Veterans Day Weekend.

So,
   We had a 3 day weekend and nothing on our plates. We decided to break out of town. A friend had told us of a camping and fishing lake in Tehachapi (not too far from here) so we decided to make our way up there to figure out if it might be a worthwhile overnight destination.

It was a lovely day for a drive. We went through some prime wind power country.

The actual park/ lake/ campground wasn't great. The campsites had almost no shade and the lake was more of a large pond. They had a playground straight out of 1974.

We probably won't be camping up there anytime soon but there was another place nearby that would work as a camping destination if this was the fishing hole. Tehachapi Mountain park was the next stop. The campground is on a mountain slope and due to fire concerns no campfires are allowed so we probably wont be stopping there either but it was mostly empty due to the late season so we got out and had a jaunt.

We played for a bit, Teresa banged her head really hard when a car door (mountain slope) came crashing corner first into her head then we left.

A was not happy about this and decided to cry a lot.

Busters equivalent of an eye roll.

We had one final stop on the list and it was sort of the secret reason that we wanted all of these places to work out as a camping/ fishing destination. Red House BBQ! We had been there before and it was amazing so we were looking for excuses to get up to Tehachapi again. We were able to sit outside with the dogs. We ordered our food and some local kids came up to us asking about the dogs. Fine. Happens a lot. Then they wouldn't leave. Then they walked away only to come back. Then we got our food and I figured they would take the hint. NOPE. Still trying to talk to us. Yes I know what a Coke Can says!. Yes I've heard about your dog! Yes she jumps I get it! GO AWAY!! Finally T had the sense to kindly insist that they leave us alone. Most of us devoured our food. Aiden did not on account of being grumpy, tired and temporarily dumb. We left much less satisfied than the previous visit on account of local kids, and our kids conspiring to create a terrible eating situation.

 That was our weekend. Probably less exciting than having a baby.

RTSZAB

Halloween 2013

Last weekend we went to the Lancaster BOO-levard. An annual halloween celebration where all the downtown businesses hand out candy. The Grover grandparents joined us. Z was Strawberry Shortcake and Aiden was Jake from "Jake and the Neverland Pirates". There were tons of people and not free activities.

 Dancers dancing.

It was fun to have them up. Since halloween is usually such a bust around here we thought this would be as good as it would get. We decorated the house anyways and on the 31st we started the day by putting on Zoey's costume to go to her preschool party.

Somehow I always get to her preschool too early so the kids play in the yard. I'm one of those get there on time types.

schools look like prisons.

That is a sweet Unicorn costume.

We dropped off Zoey and our AMAZING fruit tray and left. She had fun at the party.

That night we got the kids dressed again for Trick or Treating.

This Halloween was actually ok in our neighborhood. There still weren't a ton of houses handing out candy but there were a lot of families on the street and kids running around having a good time. Let's hope it continues to improve.

That is all,

RTSZAB

Lotsa Stuff.

So,
     It's been a while. I should do these more often but I get lazy. My laziness results in forgetting a bunch of things that happen and then doing giant picture dumps. So...

We went to a pumpkin patch.

Aiden wasn't really in a picture taking mood most of the day.

They had various community groups set up halloween tableaus in the corn field. This was our favorite.

Then the next week was my birthday. I bought a steak and BBQ'd. We had cake and hung out outside.

Our kids love dirt. Which is good because that is our entire yard.

And mud.

The dogs played too.

I cooked my ENORMOUS Rib eye.

Time to go clean up.

All clean and ready to eat.

BBQ and cheesy potatoes a family favorite.

Buster couldn't chill around all that meat so he ended up in here.

The family sang happy birthday and we ate cake. Hooray. Till next time.


RTSZAB

A Birthday and Mt Baden Powell

So,
    Despite the previous weeks celebration we also celebrated Aidens birthday on his actual birthday. There were gifts and cake. He is happy to be 3 years old.

A 3 year old and a 4 year old.

anticipation building!!!!

Pile of presents

His very own LAWNMOWER!!!! YEAH!!!

And a Minion Mobile!!!

He was really excited about the cake. Picked it out himself.

Blew out all of his own candles.

Then didn't eat ANY of it. Turns out he doesn't like cake (now). We tried scraping off the frosting still no go. With Ice Cream? NOPE. so we gave him some M&M's. He was happy with that.

Aiden is a good little dude. He's very gentle and kind, smart and curious. We're happy to have him in our family.

Then on Saturday I set out to hike Mt Baden Powell. It's on the PCT and a good warm up for MT Baldy. I brought Buster along and he did great. I let him off leash on the way down and he was amazing, he was happy as could be. It was about 8 miles round trip and 3,800 ft of gain/ loss up to 9,400 ft. As usual people all along the way were warm and friendly. Met an 85 yr old guy at the summit who was cracking jokes and entertaining. Also met a guy going up Whitney this week (lottery spot thief).

Summit Marker, Buster, Shadow

Monument to Lord Baden Powell, Boy Scout Founder. Guy in Red shirt on left is 85 years old. Fer reals.

Crazy Crooked Tree at summit.

This tree is 1,500 yrs old and marks the PCT junction.

Mt Baldy, 10,049 ft and next.

Fun ridge walk back from summit.

Buster Leading the way down the hill.

Downtown LA is about 30 miles away and 8,000ft down. Also could see Mt Wilson the last one I  hiked.

Punchbowl is on the left (previous hike) and my house is in the top left green belt.

Buster is in the shade of the car. He crashed hard after the hike but for a 4 month old puppy he was great to have along.

Happy Hiker.

That's all for now.

RTSZAB