John Joseph Metzidis, Esq.

One of Katia's closest friends from UCLA came down to visit for the weekend. We are proud to tell you that John has just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. What a stud. I guess we're a bit premature with the title as he has yet to take the bar. Sure looks good though. Congratulations Senator!

There goes the neighborhood

It's official, mark the calendar for May 26, 2008. Caden has a freckle. It's on his right shin, just off the corner of the zoom highlight.

Weekend in OB

Back to Ocean Beach this weekend for a belated birthday dinner with Grandad. The wee ones helped make funny faces and blow out the candle.

Life of Riley

The old man spent most of the day up in Orange County. But I was fortunate to return bearing gifts. Nothing cheers the wee man like a nice soft comfy place to lie about. Thanks to the Browns and Helmans for the spread.

Ladies Man

Another day, another lunch, another batch of melted hearts...

Scared Straight

After three straight diaper blow-outs, Caden has officially graduated from N to size 1. Next thing you know he'll be riding a bike. At any rate we popped down to Babies-R-Us for a few items and some new diapers. At the checkout line, sticky fingers Caden lifted a glow in the dark binky. Thankfully, they have an on-premises Scared Straight Toddler program. We hope this will put an end to that sort of behavior.

Fat and happy

It appears a steady diet of formula and hours of napping have an effect on the lil man. Training to become the Michelin Man perhaps. Caden hit 12 lbs on the scale today.

Peninsula Friendly

With temperatures soaring to record highs, Peninsula Football fans readied for Sunday's highly anticipated match. The Peninsula U6 League showcased their premier talent in a year end friendly between the Lightening Bolts and the Red Hawks. Despite the high heat, both teams looked inspired through warmups adding to the crowd's anticipation.

The Bolts 5 took the pitch with both barrels loaded. The famed combination of Ben and Elsa Kurth, wearing the home yellows, met the Red Hawks with unbridled enthusiasm. Early on Benny missed a sitter when he lost his footing, and the momentum was lost. The Red Hawks speed at the wings and the high heat proved insurmountable as the brave little Bolts gave in to the pressure.

I suppose it was the heat, but even young Caden wasn't too excited to meet the stars after the game.

Skyden Cadler

So my sister Kris was going through some old pics of her kids. She came across a picture of her first born Skylar at just a few weeks of age. The side by side comparison is almost a perfect match. On the one hand, Skylar who is now 8yrs is just gorgeous and pretty as can be. But does that mean my son looks like a girl?!?!

Lunch in the city

Gayle and the hammer decided to head into town and lunch with the ladies. Caden worked on impressing the gals with his calm cool demeanor, while the ladies tried to talk business.

Friendly Neighbor

Monday, when I returned home from work, Gayle told me all about a quick little adventure. In the early afternoon, she and Caden were playing 'watch mom make funny faces' when the dogs started barking. Sure the dogs bark all the time, but this was rather frantic and quite close to the house. She peeked out the window to make sure it wasn't an unexpected (human) visitor. She just caught the tail end of a snake slither around the corner of the house.

Not much goes by on the ranch without Gayle's documentation. Caden's sleep, how much we eat, animal changes, weather, fires, ranch improvements, weed growth and of course...critters. By the time G made it outside with the camera...he was gone.

Tuesday afternoon and we find Gayle and Caden furthering their studies. Today's exercise was screaming roll over. Place lil guy on his stomach for some tummy time and he'll scream, roll and relax. I guess he just likes to look up and see the world around him.

Just like Monday afternoon, the dogs kick into watchdog command and sound the alarm. This time G, had camera in hand. Crikey look at the size o that gal.

More Critters

Maybe it was the stories of the big snake that had me on edge. Perhaps it was the story the following night when Gayle found a three and a half foot racer snake on our doorstep. (he was too quick for the camera) Or maybe it was due to Gayle waking me in the middle of the night a couple nights back to tell me of the scorpion in our hallway. (he was small, though I have noticed I'm wearing my sandals more often) For whatever reason, I haven't been quite as calm lately.

When I was writing the above post about the snake, I decided I should probably figure out our new friend's length. Since he was slithering next to the front bricks it should be simple. So I count the bricks and head out front with a tape measure. As I'm stretching out the tape, counting bricks, I realize that damn snake was 5 ft long. Whew, I better double check my measurements. As I start over I hear a rustling in the rosemary. Now one must realize, our dogs spend hours a day chasing lizards in the rosemary. Works as a perfect cologne prior to dinner. At any rate, I peer over looking for the scurrying lizard. Crikey, it's a damn tortoise and she's huge. Must have wandered up from the creek.

I dart off to grab the camera, and find Gayle napping. "Gayle there's a damn turtle the size of a freaking bowling ball in our front rosemary!!!" Gayle peeks one eye open enough to see the excitement on my face..."I was wondering how long it would take you to notice that cement turtle I put out there." Damn. Kinda hit me all at once. I am an idiot.

Cousin Charles Harrison Lee

My brother Terry and his wife Sonia welcomed their son into the world, May 11 at 6:37pm. 8 pounds, 8 ounces and a whopping 21.5 inches. We're pleased to report that everyone is doing well.

Road Trip

Saturday was our first true road trip. A nice trip to sunny Riverside, complete with a short layover in Escondido. Few pleasures in life can compete with the family roadie. We were docked style points from the get go as we don't own a '72 Country Squire woody station wagon, yet we were determined to enjoy the ride.

We left the ranch a mere ten minutes behind schedule. Not bad for the first time pack and load. Little man went snoozemode as we made our way up I-15 for a stop Escondido. Enjoyed a quick visit with our friends Mike & Michelle and their extended family of children, dog, cat, kittens, granny, etc.

We then set a course for Riverside. It didn't take long at all. Maybe 30 minutes or so...and i was lost. I wasn't so much lost as I was simply nowhere near where I wanted to be. First I noticed we were about 10 miles east of target and traveling the wrong freeway, then a good 30 miles north, then about 5 miles east, followed by 3 miles west. At one point I put my pride on hold and pulled off the freeway, straight to a friendly donut shop. "Brother, where can I find I-215?" "It's the next exit, didn't you see the last three signs?" Great donut guy thinks I'm a jackass. At this point I gave up trying, got back on the freeway and drove 45mph in the middle lane with my blinker on.

So after a pleasant 2 hour tour of SoCal, we made our destination, enjoying a tremendous afternoon and dinner with the Newmans.

Coo-coo-roo-coo-coo

Thursday night and Caden was on the town. We again opted for the bustling metropolis of La Mesa, yet this time with a south of the border flair. We met friends for dinner at Marietta's and Caden had his first shot of Mezcal con gusano...with the worm. He screamed a bit, but took to it by the second shot. Actually, he slept the entire time. But it was his first Mexican fiesta, with the sweet smell of mole in the air and the sounds of Mariachi around us. In fact the mariachis had quite a soothing effect on him. I may have to learn a coo coo roo or two myself.

Visiting Hours

Well this week we had several make their way out to the ranch for a look-see visit. Our lil guy has a gift for playing possum the minute a new face arrives. So this week Caden was introduced to Robby and Todd.

Then along came Mary and Jason. I honestly don't think either of them actually saw an eye open.

A few days later Liza and her 2yr old pup Tannis came out for the afternoon. Our dogs, Sammy and Lizzie enjoyed the change of pace as they actually got to play with a stranger this time.

Goodbye Granny Lyons

Has it been a month already?!?! One month with Granny Lyons seems way too short. Despite my pleas to change her plans, she stuck to her itinerary.

Until this point in his young life, Caden has only known a ranch with his parents and a live-in Granny. We thought it best that he hear the news of her departure from the source herself. The news was a bit shocking at first, but Caden took the disappointment like a man.