Country Bumkins

This weekend we went with Dan's family 1 1/2 hours northeast to a town called Oak Glen. To again get our "fall fix" we ventured out into the countryside. There were apple orchards where the kids could pick apples. Cider mills, craft booths and farm animals. The kids had fun in the countryside. And we returned with a big apple crisp, a bag of hand picked apples and a jug of cider. (Nothing tastes more like fall.)

I had to post this picture of Dan's mom sporting her avaiator sunglasses. STYLIN' (And the view behind them was just rolling hills as far as the eye could see. Very pretty in the smog.)

Pumpkin City

As is tradition every year, we made the annual visit to Pumpkin City. We have been going for about 16 years now. Long beofre the kids were born. The kids get ready by scrounging around in the old costume box to assemble some makeshift halloween costume to wear. I don't think they even realize that none of the other kids there are not dressed in costume. They love going and get a glimpse of farm animals and revel in what any other kid in america would think to be boring and no big deal. They get to see ducks, ponies, cows, pigs, goats and other miscellaneous farm animals. They walk in straw and go on a carnival ride or two. Since it is still 80 degrees here its the only way we have of knowing the seasons are changing.

Ashley got to see real pink pigs. Her favorite animal.

The cutest pig in Pumpkin City.... and I didn't even have to pay to pet him!

Go Speed Racer...GO!

Another day in the carefree life of Heidi.

Doggie Poo Bags

After 3 hours of fighting the kids to get the house cleaned. I took them on a bike ride on Oso Creek Trail. We stopped and waited for Dan to meet up with us and the kids started playing with the complimentary dog poo bags. As we sat there we noticed the nicest smell... it was that of baby powder and gardenia mixed together. After further investigation we figured out it was the poo bags. Who would have guessed! Needless to say they each took one home.

"Special" picture of Audra

Seems I'm not the only one in the family that looks like a tard in a bike helmet.
Photo: courtesy of Amber

Hansel & Gretel (Cali style)

I bought a new bike seat last week to replace the one that has molested me for years every time I rode my bike. This one is mix between a saddle and a beach cruiser seat. I call it the "wide load" seat. Nevertheless, it is much more comfortable. So today we decided to take a ride (before everything catches on fire) while the kids were in school. We rode from Mission Viejo down to San Juan Capistrano and could have hit the beach if we kept going. The trail was dirt and we were truly mountain biking at some times because we didn't know where the trail was. We got a little lost. And what should have been an hour ride turned into a 2 hour ride/walk. The trials were not clearly marked and we ended up on a coyote/horse dung trail. There were some sandy parts of the trail that you could not ride in and we had to cross a creek 4 times. My legs got scratched because the trail wasn't wide enough for a person. And I was terrified of rattlesnakes and mountain lions. We eventually made it back to the right trail and got home in time to pick up Heidi from preschool. It was all and all very fun and I think I will do it again next week, with the exception of getting lost.

P.S. You really can ride through sand if you're going fast enough.

P.S.S. Dan says I look like a tard in my helmet.

Scootin

Dan was sitting in his car in San Diego the other day and took this random video. It ranks up there as a work of art- in and of itself. The simplicity in this is captivating. So Hilarious! For your added viewing pleasure click on Mr. Knickerbocker on our music playlist on the sidebar. A true multimedia experience and a feast for your senses.