With temperatures flirting with 30 degrees this week we ventured out on some new hikes. We climbed up high enough so that we overlooked fields of orchards full of blooms in white and pink, vineyards, Lake Osoyoos, wetlands, mountains, and desert terrain. It was lovely. We couldn't take our eyes off it...that is..until we realized poor Chester hobbling along to keep up.

As soon as we looked down we realized we had been trampling through countless clusters of cacti. They were in my shoes, Greg's shoes, but luckily not the kid's shoes. Of course, the Chester had it the worst.

After immediately retreating from our new hike we spent some time pulling out needles from the dog and our shoes.

We made our way to good ol' Road 22. We saw our first snake of the year but he didn't make it across the road, poor lil fella.

Baron got to get face-to-face with some horses for the first time. He loves horses but had never been close enough to touch one before. He ran down the path full speed to get to them but when Greg lifted him up to pet him he got very nervous.

The dog always keeps a real good distance from the horses. Just stands there, watching and waiting until we've had our fill.

It's so great to have the hot weather back and enjoy the outdoors here. It is, after all, what we moved here for.

Big Bare and his Basketball

When I tell someone Baron really loves basketball, what I mean to say is that Baron has an obsession with basketball. It was one of his first 5 words, starting out as b'ball, working up to ba-het-ball, and now a proper basketball. He is about 20 months old now and his obsession is as strong as ever.

He started at a new day home in March. We told them all he needs is a ball and he's happy. After a day or two with Baron they marvelled, "That boy doesn't love basketball...he is OBSESSED!!!" He points out every single basketball hoop (and then some) on walks, car-rides, any outing, really. If you took a tally, you would find that he said basketball more than any other word, at least 100 times a day, at least!!

At the park Baron will stand in front of the hoops and pretend to shoot without a ball. He bends his knees and adds a bit of a bounce like his Dad before the "release". He also adds his own "swish" verbally. He is currently working on his dribbling, and trying so hard to jump. He can just about get air...he tries so hard! He catches the ball just as well as his 5 year old sister.

So what does this all mean? Probably nothing. But maybe, just maybe, Baron will take after his namesake, Baron Davis, and be the first person with Goldenhar's Syndrome in the NBA.

What? It could happen!

Easter

Last Easter Layla woke up in the middle of the night to find that the Easter bunny had left an egg on her pillow. She was so excited that we allowed her to go ahead with the egg hunt. She grabbed a flashlight, ran outside and filled her basket with all the eggs she could find. This year she planned for the same. Around 1130pm she came into our room to wake us up and announce that the Easter Bunny had been here! We let Baron sleep but the rest of us trekked out to the backyard. She spotted some eggs inside too but was kind enough to leave those for Baron to find in the morning.


Layla was the first one up in the morning but we woke up Baron to join in the fun. He was a bit confused at first but it didn't take him long to realize what was going on.

Layla enthusiastically helped Baron fill his basket with all the goodies they could find. Somehow the Easter Bunny knew about Baron's obsession with basketball and had left a big stuffed basketball for him to sleep with.

We wrapped it up with a turkey feast for dinner. I love holidays, and watching the kid's excitement. I am already looking forward to Christmas...