The Graham Cracker Suite: The Catalina Wine Mixer

Well we didn't go to Catalina for the wine mixer but we did take a trip over on my vacation and we had a great time. We were the first in line to get on the boat and got the best seats on the top level of the boat. We saw a lot of dolphins on the way out to sea and it was a little overcast but that burned off as soon as we got there. It was a beautiful day but the water was really choppy so we had to hold on. When we got to the dock we saw one of the crew trying to tie down the boat and a big swell came in and $&!#whipped the poor guy so bad they had to call the paramedics. After that excitement we took a look at the guided tours available and I about $&!# my pants when I heard the price so we decided to rent a golf cart and take our own guided tour. After the tour we had lunch at a cute little Mexican restaurant then headed to the beach. After my photo shoot for mommy in my new trunks that are 2 sizes too small (They were on the wrong hanger in the store and mommy already cut out the stupid mesh panties they put in trunks so I couldn't return them) Mia and I jumped in the water. I always thought that since Catalina was so close that the water would be as ugly as it is at the beach here but I was greatly mistaken. The water was so beautiful and clear that I opened my eyes under water forgetting that it was indeed sea water and it burned like hell.
After the Catalina adventure we set out on another adventure that we have been wanting to do since we moved to Riverside and that is to climb Mt. Rubidoux. It was actually a lot easier than I was expecting, though the picture of my sweat soaked shirt might say other wise. It was a little less clear than I was hoping but it was beautiful and we could almost see our house from the top.
Continuing on this action packed vacation we went to Laughlin to hang out with my cousins Kim and Forrest and pick up Great Grandma to bring her back home with us to catch a flight to Uncle Kens house in Minnesota. It was Grandmas birthday so we took her to dinner at the finest restaurant in Bullhead City.....Hibachi Grill. It was actually a terrible Chinese buffet (Because I know my Chinese buffets) but grandma loved it anyway. On the way out of town we stopped in Needles and had breakfast at the Giggling Cactus which was pretty good so that hopefully made up for the Chinese buffet. I really don't even like going to the river because it's freaking hot, I don't gamble and I'm not into water toys but the rest of my family is so we go just to spend time with them. I was a little worried about this year because we were just going with Kim and Forrest and they only have a boat that we usually have to swim out to and climb aboard. Isella wasn't too worried about it but I was not looking forward to looking like a sea lion trying to climb aboard while holding on to my trunks and sliding around because of all the sunscreen you have to wear when it is 113 degrees. Anyhow, it worked out great because Forrest is the man and was kind enough to pick us up on the dock in the marina then he found a nice cove that had sand instead of rocks so he was able to drive the boat right up on the shore and I could step right off the boat. So the crisis was averted and my trunks were not an issue after all (See the first paragraph, those trunks were going nowhere 😂)
Sounds like a lot of action for a short vacation but we actually went to Universal Studios, drive in movies and aside from the adventures I actually got a few projects done around the house. It was definitely too short but I'm thankful for every minute I get to spend with the family that God blessed me with. Sadly, Michelle had work and school so she wasn't able to go with us which was a bummer but I am glad that Andrew was home to keep an eye on her 😉.
I hope we are able to squeeze in a few more adventures before the girls go back to school and with Sophie and Mia in high school now the time of them going on their own adventure without me is rapidly approaching 😢

Graham Clan in Catalina