Vacation Baby!

We started our vacation two weeks ago at 4am. We drove all the way to sunny Ca. We were so anxious to get home, we couldn't wait to see everyone, and do all we missed.

The Copsey's were our first visit and Emma was the highlight. Katie loved her!! I mean LOVED her. Every few minutes she would inform us "I think Emma wants to sit on my lap now." Then we would perch her on Katie's legs. Emma didn't know what to think of her.We decided to go on an outing to Sardine lake while we were there. The fishing is supposed to be good. Just not where Katie was standing. It was full of humongous tadpoles, I think they'll be huge bullfrogs myself. It also didn't make for good fishing that Katie's mommy doesn't know how to tie a hook, and she was fishing with the little rubber weight her pole came with.
But then it was down to the docks. Daddy and Uncle Mike rented a fishing boat for the day. Katie was going to catch her first fish.
She was really excited to row a boat, and wasn't too pleased that Daddy made her wait. Waiting is no fun.

But when they got to the middle of the lake where Katie could row in the circle that only one oar will make you move in, she went to town. Alas no fish were caught. Katie said "Oh mommy, I will never catch a fish."

I told her it would be ok. She can try again sometime. Just wait till she catches one. She's gonna freak!

All that was missing that weekend was Kayla. Rick and Mike needed her there. The Wii was no fun without her. The only thing they didn't miss was that she would probably have whooped them good at whatever Wii game they played. It's hard on the ego.

Katie was such a good helper with Emma. Aunt Leahna hardly had to lift a finger with her around. Notice Katie's mouth. Every time she gave Emma a bite to eat her mouth opened just like this!

We attempted at getting Emma in the pool. Excuse me, Katie and Aunt Leahna attempted at getting Emma in the pool. Unfortunately Emma thought it was horrible.
But she sure didn't mind getting a bath. Katie proudly washed her feet. Squeaky Clean Emma!

Rick and Mike spent the entire time catching up. These two really need to live closer together.

After Mike and Leahna's we went to Chico to reminisce, and have fun. We went to one mile and stuck our feet in. I asked Katie if she wanted to swim, and she wasn't to impressed with this "pool".

We walked around campus, ok I made it to the coffee shop and that was as far as Katie was willing to go. Rick walked campus by himself.

We took Katie to Caper Acres. Ever since she was born we couldn't wait to take here there. She was impressed!

We didn't get pulled over. Bobby, my cousin is a CHP and he took a break and visited us.

Rick also got a surprise visit when Steve and Cinnamon took us to a little league game that Scott was umping. All of our friends were there. Matt and Christy, Brian and Lisa, Steve and Cinnamon, and Scott (Jennifer met us for Pizza, but then took her little one's home.). You would think I would take a picture of this event since it most likely would never happen again. But alas I left my camera in the van. I didn't even think of the camera until I was on the way back to the hotel to jump in the pool. It was 106 degrees that day, I'm gonna blame the heat. It was amazing though to see everyone, for Rick to be able to catch up with all of his friends from his youth, and for us to see how big their kids have grown.

Next it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Katie loved to go on the four wheeler. She now knows how to start it, turn the key, push the button.

She took carrots up to Duke every day. He is getting a little long in the tooth as the saying goes, although he doesn't look a day over 20 he is in fact 23 or so. Katie is trying to help Grandma and Grandpa find a new horse for when Duke goes to the big pasture in the sky. What will they name this new foal?? Duke of course. In fact if Katie gets a horse someday it will be named Duke as well. This horse is a idol in our house!!

Katie and Rick went up to the orchard to diamond hunt. Katie found two. She was on a streak!!

While we were up there we had to be quiet. We forgot to bring carrots and Katie didn't want Duke to be disappointed.

We drove to Betty and Francisco's to see their house. Amazing. They have such cool ideas and they are putting them in their house.

After Grandma and Grandpa's house it was off to Grammie and Papa's. Rick only got one week vacation so he had to fly home. Katie loves Grammie and Papa's pool. She never wanted to get out, and she hated to leave.

But there were other things to do besides swim. Katie and Auntie Dee performed a duet. Just be happy I can't get audio on this blog.

Auntie Dee took Katie shopping and out to lunch. She came back with make-up. Yup Barbie Make-up. I think it was really grease paint. Katie was putting it everywhere. Eyeshadow, rouge, lipstick, nail polish, and body glitter. It was pretty messy. When Auntie Dee has kids I will be sure to get them make-up too.

After Grammie and Papa's house it was off to Great Grandpa, and Grams house. Katie lost her hat and had to wear this cowgirl hat. Completely appropriate for a water fight with Great Grams. Great Grams had plans for when Katie came. She stocked up on water guns, and water balloons. Then they had a good old fashioned fight. Katie has a mean shot though. We were pretty wet by the time she was done.

Katie and Papa did most of the cooking. We had scallops the first night. YUM. Katie is a very good cook.

She went fishing at the lake as well. But since Clearlake is full of nasty algae at the moment fishing was difficult.

Of course we went for lots of boat rides. Katie is a CRAZY driver. She mostly liked to sit up front and go fast.

It was a really fun vacation. Long, but fun. Katie keeps saying that tomorrow we'll get a good night's sleep, then wake up when it's dark, and vacation all over again. Maybe next year...