Nate's But Farm.... I mean Bate's Nut Farm.

This was our first time as a family to Bate's

It was actually my first time ever to Bate's even being a native San Diegan.

From the second we got there (could have been the long car ride there)

the kids went bonkers.

So much to do...

Feeding and petting the farm animals

Going on the pony ride... although he chose to pet the pony instead of ride it (said he didn't like the poo on the ground)

Picking out our $70 pumpkins (ok I'm exaggerating, but it was more than I thought it would be.... but I support local family owned businesses so I'm not complaining)

Picking out (and eating) yummy bags of candy... And can you believe it? The candy store was not their favorite part...

This was...

The look on his face was priceless.

 Oh! Here it comes!

Tractor ride!

 Feet firmly planted on the hay

 Holding on to dear life (because for a 20 month old this feels like a real ride)

 Looking at all the amazing things the pumpkin patch had to offer.

Truly a child's dream come true.

And when it was over, I watched him gaze over every now and again looking at the kids that were riding the tractor wishing he could do it again...

That is until

His best friend showed up.

Screw the tractor, Grayson's here!

Oh what fun did they have.

See you next year Bate's.

Thanks for giving this beach family a taste of the country life.

Tractor Museum

When I was just a little girl, I used to live in a splendid little house in a cul-de-sac on Felicita Lane in Vista, California.

The neighborhood was pleasant, lots of kids running around, but the best part of it was the view from my backyard...

Acres and acres of grass and fields.

So much so that I remember my mother always telling me to stay out of that area because of the coyotes and strangers that would walk in the field.

True story: I once found a crazy man with a knife on our chicken coop. How he got into our yard... of course through the field.

Anyhow, not to get off topic, at the bottom of the field was the Old Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum.

If you grew up in Vista, or even anywhere near it, you've been here on a elementary school field trip. I know I did, SEVERAL times.

 

I didn't think much of it then, nor did I appreciate the history and story it had to offer, so recently I went back with Wes and our kids.

Needless to say, we were all in awe... well not so much for Sunday, but she still had fun.

Finn's favorites were the tractors

Getting to sit on one is any boy's dream come true.

He was so excited he couldn't resist giving his sister a big hug.

My favorite was the old cars. 

Each had it's own story.
Where they had been. The earth they had seen. The people they had met.

And Sunday's favorite was playing on the gigantic wheels.

I remember this blacksmith building. When we came here for field trips there would be men working in the building... striking the iron, loud noises, hot air... putting every child in intrigue.

In the little town we saw this old gas station. This is a real pump donated from Valley Center. Yes, that says 20 cents a gallon and yes, Wes is doing a double take to see if it really does say that.

While the boys "oooh-ed and ahhh-ed" there was only so much tractor looking us girls could do. So Sunday and I took a little break, that is until they found this...

 

A 1948 Studebaker.
For Wes this car reminded him of his late grandfather Carl.
According to him, HE. LOVED. THIS. CAR.
The entire time we were at the museum, Wes kept saying "Carl would love this place."
So to see this, Wes couldn't have been more excited.
 He just had to get a picture of it to send to Carl's wife, Cynthia.

We wished Papa Big Truck could see this car, but I know he does from where he is and the best part is that he gets to also see his great grand daughter whom he never got to meet, Sunday Drew.
We miss you Papa BT!

Los Cabos

This last week I was blessed to spend my first (real) family trip to Los Cabos, Mexico.

It was just perfect.

Blue clear skies, sandy beaches

the resort was relaxing and beautiful

 (photo credit: Wes)

and the colors from the sunset to the tile countertops were so vibrant.

We kicked off our shoes

hung our hats

drank yummy drinks, including ones only for adults

and relaxed. Not a worry in the world.

 We spent time with our good friends, Chad, Opal, Grayson and baby Teagan and got to know (and really like) our new friends Kyle and Aleena.

Can you believe these two have known each other for over 2 decades? And we hope our boys will know each other for longer.

 Finn loved the pool and is officially a swimmer

The kids loved the evening car playing, dancing and night pool sessions

and the boys loved picking on Aleena. Poor girl!

We got to visit our favorite beach, Chileno Bay. (this is a 5 picture spread)

This place is breath taking. Just nature at it's best.

Finn found his hidden treasures

 While ours didn't ever need to be found. Our treasures have always been right in front of us. (Even if Sunday is off to the side!)
(photo credit: Wes)

Happy vacationing!
We hope to see you very soon Los Cabos. You were splendid.