I uploaded our pics from our trip to CA – click here or copy and paste http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=vv8ykdd.92k728fh&x=0&y=kfe8z9&localeid=en_US into your browser. 

If you want copies of any of the pics, you have a few choices:

1)  Order them directly from the kodak website – select “add to cart” (button just above the pictures) for the ones you want at only $.15 per picture.  They do charge tax, but shipping is only 1.50 if you choose a location to pick up from.  You can choose from a variety of locations, including Kmart, CVS pharmacy and Albertsons, and orders are ready within 1 to 3 days.

2)  Tell me which ones you want and I’ll order them, then you can pick them up from your local Cosco.

Since I removed our laughing video (see previous post for info), I thought I’d replace it with a new one.

I haven’t heard back about the $25 gift card, but I did receive notification that they want to publish our photo in America’s Most Beautiful Babies. Not only am I a published author (remember my Cat Fancy sidebar on CPR?), but I’ll also be a published photographer.

We also have the possibility of becoming TV stars – I entered the video of Lauren on America’s Funniest Home Videos’ website. I’ll let you know if I hear anything!

We’re home as of yesterday at noon.  All went well despite a few set-backs that seemed major at the moment:

When I completed web check-in through alaska, I had to note that I’d be bringing Lauren.  I even had to type in her name.  I’d never done this before, so I wasn’t aware that her name was supposed to print on my ticket.  In fact, after I had already waited in the check-baggage line and in the security line, only then did one of their employees rudely inform me I couldn’t take my baby with.

So we said goodbye to Lauren and boarded the plane.

Just kidding.  We had to go back to the first line and since I didn’t want to wait in it, I asked a free employee if we had to wait in line.  She tried to help us (for 10 minutes) but didn’t know what she was doing, so she handed us off to another employee who fixed the problem within 3 minutes.  They printed the letters INF after my name.  I could have done that.

So we ran back to the security line…which had doubled in size.  We only had about 30 minutes before our plane was supposed to take off at 6:45 am, and I was quite nervous.  The line was moving pretty quickly, though, and I managed to keep Lauren happy even though she hadn’t eaten since the night before. 

After they finally figured out how to fit Lauren’s carseat through the x-ray machine, we ran to the gate.  They had already boarded families with small children, so I asked the attendant if we could board – Lauren was hungry.  He blocked the way and rudely said no.  The woman at the front of the line said we could cut in front of her, which was nice since her son played peekaboo with Lauren.  Apparently they needed to change some lightbulbs – they didn’t let us on the plane for another 20 minutes. 

We were finally on the plane at 6:45, which was supposed to be take-off time.  I had Lauren’s carseat with hopes that there’d be an empty seat next to us.  When I scheduled our flight, I bought seats A and C hoping no one would buy seat B in the middle, but when they added Lauren to my ticket that morning, they switched us to seats D and F (there’s no seat E…why is that?).  I tried to stow the carseat in the overhead bins, but it didn’t fit.  Ack.  Thankfully the flight attendant took it and offered to find us seats or check it for us.  When he said “No problem,” I realized that was the FIRST person who hadn’t had a problem with us that morning. 

Well, there were several empty seats on the plane, but because of the delays he didn’t have a chance (or the guts) to ask anyone (literally, one) to move for us, so I ended up holding Lauren for the ride.  I had fed her as soon as we sat down, then stalled her with plans to feed her again on the way up to help her ears pop.  She fell asleep right before takeoff (7:40 ish) and stayed asleep for the first hour of the flight, which was a blessing.  Peyton watched Cars and drank two glasses of juice.  With 20 minutes left we stowed the DVD player and I asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom, explaining that he wouldn’t be able to go once the seatbelt sign came on.  He assured me he didn’t need to go.  As we began our descent, I fed Lauren to help her ears.  She ate too quickly.  5 minutes later she was done and crabby because her ears hurt, and Peyton got a bit crabby too, which was unfortunate since there’s only one of me. 

Suddenly Peyton decides he’s gotta go, and he’s gotta go now.  The steward who had initially helped us with the carseat was collecting trash, so I asked him if it would be okay for Peyton to use the restroom.  He sent Peyton to the front lavatory by first class – there was a stewardess up there to help him.  Lauren and I stayed in our seats and watched Peyton run to the front of the plane.  I saw him look for the stewardess who wasn’t there.  Apparently she was IN the lavatory.  The steward finished collecting trash and went to open the door, realizing the stewardess was inside.  Peyton waited, the stewardess was surprised when she came out, then Peyton used the restroom by himself and ran back to us, fighting the uphill slant of the plane. 

Lauren cried until we landed, but once we touched down we didn’t have any trouble after that.  James and Tyler met us by baggage claim, and we made it home by around 1.  It was so nice to sleep in my own bed last night!

Our vacation is going well – Daddy and Uncle Tyler drove back home a week ago, so the kids and I have been busy visiting all kinds of friends and kids’ places.  We’ve spent days swimming with friends (poor Peyton got stung by a bee), visiting the zoo (Peyton had a flashback to the bee sting when a fly bumped him), hanging out at Sea World (flashback again when a fly was buzzing around in the car on the way), shopping, more swimming, getting pictures taken (Lauren wore an outfit that I wore and my mom wore and her mom wore – Lauren looks SO much like me…poor girl) and playing with friends. 

Today we plan to go fishing at the beach with Grandma Patty and Papa Lee (James’ parents).  Peyton’s been excited about it all week.  We’ll be back home on Tuesday, so hopefully I’ll have some big fish pics to show off.

Apparently we only need a few more votes…if the email was right.  I didn’t post the link before because I thought it would require voters to login, but I just double-checked and didn’t have to do that.

So vote for the cutest baby ever!!!  http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photovote1.asp?PID=2654320  All you have to do is rate the photo using the 1-10 scale above her picture, then you can close out the site without having to enter any of your own info at all.

And if I win, I get a $25 visa gift card that I’ll use to buy lunch for all of my faithful fans

Daddy & Uncle Tyler made it home Saturday afternoon – Peyton misses them (and the Super Smash Bros. video game Tyler took) terribly.  While they drove home, Mom and the kids and I made the drive up to Uncle Brad & Aunt Brandi’s (and Kiera’s, their cute puppy dog) house in Ventura.  Peyton loved the fort/treehouse/swingset in the back and Lauren slept half the time.  We went with them to a place called the Cross – it’s up high on a hill (along with signs that warn of mountain lions and bobcats) and overlooks the ocean.  We snapped a few shots of the beautiful view after carefully parking Lauren’s stroller AWAY from the steep edge.  There Peyton worked on giving me heart-attacks.  He never got too close to the edge, but 5 feet is close enough for Mommy.

Happy Father’s day!  Today we had a small lunch party with Grandpa Van Maanen, Papa, & mom.  Lauren and I aren’t on the list because she fell asleep a few minutes before lunch, so I layed down for a short nap that turned into a long nap.  I had leftovers later – I think they tasted better after my nap than if I’d eaten them warm while exhausted.  We skyped with Daddy and Uncle Tyler and also with Grandma and Grandpa Zak out in New Jersey.  Skype is awesome.

And now it’s time for bed…especially since Peyton didn’t take a nap today.

Disneyland was fun today.  Looking back, I don’t think we did a whole lot, but it was relaxed and without incident…for the most part.

Before we even left Peyton’s jacket was missing.  We looked everywhere and decided it must have been left at church on Sunday. 

We arrived early – 7:30 – to buy our tickets and get into line.  I left my jacket in the car on purpose because I wanted to know what Peyton was feeling, but I didn’t realize that I’d also left Lauren’s jacket in the car until we were already on the tram.  We solved the problem by snuggling closely with her until she fell asleep in the Finding Nemo line.  She slept through her first ride, then we put her in the stroller with James’ sweatshirt over her.  I sat with her while Peyton and James went on the Buzz Lightyear ride.

 We bought a pirate shirt for Peyton to warm him up a bit, then we went to Toontown to check out Chip & Dale’s treehouse and Gadget’s Go-Coaster (Peyton is a huge Rescue Ranger fan).  On the way we stopped on the Carousel for a quick ride – we snapped a few cute pics of Lauren and me (I only have 3 total!) before she puked all over the place.  As you can see, she spent most of the day teething (and the rest she spent sleeping).

Gadget’s Go Coaster was probably too fast for Peyton, but he enjoyed the Treehouse.  We had seen Chip & Dale right when we entered the park, so he was especially happy to see their home.

Later we spent a few minutes in line for Dumbo – when Lauren woke up, Daddy took over waiting in line with Peyton and Mommy fed the baby.  I took some pics while waiting for the boys to finish:

Finally Peyton & Daddy made it on the Dumbo ride (after Peyton got his head unstuck from between the bars):

Sorry for the brief hiatus – packing for 3, updating Lauren’s baby album and trying not to forget anything made blogging impossible for a few days.

But I am on vacation now, so don’t expect a daily entry! 

The drive was fine – Lauren was happy until she was hungry or tired, but those were easy to remedy.  She was quite uncertain when we first arrived.  Well-meaning grandma, uncle Ryan and Papa tried to hold her.  She wasn’t very happy about that, and she let us know by sreaming bloody murder for several minutes even after I took her back.  She’s doing better now and has let several different people hold her.

On the drive, Peyton alternated between coloring, videos and talking, and though there were a few questionable moments, the rest of the drive he really impressed me.  He’s overly excited to be here, so he’s been getting into trouble here and there, but after another day or two he should be adjusted and better behaved.

Tomorrow we’re planning to visit Valley Christian – I want to see the new building and visit with some former teachers and co-workers.  Tuesday is Disneyland, Wednesday morning we’ll be see Uncle Tyler play at school, and Thursday is Tyler’s graduation.  I’m glad I’m staying an extra week – I don’t have to cram all my friends into that space!