McKenna is 3.

 Our precious McKenna turned three and we are thrilled that she is growing up but so sad to see our toddler turn into a preschooler. The days are long but the seasons are short!
We had her birthday party the Saturday before her actual day. We had a theme of rock star and the plan was for her and the kids to sing and dance until they could no more or until 6pm. McKenna had none of that! She ate her icing and opened gifts and then -played with her gifts. She was so excited to HAVE a party but she didn't really want TO party. Oh well. Next year is Monkey Joes so I'm sure she will participate in that fun! (we have done 4 year old parties at MJ's for the other two)

Blow out the candle

Trying to get some dancing going.

McKenna just rode her scooter the entire time

Instagram

 On the day of her birthday she ate cereal and I snapped this lovely. She helped me make rice krispie treats with chocolate chips. We didn't want to have cake again so this was her 2nd choice.

About a week before her birthday, McKenna asked if she could go on the green bridge for her birthday. Of course you can! It's free and will make a wonderful outing for us all! Seriously, the best idea ever. So Aaron left work early to meet us on the Cady Way Trail bridge. We let the kids bring their scooters and bike and we had fun walking and riding up over the bridge. Of course we had to go to the bottom of the other side and come back. The kids had so much fun! McKenna especially was happy because we were going up, at the top, going back down! (She has always liked going over bridges in the van) It was a dream come true for McKenna and she still talks about it now when we drive under it. I love her enthusiasm for life. She really does wake up in the morning and think today is going to be a GREAT day! She finds the fun in everything.

Smile McKenna!

When we got home we ate dinner. McKenna chose spaghetti. We had rice krispie treats and then a bath. After everyone was ready for bed we opened more gifts! She was so happy to finally get the Dora and horse!

 Happy Birthday McKenna Faith!

Hirschsprung's in 2013 -an update

Isabella is still having dilations at the Hospital. They are getting further apart and we are starting to see progress! This is exciting news. She did not get worse between treatments this time. YAY!

This is a far different scene than the previous times we've done this. She was so excited to see her hospital and friends this time.

Isabella and her BFF Jessie

Jessie taught her how to make balloon gloves

It got away from her

Ms Julie, her favorite surgical nurse

Walking back to surgery with her crew.

Recovery nap

2009

2013

2009

2013

She hasn't changed much, has she? And by the way, she did this totally on her own! I just asked her to repeat it so I could get a picture. These are some of our favorite pictures of her during the 2009 surgeries.
She still has to go back for more dilations but we are seeing progress and that is so encouraging.

Easter

Our Egg Hiders

On Easter Sunday we had my parents and my sister over. We all went to our churches and had naps and we gathered together about 4:00pm. It worked out nicely because the kids were well rested and ready to play.

We ate dinner, ham, mac n cheese, beans and rolls and we had cupcakes for dessert. We also dyed Easter eggs. Better late than never! After all the fun inside had been had we went outside to hide eggs and then hunt them.

We had a wonderful evening with our family.

Easter 2013

 

Easter 2013

SeaWorld and IKEA

Our SeaWorld passes expired at the first of the year. But Mama's pass expired in March so I got to go with the free children a few times this year. It was hard for the big kids to understand but they got over how unfair it was.
I took the little girls for our last trip to SeaWorld the day after vacation. We went in the afternoon and only stayed for a few hours. We went straight to the Orca Whale under water viewing and there was a large crowd. The show just let out and that is usually a busy time. So we avoided that crowd for another one at the ice cream shop. We got our waffle bowl with rainbow sprinkles and went back to the whales. The crowd was smaller and we could get a seat to set up shop. We watched the whales and ate ice cream for a good 30 minutes. Mama's favorite!

Orca Whale under water viewing

Mother Whale nursing her baby

Eating ice cream and whale watching

We did a little shopping on our way to the other side of the park. We got 4 beenie baby type animals so we could have a zoo at home! The girls were thrilled to get a toy! The flamingos was high on the list of things to see at SeaWorld so we made two stops here. We took video of them talking so we would be able to remember later when we talk about Flamingos and what sounds they say. I saw two flamingos mating and I texted Aaron that my life was complete, I've seen everything now! What a sight! One I don't want to see again!

Flamingos!!!!!

Me with my little girls

McKenna's favorite place is the dolphins! She wanted to go see the show but it was already in progress and I knew we needed to get out of the park before rush hour. So we just watched them in the under ground viewing. The line to feed the dolphins was longer than I've ever seen it. It went all the way up the sidewalk and just about reached the entrance to the dolphin show! Unbelievable! SeaWorld was definitely busy! It was Spring Break and beautiful weather to boot.

Dolphin viewing

Loving her new animals!

Loving this HUGE aquarium

After SeaWorld I needed to go to IKEA. I knew taking the little girls would be a challenge but I did not think the entire visit through. I ended up buying a large bookcase that is way taller than me. I was a sight to be seen in the self loading area with two carts with those crazy wheels. We made it through the long line to pay and my challenge to get to the van and load it had begun! Lot's of looks were made with me and my two carts as I walked to the van. I quickly devised a plan to move carseats and put the seat down. I even loaded it in the van by myself and I didn't need even need Aaron to rub Ben-Gay on me later! I felt good that I accomplished all that by myself with the little girls. When I got home Aaron had the job of unloading it into the house. One of those boxes was really heavy!

Sharing the cart

The van loaded!

1639.1 miles

 The distance of our 5 day vacation: 1,639.1 miles. From Orlando to Kentucky. Wowsa what a trip!

 We left beautiful 78 degree weather for cold, gray skies and snow.

 We returned to beautiful weather but the temp had dropped slightly. Seems like the winter storm that Kentucky got came down to Florida too. It's all good in a couple of days we will be back to 80 degree weather and complaining about how hot it is already and it's not even May!

I have a few pictures from my phone to share but I'm hoping my sis-n-law will send me some from her camera. We had a great time with family for Spring Break, lots of memories were made. We miss them so much and hope that we see them the next time they are in town.