Airplane

Knowing how incredibly picky I am... and have always been, when it comes to food, Jei & I were obviously very concerned when it came to Allen and his eating habits. But fortunately, it is quite clear that he has taken after his mother in that department. He is a great eater and will just about eat anything! But sometimes, a little motivation goes a long way! Still haven't understood why this is so amusing to so many kids... but he finds it hilarious. But more importantly, it totally helps him clean his plate... and that makes us happy!

A Moto-Birthday

Talk about bad timing... but this year's second round of the Fire & Police Motocross races landed smack dab on Jei's Birthday! We of course knew about the dates coinciding earlier in the year, so we weren't totally surprised about it, but that still doesn't make it any less sucky about having to spend Jei's Birthday at the motocross track. But at least someone was happy about it! Allen of course had no idea... but he certainly was happy about getting out of the house for a few days and going camping out at the track.   

"Score!!! I can't believe they left these out... like I wouldn't notice!"

Caught... orange-handed!

"Doritos? What Doritos?

I have no idea what you're talking about!"

The first day was nice and cool... so after some snacks, and while Daddy was out practicing, Jei & Allen snuggled up and spent the afternoon reading together.

Allen loves when Momma reads him some Knuffle Bunny!

After a good practice ride... I shed my riding gear,
changed and played a little soccer with Allen.

Allen... trying his best to bend it like Beckham.

"No fair Dad! There's no tackling in soccer!!!"

With no bike of his own to go out and ride...

Allen was super disappointed!

So we found the next best thing...
and got him out on the track!

Plastic, four wheels, and no motor...
I guess you have to start somewhere!

Looks like a motocross champion to me!

With no protective gear and me pulling him,

Allen sure was brave... and loved every minute of it!

As the sun slowly started to descend past the mountains, a buddy's super friendly dog stopped by to say hello... and to apparently steal some snacks from Allen too.

The next day was all about racing!

Finally... proof that I wasn't racing alone! Although with me bringing up the rear pretty much the entire race, it certainly felt like I was!

"Dad, you didn't look so good out there...

I think you need to eat something."

"Here, try this. Maybe these will make you go faster!?"

After a sub-par performance out on the track, not to mention being tired and hot... I just wasn't in the mood and didn't make for a good playmate that afternoon.

Allen obviously picked up on that...

and decided playing with rocks would be more entertaining.

No relaxing in the sun drinking margaritas on a beach for this Birthday Girl! It was her turn to take Allen out for a spin in his motocross wagon.

If there was any consolation to spending her birthday at the track,

it would definitely be the perfect weather we had!

Me and my track buddy...

just as happy as can be!

At the end of a couple of long days of racing...

I sit alone contemplating life...

and how in the world I managed to come in last place!

Birthday celebration or no birthday celebration, win or lose, at the track or at the spa... the most important thing was that we were together and had a really good time! At least that's what I told Jei anyway. Not sure if that made her feel any better though?!?  =)

Of course once we got home that night, we thawed out the Sara Lee Strawberry Cheesecake, lit a candle, and Jei finally had her birthday celebration!

"Please God don't let me spend my birthday

at a motocross track ever again!"

...as she blew out her candle!

Now don't feel too bad for her now... that cheesecake wasn't the only thing she got for her birthday. Moe-Joe hooked her up pretty good too, so a mega thanks goes out to her... as it probably made her birthday a little more tolerable.

Weirder Than Yours

So there we all were one afternoon just hanging out around the house... Dad-Oh napping in the recliner, Moe-Joe & Allen playing games on the iPad, Jei fixing Allen a snack in the kitchen, and me surfin the Net on the laptop... when I decided to check and see if Mandi had updated her blog. Sure enough, there was a brand new post... and judging from its title, I knew it was going to be good! It had only been a couple of weeks prior when a few coworkers had to sit me down and explain to me this new Internet meme or phenomenon called the Harlem Shake. We literally spent several hours talking about it and watching video after video of it on YouTube (your tax dollars hard at work!). Like with most Internet memes, it was weird, pointless, and stupid... but actually pretty darn hilarious. Anyway... the point is that I knew exactly what the video on the blog post was going to be about, and knew it had to be worth watching! Needless to say, once everyone heard the music and me laughing out loud... they all suddenly became very curious and wanted to know what I was watching.  

When asked if they had ever heard of the Harlem Shake, all I got in return were a bunch of blank stares. So, like what was done to me, I sat them all down and explained to them - both verbally and via YouTube video compilations, what exactly the Harlem Shake was. Once I thought they had a good grasp of the (strange) concept, I then showed them Mandi's blog post. Super cute and funny for sure... but more than anything, it sparked an idea! We all looked around at each other (okay, all of us but Dad-Oh!) and came to the conclusion that we could come up with our very own Harlem Shake video! 

It took some creative thinking... a little bit of closet digging... and a whole lot of peer pressure and convincing (Dad-Oh!)... but we finally came up with a plan.  So, in honor of Sammy and his inspirational Harlem Shake video, I give you... 

The Etheridge Harlem Shake!

Only one thing left to say after seeing that...

our family is definitely weirder than yours!!!

All Smiles

For the past several years now, we can pretty much always count on two things happening whenever Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh come to visit. The first, me and the old man battle it out on the golf course, where I always find myself one or two... or twelve strokes behind. And then I remember I work for a living and Dad-Oh now plays golf for a living... so I don't feel too bad. Competitive or not, it's still lots of fun. 

And second, we always make our way back to our favorite little lunch spot at South Coast Winery... where between the scenery, the weather, and the food, it's hard not to smile and have a good time!

A belated birthday celebration for Daddy...

who am I to turn down free cheesecake?!

 Lunch, as always, was delicious... but with so much to explore,

Allen couldn't wait to run around and play.

Naturally, Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh led the way...

...Down to the courtyard where all the fun began!

At our favorite winery and outside playing together...

I don't think these two could've been any happier!

Lunch at South Coast...

the tradition continues.

With all the fun and excitement going on, Allen made sure to take time out to ponder life as he meandered through the courtyard.

Dad-Oh to the rescue!

Making sure Allen's shoes are on nice & tight.

"Are you sure I can't go in there & play in the water?

I really don't think my Mom or Dad will mind!"

Okay... so I'm biased,

but that little boy is just so darn cute!!!

Bottle caps, a plastic cup and Moe-Joe...

plenty to entertain Allen for the afternoon! 

Dad-Oh being very patient and helping Allen climb all those stairs.

A little golf for the boys, some peace & quiet for Jei,

and some alone (play) time for Moe-Joe and Allen that morning...

Only to be all together to enjoy lunch and some playtime at the winery!

It's no wonder we keep coming back!

Back at home, it was all smiles... as Moe-Joe and Dad-Oh try to spend as much time as possible with Allen during their short time left with us. Of course that meant a break for Jei & I... so we were all for it! 

They played together in the living room building & balancing blocks...

Had a good ole' time splashing around in the bathtub...

Played games with Moe-Joe on the iPad...

And even learned to come down the stairs

like a big boy with the help of Dad-Oh!

On Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh's last day here, they took Allen

& his wagon out front to have a little fun! 

"Are you sure you know what you're doin' Dad-Oh???"

"Weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!"

"C'mon Moe-Joe... faster - faster!"

That night Allen was due for a serious manicure...

and Dad-Oh was just the right man for the job!

And then it was more of the same... lots of fun, laughs, and smiles!

Thank you Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh for coming out to play with us! We always love your company and we always have such a good time together. Hope we get to do it again a lot sooner than later. We love you!!!