Catalina Island Vacation

Jimmy and I decided to end our summer with a trip to Catalina for our third anniversary. We had such a blast! Charlie had a really fun time too. On the hour ride over to the island she fell asleep in the chair. She looked so cute.


When we arrived we found our hotel and then went straight for the ice cream. There were ice cream shops everywhere we went. Charlie must of thought she was in heaven!

After the first ice cream cone we spent a few hours on the beach. Charlie and Jimmy had so much fun building sand castles, chasing birds, kicking in the waves and digging a water hole. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, but not too cold!

She discovered footprints in the sand. She liked to walk in Jimmy's footprint the most.

There is the poor bird she really wanted to catch...she kept calling it a duck!

She had sand from head to toe! Would you expect any different!?!

Daddy, Charlie and Mommy

Charlie is not very fond of seaweed. She will touch it but says "Yucky" the whole time. She did not like it when Daddy turned into a seaweed monster.

We also played in the sand at the beach club down from the main beach and sat on the nice lounge chairs that cost $100 to rent for the day. Crazy! We went at the closing time so we didn't have to pay. I think we snuck in now that I think about it. During the day you have to have a wrist band.

The next day we played at the beach again. Just what we love to do! It was so great to just wake up in the morning and walk to the beach. What a life!

She couldn't let any sand castle go without a good stomping!

Charlie was even dirtier than the first day! Sand was everywhere!

We found two different parks to play at before it was time to go to bed.

In the front of our hotel was this antique car.

We had such a fun and relaxing time. Charlie was so great and napped at all the right times. Jimmy and I got to eat some great dinners and lunches while she slept. It was fun exploring Catalina in a family friendly way and having Jimmy all to myself for 3 whole days. We can't wait to go back.

The River and Lake Trip #6

Madison

Going in for a kiss!

Jimmy decided to take some time off from work so we had week long river trip. We went on Thursday night to Parker and stayed until Saturday morning. Jimmy worked on the boat making it very shiny and clean, Charlie took some long naps and played in the water and Caitlin and I enjoyed some river relaxation time. It was fun getting to know Cait a little better. We also all took a ride in the Patridge boat down to a sandbar and had lots of fun playing with Jaxson, Ryder and the many dogs that were running around.
On Saturday morning we were off to meet Grandma Bubbie and Drew in Lake Havasu for the weekend. We launched the boat and had a lot of fun in a little cove with Brian, Meghan, Mac and Madison. Charlie was a little grumpy because she had just woke up. She has decided it is better to fall asleep in a life jacket on the boat than scream and cry the whole time. I'm liking the alternative much better. On the way back she actually enjoyed the boat ride. Sitting next to a giggly Madison might of had something to do with it. She really had a great time with Madison this weekend and Charlie says her name so cute. We had a great time with the Beym family, the Olivas family and the Napolin family playing in the sand, swimming in the hotel pool , watching Daddy jump off very high rocks and eating the world's best snow cones. Our boating ended on Sunday night when Jimmy turned on the boat and it made a sickening sound. Good thing we were only a couple yards from the dock because a belt snapped and we were now just floating along! That night we ate dinner by the pool watching the Incredibles. Caitlin and I decided it was so hot outside that we were going to moon tan! You know...tan in the moonlight! I think we were delirious by the heat. Anyway, on Monday morning Jimmy drove the sea-doo pulling the boat by a rope...the tow of shame all the way to the launch ramp! The boat hasn't broke all summer so it was a little over due I guess.
While the boat was getting fixed we went back to Parker and enjoyed a little more river time. Charlie had a great time filling her bucket with rocks, dumping water on her head and helping Jimmy catch a fish. Jimmy showed her the worms (bait) and she instantly said, "EWWW! Yucky!" It's so funny how she already knows if something is gross. Jimmy loves it when she says yucky so he showed her the worms a lot and even made her hold one. I can't believe I used to like to play with those when I was little. Anyway, as soon as Jimmy threw his line out and set it down it started to take off. He caught a fish in about 10 seconds tops. I wanted Charlie to touch it but it swam away just as Jimmy was grabbing it out of the water. Of course, I ran to get my camera so I could capture the next fish he caught but he did not catch anymore. That night was pretty awesome though because there was a lightning storm producing lightning every few seconds for over a hour.

Jimmy and I finally decided it was time to go home on Tuesday. It was a fun week. Hopefully, we can squeeze in a few more trips before the water gets too cold.

Color My World With Ice Cream

I forgive you!

We went to DCA to show Jimmy the best parade since the Electrical Parade and to see the World of Color. While we were waiting for the parade Jimmy bought Charlie the ice cream he had promised her when she hurt her arm. She enjoyed every bite. Charlie loves the Pixar Parade. The Monsters Inc. monsters and Toy Story characters are her favorite. She can't wait for them to walk by her and then she doesn't really understand where they go. We like to sit at the end of the parade route so the parade turns the corner and goes beyond the wooden doors. When the parade is over she always looks at us with her hands up and says, "Go?" as if to ask where did they go. It is super cute! After the parade, we rode on the Monsters ride, talked to Crush and then ran around in the wilderness area. She discovered a slide she really likes. She must of gone down it 15 times. She is a little too small for the rope climbing area because her feet fall through the holes and you have to be super careful with her arms while holding her. We ordered the picnic lunches for the World of Color tickets. Charlie wanted to eat what Adelyn had of course. Adelyn was very kind to her though and gave her the cupcake after she ate all the sprinkles off herself. That's what cousins are for I guess! Charlie didn't mind one bit. :) While waiting just a little bit for the show to start Grandma gave each of the girls their very own Pooh Bear. (To this day Charlie is still a little confused about his name. She thinks Pooh is "Yucky" but loves to kiss the bear. I totally understand her confusion!) Adelyn was so cute with her Pooh. We had to sing it Happy Birthday and make it a cake. Thanks Mom for making them smile. Anyway, Charlie basically loved the Pre Show better than the real World of Color show. I thought she would really like it because it has music and she really loves to dance. She was a bit restless to say the least. She is not much of a fan of watching anything but Yo Gabba Gabba...she is more of a fan of interactive activities! She is a busy little bee! So all in all, I have come to realize Charlie would rather color her world with more ice cream than watch a really expensive water show. Sorry Disney but you did not impress my kid one bit. I thought it was pretty cool though.

Backyard Fun

My first attempt to upload a video (and to take a video)! Jimmy mentioned we need to make more of an effort to video Charlie. This one is for you baby!

When watching this video notice how nice and sweet Adelyn is to making sure Charlie gets on okay and has her turn. Charlie loves her cousin!

Why does my kid always have to push the limits? Who climbs into their water table!?!

Water Monster Fun

This picture reminds me of her mother!

Why is it that it is August and it is the first time we have filled up the water table all summer? We have just been so busy I guess. Adelyn came over to play today while Nicole and Mike went shopping/errand running. Adelyn chose to come and hang out with us instead. We had a wonderful day. (I didn't even get dressed today!) First, we played with every toy inside the house. Then, we played with every toy outside the house. Next, we had a picnic lunch on the living room rug and watched Yo Gabba Gabba. We put a blanket over the rug and put all the food in the middle to share. Adelyn told me that she has to eat at the table at her house. It was funny! While Charlie took a nap we colored with markers and then it was time for Adelyn to go home. It was fun having the girls all to myself!

Happy Camp Out!

It was Isa's 5th birthday and we celebrated by going to her Camp Out party at the park. It was lots of fun! There were camp t-shirts, many crafts, play equipment, a water area, games, a pinata and the biggest tent I have ever seen. Charlie and Adelyn thought it was a jumpy house. Charlie wouldn't stop jumping in it. It was a funny sight to see! I didn't get many pictures of her (none at the actual party) because I had my hands full...watching a 1 and a half year old at the park for 4 hours is a lot of work when you are by yourself (Jimmy had to work). I sure missed him. Anyway, she had the most fun climbing up to the big yellow slide and saying hello to any kid that passed by her. She was very friendly today. Shana, you are an awesome party thrower. Thanks for having us and happy birthday Isa.