Yosemite

Made our first trip to Yosemite. We met up with Terry and cousin Charlie, Granny and Grandad, Kris, Trev and cousins Skylar, Ben and Emily. Reminded me of growing up way back when. I was able to confirm my hunch...Yosemite is still beautiful.

Yosemite Falls

We all took the hike up to lower Yosemite falls. Great views of both falls. For late summer there was a crazy amount of water running through Yosemite. Felt like Spring.



Can't really tell from this pic but it felt more like I was standing in a sleet storm. The winds from the falls were howling and the cold water soaked us to the bone.

We hiked up the rocks to the pools at the bottom of lower Yosemite falls. There was way too much falling water to hit the big pool directly under the falls. The second level was tame enough. Takes a brave soul to dare the fresh snow melt waters...brrrrr.

Caden was sooo excited to jump in the water. Until he dipped his big toe in the near freezing water. Curled up like a bowling ball and started to scream.

Yosemite - Campsite

Here we are at the campsite. Lower pines and feeling pretty good. Caden's first time tent camping. All three of us in an 8x8 tent. Not bad at all really. G only woke me up once insisting a bear was knocking down our campsite. I had a brief scare the next night when I woke and didn't see Cade between G and me. Turned out he burrowed his way under Gayle's feet in the far corner of the tent.



All the cousins after we brokedown Camp Lee 2011.


Note the three tents in the camp. Far left is a tan two man setup for Terry and Charlie. Middle is the three man 8x8 for G, Cade and me. And then there's the wee orange tent on the right. Doghouse you guess? no the pups stayed home. It was cousin Charlie's port-a-potty complete with a magazine rack and the latest edition of Outdoor Life.

Grubby cousins...success.

Vancouver Summer

We went up to Vancouver for Bruce and Mom's birthday this year. It was a perfect low key, no hustle, hang out with family get away. Can't tell you how much fun it is to see four boys, all cousins...tearing up someone else's house.

Fourth of July

Went out to Mary and Jason's boat for the fourth. Perfectly sunny beautiful San Diego day. Their little grandaughter was out for the summer. Her name's Taylor but they call her Bug. Wee Bug was taking some sailing classes at Mission Bay. Apparently, she's an excellent student. As we were sitting about enjoying the day...she proceeded to tie up a hook on the fishing pole.

She went on to tell us how we needed to get some muscles from off the dock to bait her hook, then crunch up the remaining shell and toss it in the water so all the fish smell dinner being served. She hooked up two faster than I could say Barrett Fish Fry.

On her third try she landed the lunker. Her pole bent like a candy cane as she was nearly pulled from the dock. The big ole fish was taking line like nothing. There stood Bug holding steady patiently waiting for the big fish to dishearten. Line was wizzing out the reel as I stood watching the scene unfold. Fearing tanglement in the nearby boats, Jason jumped to Bug's side. Jason cranked down on the line's drag and ..... snip ... that big lunker severed the line, swimming on to freedom. In the ensuing silence I could read the look on Bug's face....'did I ask for anyone's help?'



Like a good Daddy, I paddled jr about the marina...

Chillin in the pool

What could be more fun than a summer afternoon with cousin charlie, uncle terry and a hose.

Happy Birthday old timer...

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'