So much happens in a few months when you're little...i suppose it happens when you're big too, but having little ones like you helps me stop and savor the details! November brought our annual family Christmas/reunion with the Kopetzkys in Lincoln at Aunt Julie's. Each time we visit Nebraska, you become more and more fond of Grandma Jeanne's brothers and sisters. You still freak out about the Yardleys' little dogs, but I think it's more for dramatic effect than anything at this point! Grandma Jeanne had surgery last month and you had your first real visit to someone in the hospital at KU Med Center. Thankfully, she's fully on the mend now! However, we stayed around for Thanksgiving this year instead of traveling like we usually do. Gpa Carl joined us for dinner and we put up Christmas decorations... You continue to love sharing "firsts" with your brother and his face lights up when you come around. We left him with Daddy, though, for your first visit to the symphony. Grammi, Papa, Kristin Morris and I took you and Izabella to the KC Symphony's Christmas show. You girls looked so cute all dressed up. It was a nice way to welcome the holiday season. We spent a good old-fashioned Christmas at Grandma Seal's in Columbus, making cookies sharing memories and playing games. Santa delivered a Disney Cinderella castle for you -- it was on your list (Daddy thought it was so sweet that your Santa list included "A floaty for Jalen" before you asked for anything for yourself.) We spent a few days with your great grandparents in Des Moines, too. The biggest thing that's happened to you in the last few months was our long-awaited Disneyworld vacation. On December 6th, Daddy, you and I flew to Orlando to meet Grammi and Papa for 2 days at Disneyworld and 3 days on a Disney cruise. For some reason, Florida had a cold spell while we were there and we dressed just like we did back home - sweaters and winter coats! But it didn't bother you one bit. From the moment you saw the real Cinderella castle, your little face lit up like never before. Fortunately, your dad is a video guru and captured many precious moments on film. Each day we woke up and prayed together as a family -- asking God to lead us and help us to enjoy every moment. We were blessed in so many ways -- showing up in just the right place at just the right time. We seemed to wander into parades and shows and character appearances when we didn't have a clue what was going on, as if led by a loving Hand. My favorite was the night of the Christmas parade when we ducked into an eating place to warm up and suddenly a dance party started (you LOVE dance parties) and Chip and Dale showed up. We've never seen you dance so much! The Christmas parade was a special event that Grammi got us passes to and it was spectacular. You were enthralled by all the floats with so many characters. Around the park each day you saw many of the characters from your favorite movies (princesses, Toy Story and good ol' Mickey and friends.) In fact, when we'd see Mickey and Minnie you'd say, "There's Ol' Mick and Ol' Min!" (Undoubtedly, you heard Papa say this at some point...) You loved the rides -- "It's a Small World" was your first ride in the Magic Kingdom. Your Dad, grandparents and I just loved watching you take it all in. We were all in tears (or close!) at various points. The highlight of our time at the park was surely lunch with Cinderella at her castle. We heard a knock on the door of our hotel room one night and there was an invitation (carefully crafted by Grammi) inviting you to a royal lunch at with your favorite princess. You wore your little Cinderella dress and met Cinderella for photos before lunch. She was so sweet and even took extra time with you. Then, you joined many other mini-princesses in the castle for an incredibly delicious lunch topped off by a dessert with all your favorite elements - ice cream, chocolate, sprinkles and marshmallows! We made so many wonderful memories. I'll never forget pushing you around in that almost-too-small-for-you stroller or how you'd put your arms up to beg someone to carry you. None of us minded - we were just delighted to share the experience! Your daddy and I had an acronym that we lived by during our vacation (and we hope to continue at home!) B.H.N. (Be Here Now) It helped us to savor even the ordinary moments - standing in lines, bus rides, etc. The cruise was a whole new world for you - a boat bigger than anything you'd ever seen, our room with a big round window looking out at the ocean and your own little bed to snuggle into(that you absolutely loved), Mickey, Minnie and their friends showing up everywhere, broadway-style shows every night (including Toy Story, the musical!), the kids club where you could go and hang out with other princesses and pirates, all kinds of your favorite foods all day long. You still talk about swimming in Mickey's ear (the boat had a pool shaped like Mickey's head). We sailed to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, for one day and Papa and Daddy persuaded you to go out into the ocean water a little. You just don't like the feel of sand on your feet, but maybe that will change one day! You did love watching everyone - you did a lot of observing on this trip -- just soaking it all in. I pray some of your favorite moments will stay in your heart for always! A couple of fun things about 3 1/2-year-old you: You love putting things to bed - princesses, stuffed animals -- i even walked in one night and found your nativity characters lying on their backs. Guess they have to sleep too! :0) You've heard the phrase "no flash photography" a lot lately, and you like to say it when you are making various announcements. You love to tell stories (which are peppered with the word "like" -- we're wondering where you picked this up!) and you like to sing made-up songs in a very high voice. Prayer has become a part of your young life and it is a delight to year you talk to God in your own way. Just today you could tell I was having a rough time and I heard you quietly asking that He help Mommy to be not so grouchy -- not surprisingly, my day turned around and you were delighted. Tomorrow we'll celebrate the first day of 2011 - I'm sure it will be a year of so much learning and loving for you!