Cachuma Yurting

Our introduction to camping started with a couple yurts at Lake Cachuma. A perfect couple days outside of the first night when gale force winds reduced our campfire to the warmth of a candle.

Driving up to Lake Cachuma

First Official Haircut

First time in the chair for the lil guy. He did pretty well. I think it was the lollypop bribery that kept him calm.

Roast Beef

So Caden is up to his usual...tearing about the house, playing, dismantling and the like. He comes barreling down the hallway, tries to navigate the turn into the kitchen and promptly stubs his toe on the corner of the wall. He goes down like a sack of potatoes, in a crumpled heap right at momma's feet. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Soothingly, momma comes to is aid "Oh I'm sorry baby, are you ok? did you hurt your toe?"
Waaaaaa yyeeeesssssss waaaaaaaaaaaa
Oh, you poor thing, show me where it hurts.
waaaaaaaaaa myyy fooooooooooot waaaaaaaaaa
Ok which toe did you hurt?
waaaaaa Roast Beeeeeeeeef waaaaaaaaaaaaa
Gayle gives pause, then the motherly instinct clicks...this lil piggy went to the market, this lil piggy stayed home, this lil piggy had roast beef.
'Oh this middle toe here? let me kiss it to make it all better'
'Thank you momma sob sob'

Truth to the rumor

So it's true. Saturdays we've been loading up the family and headed over to Mr. Mo's Aloha Ranch for some riding lessons. One of us plays with Cade while the other rides then we switch it up. It's been pretty fun.

Happy Easter

Spring Eggstravaganza

Turns out the Saturday before Easter, Santee Lakes req park has a festival with egg hunts, rides and all kinds of fun. Caden was pretty excited so I went straight to the ticket line to stock up on tickets. As I was there I took a look at the menu. Some highlights:

Big slide 3 tix, he should like that.
Blow up jumping castle 2 tix, sounds fun.
Bumper cars 5 tix, prolly not old enough.
Pony rides 5 tix, oh that's right up his alley.
Elephant rides 4 tix, wow no foolin, this I have to see.

So I took a roll of tickets and we headed out for an elephant adventure. Apparently my imagination got the best of me.


I'd have to say the big slide was the day's favorite. But a close second was the pony ride. Our lil cowpoke was about as excited as could be.


Maybe it was spending the day at the rodeo last week, but as soon as the ponies started walking, Cowboy Cade put his hand up and was trying to make the whistle. When the guy running the ride stopped the ponies, he asked Caden if he make the whistle, lol.

Nightly Ritual

This is how most nights wind down on the ranch. M-Alright buddy, time for bed. Let's go brush those bucks. G- Teeth, brush your teeth. Don't say bucks, kids will make fun of him. C-I wanna brush my teeth. Daddy can i have Thomas tooth soap. No I want bear tooth soap. M-You want bear tooth soap. C-No Thomas tooth soap, I want Thomas tooth soap.


He's actually a pretty good brusher. And can spit like a AA pitcher.


And then after the rinse...'Daddy do the moostache'

Granny's Birthday

What to do for Granny's birthday? Why not load up the kids and head out to the Lakeside Rodeo. We got there a little early and took a tour of the chutes. Had a little lunch and then the show began. It was about 90 so hats and sunscreen were in order...as were the ice cream floats and a cool drink of water.

We brought out the cousins for the show as well. The third event was highly anticipated. Stick horse race for kids 3 to 6. At 3 yrs and 2 weeks Cowboy Cade was a tad younger than most. But Emily had the other end of the spectrum. Here they are at the starting line...


Emily rounded the corner in a tie for first, but a late stumble cost her the win. She's the gal closest to the camera with the hat falling off. She had those boys right where she wanted em.


Young Caden on the other hand...never got out of the starting block. At one point all the kids were lined up as Cade clung to my leg. The announcer says 'wait a minute I see a young cowboy short on legs big on boots in the back row.' At which point two rodeo queens come over to escort our lil guy to the starting line. He burst out in tears like they were coming to string him up. But he sure looked good standing there with a slight tremble in his knees.


Fun day with the family. We all had a great time.

Pillow pad

I don't know what it is about lil boys...but this one loves to sleep on his tractors. Here's a typical 2 tractor setup. Form the base with a Caterpillar dozer sidled up to a Deere, top with blanket.

Birthday Morning

Happy Birthday lil buddy. Big day on the ranch planned. By 7am Caden was getting ready. Cowboy hat, check. Cowboy boots, check. Jumbo plastic bat, check. Backup bat and balls, check. Bob the Builder tool belt, check. Various plastic tools, check. Forgot to change out of jammies...typical.

Dressed and ready for guests

Ranch Play

Kids bucking station, feeding the animals, ride the tractor...all the usual ranch day play fun items.

Birthday Cake

Party Time