Legoland with Deb and Kathryn

Gayle and Cade went for a day of fun and adventure at Legoland with our friend Deb and her lovely daughter Kathryn. The only downside was prying an unruly Cade off the final playground at closing time. Determined,that one.

Added Chores

Well Gayle and I decided to save money on our ever climbing electricity bill by burning wood this winter. I read once where burning wood is the most effecient means of warming yourself. It warms you three times...once when you chop down the tree, again when you split the wood and finally when you burn the wood.

Here's a couple lumberjacks headed out for the second warming session.


Speaking of chopping wood, I have a confession. I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed. I’m just a tool.

I decide to chop a weeks worth of wood, so I head out to the wood pile with an axe and a sledge hammer. Now here’s the problem…the axe is a wee little 2 lb job that hasn’t been sharpened since 2004 and since I can’t locate my sledge hammer…the best I can do is a framing hammer. 30 min into this adventure I’ve split maybe 2 logs for a grand total of maybe 5 pieces of wood.

Here’s what it takes to make a split…hurl the axe with all my might at log. Axe is now stuck and removing is impossible. So I take the framing hammer and belt away at the back end of the axe until my hands and arms are numb and the log mercifully splits. Repeat.

60 minutes in, the axe handle shreds/snaps, the blade makes a break for freedom flying into the wood pile and I, your humble outdoor enthusiast, fall to my knees in a crumpled heap of sweat and exhaustion. And there I sat, sharing a laugh with my new friend, despair, as we count our 8 pieces of ready made firewood.

So that night, as I swiftly burn through what little firewood I have, I hit the information highway to learn all there is to know about splitting wood. The next day at 7a finds me checking out of Lowes with a splitting maul, new axe handle and a couple sharpening stones. Splitting maul…8 lb head to give it some drive, the same 36in. handle, sharp as a razor and wide enough not to get stuck. Who knew this fantastic piece of genius existed. I felt as mighty and proud as Paul Bunyan walking out the door.

Feeding Time

Caden really likes helping feed the horses. Really I think he likes putting on his hat and boots, then riding the tractor down to the hay. But he giggles everytime the horses come near.

The Daredevil Kaden Knievel

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving at the Manoukians

Campo Railway Museum

Took a drive out to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. The old steam engine is in disrepair, but they have it on display. They also have a diesel engine that runs along an hour long track to the border. Imagine a dusty wind blown version of Sodor Island.

Makin Pancakes

What could be more fun...

Airplane ride to Vancouver

Caden's first airplane ride. Proved to be entertaining for all, including the random lady Caden tried to flash...

Warm summer days

Staying inside trying to stay cool.

Baby Sushi

INGREDIENTS:

1 Ripe Banana
2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter

DIRECTIONS:
Peel banana. If you want to impress friends and toddlers alike, don't peel by using the stem handle like normal people. Rather, pinch the other side and peel away while telling your amazed audience you learned this by studying monkeys in the wild.

Now break the banana in half. Take one of the halves and slowly pinch the banana meat, breaking into three natural banana slices. Perform the same magic on the other half and you will have six banana slices.

You're now within 5 minutes of serving, yet your toddler has probably finished his or her milk. Because down time leads straight to tantrum time when strapped to a chair, I suggest serving three bare banana slices as an appetizer.

With the three remaining slices, lay each slice out with the rounded side down against the cutting board. Slather somewhat liberally peanut butter across the point of the two sides that are facing up.

With your shapest sushi knife, slice at a 90 degree angle. As the Dutch say, walla!

Ride em

Mouse Tub

Wee lil field mouse got stuck in our tub. Ah country life...

Gorilla Face

For today's viewing pleasure, we have two skinny white guys on a tractor performing silverback gorilla face. Lovely.

Happy Birthday Buckeroo

Nearly forgot to mention...we bought the lil ranch hand his first hat for his birthday.

Go Go Tractor

I usually get home from work between say 6 and 7. This is dinner time and Gayle has Caden in his chair eating. Well, nibbling and throwing is more like it. But we're working on the throwing bit. At any rate, the second Caden hears the door open, he starts in with his #1 request. "Go go tractor?" It's a struggle to finish up dinner with the now distracted youngster, but soon enough we head out.

I think it's like a reverse parade for him. We drive around at about 1 mph and the entire time he's waving and say hello to everyone. "Hi Swing! Hi Tree! Bye Swing! Hi Cherry! (one of the horses) Hi Fence! Bye Ramone! Hi Swing!"