Not too shabby for a Baby's First Year.

We started this adventure 3 months ago today. That's kind of crazy. We've been traveling for over 3 months and living in a house on wheels. Who knew we would last that long? Today was important for another reason though: It was our baby girl's first birthday! When we think about all we did this past year and all the fun we had with Miss Sawyer, we can be nothing but thankful. I am convinced there are no babies out there more perfectly easy-going than her. She displayed her extreme tolerance and patience tonight when little hands were snatching at her birthday presents and cake. Sawyer, you have been an absolute treasure, but if you wanted to secure your position as the youngest in the family, you might have wanted to make life a little more difficult this past year. ;)
As I write this, we are in Long Beach, California. And we are staying in a hotel again because in 36 hrs. we board a cruise ship. My mother-in-law had this wonderful item on her bucket list called "take grandkids on Disney cruise" that we are all-too-happy to help her cross off. This afternoon I ran into my mother-in-law in the lobby of the hotel and it was a great reunion. With their travels and ours, we have spent most of 2011 apart, and it will be great to have her all to ourselves for the week. The kids are mildly excited about seeing Grandma as well.
The last couple of days we spent in the Anaheim area, exploring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. The kids stayed up later than ever because there was so much to see and do that it was hard to cram into 3 days. If you ever want to see parents push their kids WAY beyond their limits, go to Disney. By about 5 pm, 90% of the kids are asleep (even the older kids), and the parents are still trudging along, determined to see and do more. You can't help it. You spent so much money, you just want to see it all.

I am absent from the tea cups. I can't stomach that.

Buzz Lightyear ride.

Ariel ride. Annika's face says it all. The kids were blown away.

Sawyer LOVED the rides. She'd stay up HOURS past her nap just so she wouldn't miss a thing.

Our Tink.

Disney-marketing geniuses. I hate stuffed animals, and yet, I left the park with stuffed Disney Characters.

Ferris Wheel of vomit. I skipped this one.

Disney California Adventure Park.

She was so excited about her present: her first baby.

Mmmm...Birthday Dinner.

Our precious baby girl is ONE.

Is this what I'm supposed to do?

After much MUCH discussion, we have decided to end the RV trip shortly after the Disney cruise is over.   One of the things Andy really wanted to do on this paternity leave was spend some time snowboarding, so we are going to head back up north to Squamish, British Columbia and become full-time Whistler-ers. It will be nice to spend Christmas in a home, in Canada, and not in a Wal-Mart parking lot somewhere. And I think Andy is asking Santa for a snowmobile for Christmas.