The thing About Gravity is...

Gravity is always waiting for me.  It is relentless, simply relentless.  And it won't stop until I am lying flat on my back on the ground.  Apparently, I am not the only one suffering the effects of gravity.  Please see photo...

On our most recent camping trip to Heise near Julian,  I, being the kind and understanding spouse that I am, took the kids for an early morning stretch to leave Ginny reading in the quiet solitude of our trailer.  We just went to the other side of the campground, up a hill, around a bend, you know.  The kids on scooters and I was riding my bike.  

Everything went great going.  As we returned to the trailer, we came to the hill we climbed earlier.  I thought simply reminding the kids that they should proceed with caution would be sufficent for them to stay safe, and we started down.  I was in front keeping what I thought was a slow pace, when I hear the crunching sound of what can only be a aluminum scooter grating on asphalt, I stop and turn just in time to see Cole crumble in a heap near the side of the road. Addy flies by, watching in terror as Cole goes down and loses control of her scooter and skids by me on both knees and her rear.  

Now, it is like 7 in the morning and we are screaming at the top of our lungs.  Way to start the camping trip.

Cole suffered a pretty good scrape on his elbow there, Addy got both knees, but her biggest wound can't be photographed, if you can pick up what I am throwing down...

They are both fine now and Cole shows everyone we meet his badge of courage.  Which, as you can imagine, makes for great grocery store conversation.  

"hey mister...want to see the wound from when my dad sent me down the hill on a scooter with no brakes?"  

Well, we survived and ended up actually having a great time.  Here Ginny and Addy are enjoying a chick flick as the boys and I play games.

Tyler and Cole met some camp kids and they built this great fort.  They spent the weekend covered in dirt. 

We also recently started a treehouse.  Here are some shots of it under construction.

So I am Lazy...

About three weeks ago, I realized two things...

First, I really takes me a long time to mow our lawn.  Even with a tractor.  Usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half.

The second thing I realized was that Tyler was probably heavy enough to weight the automatic cut off switch, which turns the tractor off if you stand up.  

As a result of the previous two realizations, I give you: Farmer Tyler

We, of course, make sure he has his hat on and that he has plenty of water.  He does a pretty good job too.  We pay him $2/ mow,  he is free next weekend. Any takers?

Country Living...

Fall again,

Of course all that means here is you have to wear pants.  

It also means pumpkins, and living right next to Bate's Nut Farm, we will get plenty.

Here are Ty, Cole and Addy deciding which pumpkin is the best....

And of course here is Ginny being very blassee about the whole thing..

Bates was super crowded, so we didn't stay long.  I have never seen that many people there before.

We ran down, checked in our scarecrow entry, grabbed a pumpkin and bailed.  We will head down next week after all the excitment has died down a bit. 

Here are the kids and their "Fireman Frank" entry into the scarecrow contest.

We are pretty sure none of these items will ever be heard from again, that's why Frank is waving goodbye...

Here is Frank demonstrating his disco moves as he awaits to be judged.  (Frank, is the one in the middle, with the orange head...)

There were some great enteries, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Michael Phelps, the Little Mermaid, and some other really great scarecrows.

 

Busy August: Cousins, School, & Sword Fighting

No really, are you ready for some great looking kids?

This first day of school was a tough one. Our last first day of Kindergarten.

But at least the outfit looked good, right?

Cole and Ty were equally good looking in their new school gear.

Addy was extremely excited to start school, and was a little dismayed later Monday evening as realization dawned...."I have to go back tomorrow too?"

If you dare (this is a painful clip) but I call it "Keeping time is hard and PA systems seemed like a good idea"

Is this my life or a REI commercial? Otherwise known as Summer '08

We like to go.

There is definitely no question about it, we like to go.

Mike and I have just finished a ride(where I crashed twice.)

The Grand Canyon.  Notice Ginny's nervous smile as she clutches to Addy to keep her safe...  :)

Camping at Carlsbad.

Camping at Carlsbad was one of our best weeks ever.

Same Sunset.  

See, we like to do stuff.  Which is one of the main reasons we love San Diego.  There is all this great stuff to do around here.

 

That is one content family, who hasn't had to think about anything except...um,...no we didn't even think about that.

This summer has been great, mostly thanks to my beautiful yet restless Ginny.  

Growing up her parents took her on many exciting adventures.  And the tradition continues...

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Such a great campsite.  Right on the beach.

Hopefully this is the kind of stuff they will remember forever.

Kayaking at La Jolla

Hiking Zion National Park

Ok, I know, not in CA, but still close enough to drive. 

La Jolla Cove, looking for sea life is a favorite pastime.

We just really like to get out and do stuff.

We search "great cheap things to do with kids in San Diego".  We pack a lunch, or two complete vehicles, four backpacks, three suitcases, a rooftop carrier, two burros, and an emergency kit complete with fresh underwear for everybody...and we go.

Now everybody has a blog

As I type this one handed, I am realizing that this month, my kung fu was not strong. Please see photo.  

Yes, those are pins in my hand. Along with 30 or so stitches from surgery. A permanent reminder of my mortality.  I get to see my hand again on Sept. 4th.

On a lighter note, my cast matches most of my wardrobe and brings out the blue in my eyes...I'll post pics of that later.

I will get through some of our best summer experiences and then stay current.  I will probably throw in some random mutterings about the struggle for self identity, the decisions we make that affect our personal growth or stagnancy, what music I am currently listening to, and finally, any new chili sauces I come across.  And like any good piano lounge, I take requests...