DISNEYLAND, shark reef, baby girl has a name!

Disneyland, yeah!! We went to the Disneyland park the first day, and California Adventureland the second day. My dad and sister Kati (15) met us at the hotel and were able to spend the whole time with us. THANK YOU!! The pictures are mixed from the different parks. We had so much fun. My girls were both tall enough to ride ALL of the rides at both parks, so most of the time was spent hitting the big rides OVER AND OVER. Thank goodness Kati and Darrick were up to that challenge, my dad and I hung back with Madelyn most the time enjoying a slower-paced day at the park.



By the way, they drained all the water off this pier at California Adventureland and I believe they are installing an awesome water show like the Bellagio and then will fill it back up again. That will be spectacular at night.
We got a personal meeting with Chip N Dale that was lots of fun for the girls, particularly Madelyn.
Too many girls, poor Darrick.
We got locked up for having TOO much fun, Madelyn helped us find a way out.

Madelyn's big ride, she was tall enough for the Mattahorn, so we did that with her a couple times. Those tracks are looking a little scary behind them...
I swear the Disneyland castle is tiny compared to Disneyworld. Does anyone know that for sure? Maybe my memories just let the castle grow in my imagination and reality was striking.
The jungle cruise, which now features some paranas.
My favorite picture. The end of two LONG days.


Katlyn's first grade class went to visit the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay last week and here are the shots I was able to take, although you can't see much through the aquarium glass. Directly behind these girls is a shark, you can make out the eye that shines back like a flashlight.
Right above the starfish is a large octupus that is sort of upside down and squished in the corner. I learned they can maneuver through a hold the size of a quarter!!
They were able to play in the water with the sting rays and horse shoe crabs.
Poor Katlyn. She loves to brush her hair. First thing in the morning, in the shower, right after her shower, etc. Well, she tried to curl up some bangs with her wet hair and somehow managed to get this comb so tightly wound and twisted that it took me an hour of snipping, pulling, and conditioning to get that thing back out. I don't think she'll try that again :)

And I must include an update to our little foster baby. She is 3 months old already!! A family member in another country that is willing to adopt her has been located and wishes to call her Eliana. So she finally has a name. I don't know what type of obstacles have to be achieved to make this placement a reality, but I hope it works out. I have been told to expect it to take at least a few months. So we have some time left to enjoy her. She is SUCH a happy little thing. She is easy to get laughing now, smiles whenever she sees someone's face. She is a very good baby. She is just starting to get filled out and chubby, it's a fun trasformation to watch. (Just to clarify, she was in respite care during our Disneyland trip.)