Huntington Beach

We took a much needed family getaway for two days this week. It's about a 6hr drive from Phoenix and totally worth the effort.

The weather was 70 degrees and sunny. A little cold to go swimming but perfect to wade in the waves and dig in the sand.

We had not trouble getting this one to go into the water. She seemed to know exactly what to do.

The view from our window from the Shorebreak Hotel

Katherine was very excited about the hotel. As soon as we arrived she squealed and tucked herself into one the fluffy white beds... Since she never wants to go to bed, I had to document the moment...

Wrestling on the bed while Geoff chivalrously brought up our bags from the carI love this girl!

After a fabulous afternoon on the beach, we cleaned up and took ourselves to dinner at a place called BJ's. Katherine behaved pretty well and the food was excellent.
Afterward, we read stories and tucked Katherine in. Needless to say, she was asleep within 5 minutes of putting her down.
Her first time going into the water


Getting used to it


The second day took it's toll on Katherine. It was a little colder and one of the waves had swept her under. She no longer wanted to go in the water and DID NOT LIKE the public restrooms. Since she wouldn't go in the ocean, so what's a parent to do? She'd throw a tantrum when she thought she really had to go but she was so stubborn, she'd wait for the feeling to pass and then go off playing again. So one minute she'd be crying hysterically and the next she'd be goofing around again, quoting movies. Her favorite quote this trip was from Mulan and she would say this in a Pee-wee Herman kind of voice: "Excuse me, where do you sign up? Oh, I see you've got a sword! I've got one, too!!" and laugh and laugh... She thought she was so funny! Consequently by the time this kid really had to go and was willing to go back the restrooms, it was too late! We didn't make it there once.

Geoff caught this last video at the end of the second day when we were changing out of our beach gear at our car. Katherine couldn't decide if she was more hungry or tired so she tried to do both at the same time. Hilarious!

In the end, it was a fabulous trip. I'm so glad we went.

Chillin' at Home

With it being over 110 this past month, we have spent a lot of time in doors creating our own fun.
This little girl is always on the move. She is no longer content with watching her shows in the morning, she wants to be doing crafts from 6am - 10am. Her red scissors are an obsession. For anyone who missed my Facebook posting, her curiosity took from cutting scraps to cutting six inches off a handful of hair while I was asleep! She knew it was wrong but just couldn't help herself. She has now contented herself with cutting as many ribbons to put in her hair as she can find.We play in her toy room for hours. She calls us to dinner and feeds and reads to her babies. But her favorite pastime has become body art. Who knew she was so dedicated to her craft?

Every artist goes through themes, this is her "Boat" series...

We read stories at night and lately, I have been reading 2-3 verses of the scriptures to her, just get us in the habit and teach her that it's important. So when Geoff joined us on one his nights home, this is how she included him:


Can we say that this girl does not like going to bed??


No one is safe from being marked with the Disney Princesses