A Stroll at Pismo Beach

Of our 16 nights/days on the Central Coast this was our 1 and only walk on the actual beach. I know crazy right. I learned on our last trip not to try to take both boys by myself and since Dave was at a conference the first week we only made it this once. As you can see it was quite cold which is another reason we didn't go down more. Anyway, Garrett loves the walk, Gannon discovered the water!

Heading out to the water
I have no idea by Gannon started this, but they are pretty dang cute when they do it. This pose is accompanied by a grunt. Who knows!

Oh look - water

And there he goes - Garrett was yelling hurry Mom get him. Gannon really didn't care that the water was freakin freezing! Garrett totally freaks out even when is brother wants to go in the water let alone him! Mr. Protective already.

Look sand

Mustang Water Slides

Mustang Water Slides is a small water slide park inside the Lake Lopez Campgrounds with a perfect kiddie slide area. The park is only open in the afternoons and since our kids don't wake up from naps until around 3 it was a perfect couple of hours each day we went. Thank goodness we had the boys in swim lessons prior to our trip because they were both ready to get right in the water when we got there. Since most days the high was only in the low 70's the water was a bit cold. Garrett and Gannon didn't care! The kiddie slide area is only about 2 1/2 feet deep in the deepest spot so Garrett could walk the entire pool alone and was very comfortable doing so, and Gannon could do most and wanted to do all!

The first day we took the boys life jackets and by the end they had them off and didn't use them again. By the end of the first day (which remember was only 2 hours) Garrett was going up the water stairs and down the slides all by himself! This is HUGE for a little guy that has always been so afraid of the water. Gannon on the other hand has no fear and by about the second hour was very upset that I wouldn't let him climb the stairs without help. Dude you're not even 1 1/2 yet, you need help.

The BEST part about the water slides is that during the boys nap time I would head up and work on my tan for a couple of hours prior to their arrival. I came home with a GREAT start for our next vacation!

Second best part of the slides was that on our final day Shannon and Karley joined me early and so Karley and I could ride the big slides. There are only 2 slides that are 600 feet and The Stampede which is 38 feet down and 38 feet up the other side - what a thrill. Karley wouldn't ride this one with me, but I have no fear of going alone. I had to ride this one 4 times to try all the different techniques and tubes to get the best rides!

Garrett on day 1
Gannon trying his hardest to get away from Daddy so he can get back in the pool

This was the kiddie slide area - super cute.

Gannon's favorite slide

Garrett's favorite slide

Aunt Heather and Dante joined us one afternoon

Mr. Confident in the pool

Our little family at the slides

Time to walk back to the trailer....

Lake Lopez

Week 2 of our Central Coast RV vacation was spent at Lake Lopez. We had tons of fun and the boys really enjoyed it. A great part of this trip was that our phones didn't work and we only got one channel on the TV, basically the news! This meant lots of pure family time. Daily nature walks, bike rides, time at the park, flying kites, water slides (see next post), and almost nightly campfires. We saw lots of wild turkeys, deer, cranes, crows and Garrett's favorite the squirrels.

First night - campfire for two!

Morning nature walk

Hours of entertainment - the swings

Flying the Toy Story kite for the first time

Friday night BBQ and campfire with family and friends

Gramma Toni and Dave

Heather, Dante, and Juan

I think I was smashing poor Dave, hurry take the picture

2010 Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Agriculture Program in California

At the CATA conference banquet Atwater was awarded the state winner for the large program outstanding program. It was a fun night and exciting for the group at Atwater. Congratulations to the group!

Arrr - Pirate Ship

The hit of Pismo Sands was definitely the pirate ship! Garrett was in heaven, singing the Backyardigans pirate song. We went into town and I picked up a small treasure box and a couple beaded dolphin necklaces (treasures) and this was not only a hit for Garrett, but the entire playground. Hours of entertainment with this treasure box and lots of "where did he get that?" questions from the other kids.

Since Dave was at a conference all week, we spent lots of time at this pirate ship! Gannon loved the slide and the concrete steps leading to the ship...why he can't just play in the sand is beyond me. He is our little explorer and sand get boring.

Avila Barn

Cousin Calam's 1st job is at the Avila Barn so we rode with Aunt Shannon to take him to work and let the boys run around and feed the goats. We took a picnic lunch and bought some food for the animals. I handed Gannon a piece of the cucumber and he didn't realize it was for the goats - he tried to eat it himself. Once I showed him to stick it through the fence for the goats he understood and enjoyed feeding the rest of the bag.

Cousin Karley was Garrett's favorite the second we got into town so it was no surprise that he stayed right by her the entire day.

Camping - RV Style

We survived 9 nights on camping, RV style, in Oceano. It has actually been very good. Thanks to my Mom the trailer is amazingly dark so naps have been great and night time sleeping is just as normal as at home! The boys and I even spent our first night without Daddy, which was not too bad either, until morning. When I woke up I realized it was a little cold and the heater wasn't working, the gas had run out. Thankfully we have two tanks, so a quick text to Dave and I had the heater up and running again. Off to make pancakes per Garrett's request - smoke alarm was set off again. So Gannon had to settle for a bagel.

Camping RV Style - wake up in a nice warm bed, have a quick cup of coffee, and watch a little movie. Laundry at the campground is great, I wish I had 4 washers at home, makes the laundry time a whole lot less!