a long time.

Maisie woke up and had her lunch

Thomas fell sounds asleep in his stroller... going, going...

and the Birthday Boy Patrick was a very patient trooper

Then we saw a wave!

and the first group going down! (stranger, stranger, Heff, Francie, Kate, Oma) They all got "SOAKKKKK-ING WET!" as Francie said

then the next ones! (stranger, stranger, Andrea, hiding Isabel, Maureen and Ellie)

Heff and his girls in line for the Tomorrow Land rocket ride- what a cute Dad :)

Ellie piloting one herself

The Rocket Riding Trio!

In line for Captain Nemo... "Don't climb on the bars kids. Don't swing on the bars guys. Don't... oh forget it."

Loving the submarine- especially since our very own Opa used to be a Captain on this ride when he was younger!!

My sweet Maisie-Moo

wide eyed kids

Then on to Autotopia- Doug and Kate then Oma and Francie the crazy driver

and as promised Cotton Candy for all the big kids

Had to pose like her big sister and cousins

and then on to dinner... after much debate we went with corn dogs. deeelish. Thanks for treating Oma! (and Romey!)

and Oma let everybody pick out their very own embroidered hat before she left to go pick up Opa at his Aunt Wilma's house where he had camped out for the day

Outfit change after dinner and hoping for another character appearance

That face probably means she see's some 7 foot tall fuzzy thing!

It was MICKEY IN ANOTHER OUTFIT!!!

Stroller brigade brothers- who I have to say were all very good sports. Doug had just headed out to catch his 9pm flight home while Maureen and the kids would drive back with Oma

Tired babies (and parents) after a long- fun day at Disneyland

OMG PLUTO. Francie wanted to keep her distance at first on this one...

then finally warmed up

We love all the hats from Oma!

Bubbles in the street on our last go for rides

Dumbo! (I rode with her - don't call CPS :)

and getting-dark-carousel run

attempts at a group photo

and heading to BED! (after a lounge session in the hotel lobby with room service and cocktails until no one could keep their eyes open any longer :)

Francie Said...

We were at Disneyland (pictures coming!) and Francie got a cake with a candle for dessert since it was Patrick's birthday the next day and Francie's had been two days before. She soaked up the "Happy Birthday to you," blew out the candle and said "Am I FOUR now?!"

Then tonight playing in the living room she asked us "Have you ever been to Wasghing-mon-ton? I went there with Moo-Doo-Don and my grandparents. It's in Africa and I saw lots of Kangaroo's there. Actually it was in Montana. I went there with my other little sister- her name is.... Camillia, yeah Camillia."

Francie's Birthday Party

Saturday morning we had a little party for Francie at the Nature Preserve behind our house. We had a bunch of family in town for the weekend so the year that started as "maybe we won't do a party this year" became a "little family party" and then seeing friends out and about lead to an old fashioned family and friends fiesta. It was a mellow morning in the Redwoods with some snacks, balloons, bubbles, face paint and a huge pinata. Francie loved it and Heff and I enjoyed ourselves since it wasn't even at our house! Oma, Kat and Donald were staying with us and a huge help getting everything ready and carting things down to the picnic area. It was a fun day I think Francie will remember- or at least look at the 390 pictures and pretend to remember :)

The "theme" of Francie's birthday party? Well I ordered some full size tissue paper wholesale- and had to get 2,500 minimum sheets of each color. It was CHEAP but also meant I am now the proud owner of 30,000 sheets of tissue paper. My husband loves me :) So we went with a bright-colored-tissue-paper-inspired party with a hint of Minnie Mouse here and there

Setting Up

Donald and I were the last ones up and paper-mached this huge balloon the kids had been playing with at 1am- nothing like a little late night art project :)

thanks for all the help Kat and Donald (and risking the 4 hour drive 14 days before your due date Kat!)

playing at the party

Francie's guests

little blurry family shot

Cat sweetly offered to bring the face painting supplies she got for Chella's birthday- and her painting services... She was an awesome Face Painter!

Francie's favorite thing ever

PINATA time! Heff and Francie picked this gorgeous pinata at a little market in Redwood City. Way to reuse Minnie paper plates and party hats whoever made $15 on this thing!

first go

it took some rippin'

and there it goes!!

pretty happy about it!

singing happy birthday and the awesome Minnie Mouse cupcakes by Allison! (three fancy flavors- they were delish!)

proud dad :)

letting the kids go hog wild with red frosting. My white jeans will never be the same

Simos (where was Jannie!?)

good thing ABA was here so I could enlist her help to clean up

ABA and Emmy photoshooting with my poofs. Awky ABA

only family picture we managed was while cleaning up

Francie was about ready for a nap by then. Grumpy slowly but conveniently placed the balloons in front of her face...

oh well- she's three!

Happy Third Birthday MaryFrances!!! We love you.

New Doll

Francie got her first American Girl doll for her third birthday from Oma and Opa! She picked "Emily" from the 49's (Kit's friend I think?) but she has renamed her "Natalie Emily" since big cousin Ellie has one named Natalie. Boy we really screwed up our kids thinking you have to have four names huh?!

She LOVES her doll and takes very good care of her. She tells people "you have to be careful with her and you caaaaan't drop her on hard ground or her arms and legs might fall off!" (words of warning from Ellie and Kate). But this morning when she woke up and Natalie Emily had fallen off her bed she goes "her arms and legs didn't fall off!!!"

THREE!

Yay!