Heading Out with a Purpose

 When we were at Jennifer's house, we headed out with a purpose.

We were ready to go!

Waiting

When we got home from the haircuts, two of Katie's friends were waiting for her.

The cats looked at my new haircut as soon as I got home!

The "After" Look

At the end of Katie's haircut, she looked so cute!

This was the first time I got layers put in my hair.

A Lot of Hair

During Katie's haircut, there was a lot of hair falling to the ground.

I couldn't see my hair falling, but there was a lot less weight on my head!

Off for a Haircut

It's been awhile since Katie got her hair cut. She was ready for a before-school change.

This was my "before" picture.

Loving the Dogs

Katie loves when she can have multiple pets to give attention to at the same time!

Bailey and Sophie were both happy to be getting some attention!

Working on a Puzzle

My sister, Jennifer, has been working on some jigsaw puzzles, and Katie loves to help her!

Aunt Jennifer got these puzzles at Disneyland, and they were a little tricky!

Soaking It In

Katie is soaking in the last few days of her summer vacation by sleeping in, late showers, spending time with her friend, and enjoying the couch!

It's just nice to take all the time to relax that I can!

Spending Time with Friends

Katie and a couple of her friends decided to meet at a park one evening, so they could go on a walk together.

I love spending time with friends.

Practicing Her Drawing

The other day Katie was sketching. Her artwork always amazes me.

Eyes can be tricky, but the hardest thing for me to draw are hands.

Helping Aunt Jennifer

Katie helped Jennifer give Sadie a bath last weekend. It always takes at least two people to bathe Sadie because she hates water. She won't stay in a tub, so she has to have an outdoor shower.

We waited for a hot day so the water would stay warm. Sadie did really well, but we got wet along with her!

Still Picking

Katie and her friend have started having competition for the blackberries by our house, but they are still finding a collection of them.

The berries are so good right now. We can't give up on them!

Preparing

Katie is preparing for her next Comic Con by getting a costume ready.

I'm dressed like a character in my favorite video game.

Mr. Limpet

Mr. Limpet loves when Katie is home. One of the perks is always having an extra soft blanket to cuddle into while he sits with her.

Mr. Limpet is never a bother to me.

The Farmer's Market

We hadn't gone to the Farmer's Market this summer, and we were missing it. It was time to go back.

We came prepared with a shopping list for our fresh foods!

More Blackberries

Katie is continuing to pick blackberries this summer with her friend. The problem with wild blackberries is that they are covered in thorns, so it's hard to get the blackberries off the higher branches. The two girls tried to solve the problem by using a "golden retriever" tool to try to bring the high branches closer to them without getting scratched.

We were able to get more blackberries this way!

Carnival Games

We couldn't leave the fair without Katie trying some of the carnival games.

I decided to play this ring tossing game because I had never played it.

I got zero rings on the bottles just like every other person who was there.

I decided to go to this easy, guarantee prize game and got a stuffed animal. I also threw darts and won a good-sized stuffed dog!

The Demolition Derby

We are not really big fans of demolition derbies, but we decided to go to it one year just to see what it was.  We still aren't what you would label fans, but we decided to take Katie just so she could experience the craziness.

The best part of the demolition derby is that it's a chance to rest in the shade.

When the cars started destroying one another, Aunt Jennifer laughed at the dumbness. I just didn't get it.

Visiting the Animals

You always need to visit the animals at the county fair.

It was hard to get a picture with the cow showing its face.

I found the llamas!

Aunt Jennifer loves these pictures!

The County Fair

It has been years since we went to the county fair. We decided it was time to go back.

When we first got to the fair, it was pretty hot. We were still excited to go!

Blackberry Season

Throughout the summer, Katie has been meeting up with her neighborhood friend to go for walks several times a week, but now that the blackberries are ripe, they are spending their time picking fruit!

We feel lucky that the blackberries are right by my house.

We are getting good at finding the best berries!

We always wash our berries and then split them equally.

Visitors

It was exciting the other day to look out our window to see two deer next to us. We haven't seen deer at our house for years.

I loved watching the deer.

"Virtual Field Trip" - Day Two

Katie and her friend had so much fun going on their "field trips" that they continued with more.

Entertainment

When Katie was talking with her friend, they decided to go on some "virtual field trips" by photoshopping their pictures.

Back to Drawing

Katie has taken a short break from drawing this summer, but in the last week, she has gotten back into it.

I never lost my love of art, but sometimes you have to wait for motivation to strike.

One More Picture

You might as well get one more picture when you can.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but I was pretty much done with getting my picture taken by this point. However, I was still a good sport to stop and look at the camera.

The Polar Bears

We were able to see the polar bears from a distance. By the time we reached their enclosure, they had disappeared inside. At least we got a close up view of the polar bear bench!

I guess the bench is a good runner up for the real thing!

A Familiar Spot

When Katie was younger, she could never pass this cave at the zoo without going in it.

Aunt Jennifer convinced me to go back in the cave, but I wasn't as excited about it as she was.

Her Favorites

Katie still loves seeing the giraffes!

This giraffe was hungry.

He kept going over to the place where visitors can feed the giraffes, but it was closed for the day.

The Squirrel

When Katie was little and we went to the zoo, she always had to find the statue of the squirrel next to a lunchbox. She loved it, and it's still fun to see.

The squirrel has changed locations, but it's still the same squirrel that I loved!

Katie's Wingspan

While we were at the zoo, Katie tested her wingspan.

I am close to the wingspan of a bald eagle.