Cora and I just got back from a 2 week trip to California. While we missed the Giullian family while we were there, we were happy to spend some more family time with the Murphys before they go to Ecuador! So sad to think she'll be 4 before they come back.
She was a good helper when I packed. I didn't check a bag so we threw everything in one duffel bag for the 2 of us!
We dressed Cora in her best to go to the airport!
She wanted to crawl around the floor at the airport. I had to unclench my germaphobe side in order to let her... otherwise it would be a long 8 hours!
Come back!
And then she started licking the ground. Ugh.
She didn't get her own seat, but this was how I got my bag off and on. People were SO nice to us, helping us with my bags and the stroller.
Cora was a little bit tired and scared of Murphy that first night, so we didn't get to get any pictures with anyone when we got there.
The next morning my parents flew to Utah to go to conference, and Cora Bethany and I had the day to ourselves. Cora finally approached Murphy (get ready to see plenty more pictures and videos, because it's pretty hilarious.)
Then we did something I was trying to do for SIX YEARS. We went on the big orange balloon at the Great Park!
It took Cora a minute to warm up to Bethany, but she finally did!
Cora just laid in Bethany's lap talking to her, it was pretty cute. And she is always pulling on her shirt.
Cora thought 2:30 was an acceptable wakeup time for us, so at 6:30 or 7 I finally laced up my running shoes and hit the trail. It's so beautiful there!
Cora started to sit there and watch Murphy. She even said "Da, da" when she would see him and would look for the window when you would ask where Murphy or the doggie was. I love this picture because it's so indicative of how round she is.
Between sessions of conference, Bethany and I decided to go on a hike to Peter's Canyon. We were not very smart and thought the hike was stroller friendly. It clearly wasn't.
Grumpy cat was grumpy.
But she did watch some conference with us!
And THIS was Sunday morning. She wouldn't even sit up to play with her toys because she was so tired. Eye roll.
But a walk with Murphy helped!
Cora warmed up to Papa pretty quickly and had a lot to say!
We don't have a full length mirror like this, so Cora was in heaven looking at herself. It was hilarious!
This is what would happen when I would try to lay down in the same room. Either that or she would rattle the blinds.
Still adjusting.
We watched all 3 High School Musicals in 3 days while tying Bethany's quilt, and Cora got into the Music. Notice how Murphy ignores her.
I was glad we got some reading time in with Grandma! I'll miss things like this.
My mom went to Dallas on Thursday, which apparently means everyone else goes out to get sushi. Cora tried spicy tuna, rice and mackerel and loved them! And she liked the miso soup until she spilled it all over me.
I got to go see our friend Lauren and her two boys while we were there, which was fun! Ben (the 2 year old) struggled with sharing with Cora, which is funny because he's getting a little sister in August. And I just reminded Cora she will be on the other end of it soon enough!
Saturday we had a wedding reception to go to, and while this is a super unflattering picture of me look at her face! She loves it when I get ready!
Cora tore up the dance floor. She was so excited to just crawl and crawl that she didn't eat hardly anything all night.
Since it was one of Dallin's best friends who got married, he came down for about 36 hours. I did get a picture of him saying hello and goodbye to his old friend Murph.
These are all so cute I don't know which one to pick. So all of them!
Dancing while uncle Cole plays the piano.
And she learned it made noise so she played the piano herself!
As she started sleeping better at night she ironically was more grumpy in the morning. So we went out on a run. Look at that tired face!
We went to the petting zoo part of the Irvine regional park, and it clearly was effective. She eventually started pinching the goat's fur, which I think means she was trying to pet.
Cora has been working on her squats, which led to the world's slowest game of peekaboo! It was SO funny though.
She got some good face time with Papa too.
And helped Cole play the piano!
Saying goodbye was sad! But look at that smile of hers!
It really bodes well when this happens, especially when Cora does this and screams in front of our whole flight.
She was playing peekaboo.
We had some really REALLY nice people on our flights. We sat next to a man who was just coming from seeing HIS grandkids in California, so he didn't mind when Cora would try to stand up next to him and whatnot. We also had the seat between us free, so when Cora wanted nothing more than to crawl around (not an option) she sat here for a little while. There was also a girl that I have said I believe is my guardian angel. She folded up my stroller for me, offered me HER first class seat to let Cora stretch out on, and brought her a fresh chocolate chip cookie from first class. Since that was right after Cora cried for 15 minutes and fought me to get down on the ground, I really really appreciated it. So be nice to the parents flying alone with the kids!
Hello Bluebell.
Cora had plenty to say about getting pilot wings from a flight attendant. I was just trying to take a picture, but she just started talking.
And we made it home! Look at those 2 buddies. Brandon said she looked way bigger than when we left.
Such a fun trip. Both my parents were out of town twice and it would have been fun to see them more, but that was the whole reason we flew out. And I said I will only fly across time zones by myself to see grandparents, because it is EXHAUSTING! Cora is currently awake for the second time in 3 hours... Oh boy. But we loved the trip, can't wait to go back in 6 weeks!
