FOUR years old at Alisal

First off, I want to announce that I am FOUR years old!   I celebrated at school with our special sun-earth song, candle, and happy birthday song.  Then at home with Mama, Dada and Miss Heather.  I enjoyed being the center of attention for the day.  I got a few special (educational) toys like a solar system project and a clock that is helping me learn to tell time.  But for birthdays, we do special experiences more than gifts...and this year I got to go to the fair!  My Pennsylvania cousins, Laura, Harper and Lexi were in town (they came early for Alisal, see below) - and we all had a blast on the rides and viewing the animals at the fair.

FOUR years ago, 2lbs 9oz

My pile of presents

My bubble machine and windmill generator from Miss Heather

Setting up bubbles with Dada

Playing MagnaTiles with Laura, Harper and Lexi

Big slide with Dada

Around and around we go

With Laura and Harper - figuring out where to go next 

Pony ride!

Bouncy House

Having fun with Lexi

Then came time to go to Alisal Dude Ranch in Solvang.  We spent a wonderful long weekend there - and I didn't want to leave!  This was the 42nd year in a row that Dada's family has gone to the Alisal.  In 1994 there were 7 people...this year there were 20!

I somehow remembered everything from last year when I was barely three, and couldn't wait to re-experience many things.  The barnyard, horseback riding, shuffleboard, dancing, swimming, hay wagon ride...all of it!  I loved playing with all my cousins the most, and even cooperated for a few photos.  It's so hard to sit still and take a picture when there are so many fun things to do!

Family photo before dinner

Granddad and Boppy with all eight grandkids:  Logan, Laura, Declan, baby Davis, Sophie, Owen, Harper, and Lexi

The whole gang:  L to R:  Kendall, Kevin with Logan, Boppy, Sophie, Kristi, Hans, Laura w/ baby Davis (front), Granddad with Owen, Harper (front), Beth, Mama, Declan, Dada, Chloe with Lexi, Chris

feeding the guinea pigs and rabbits




Logan helps too!

Doesn't my tortoise make a great stool?

Holding a Dragon!  I was so disappointed that he doesn't actually breathe fire!

Putting a parakeet on Granddad

Holding a blue-tongued skink

Plenty of time for horsey riding with Boppy

Another lap with Mama!

Pool time with Granddad!

Riding with Harper

Relaxing after a swim with Cousin Logan

...and more relaxing with Dada...

The orca is even more fun out of the water:  Harper, Declan, Logan and Lexi

Who needs clothes??  Showing off my feather collection with Logan

Say Cheese!

Kids table at dinner

Grabbing a double milk at the bar after dinner

Snuggling by the fire in the Oak Room after dinner with Mama

All dressed up for dinner (another night)

...except I never made it to dinner awake...

Thank goodness for portable beds...

With Cousin Harper and Uncle Kevin on the hay ride

Chowing down on pancakes after the breakfast ride

Deep in conversation with second cousin Michael

Good family conversation at pancake breakfast

My first Water balloon toss!

My version of shuffleboard - see who can run to the other end the fastest...

My boy cousins: baby Davis and Owen

Celebrating the July birthdays with Auntie Beth and Granddad

Rocking out to the band with Lexi

Birthday family dancing circle

Come on and dance Mama!

And more dancing with Laura

And Granddad really got into the spirit of fun!

What a wonderful weekend! I'm already excited about going again next year.