Ojai Family vacation - summer is winding down

Before I go any further - let's discuss how I have turned into "those people." This picture totally took my breath away at that realization. "Those people" are the people with a lot of kids (by LA standards), you might think twice about inviting them over due to the invasion/noise/mess that ensues, those kids might have dirty faces now and then or refuse to wear shoes or better yet their own mother may forget their shoes - often, they might have mismatching clothes or in fact no clothes at all, their children whine or throw fits in public despite the best of the best patient & loving parenting, they have too many bikes on the back of their car, and speaking of cars - it might have a mystery smell. 

We are those people. And I'm kinda cool with that cuz the rest of the time those punks are awesome.

Now on to the nature of this post:

We took the kids up to Ventura Ranch a few weeks ago to "glamp" What is that?

Glamp: verb To camp in style, comfort, and/or luxury while still experiencing the great outdoors; to go glamping. Uses: Tim: Hey, do you want to go camping this weekend ? Alan: Nah, that's beat. I'd much rather glamp and be comfortable.

I am not a big fan of the camping myself. Maybe I would be if I didn't have small children clamoring for bottles and snacks and the fact that camping means dirty feet (I HATE dirty feet) and dirt in general. Or maybe it's the fact that I wasn't raised by a family that loves camping. Ya - let's blame my parents for something else! :) Maybe if that had all been different....I would really like it! Riiiiiight.

Anyway - so we headed up to Santa Paula to have a mini vacay. We didn't hit Utah or Arizona this summer and the natives were threatening mutiny if we didn't do something cool.

The cabin was mini perfection. The one huge downfall to staying in a hotel is that we need a kitchen and two bedrooms. Big time. We had a full kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, and sleeping loft. I have now found the ideal way to travel! It was awesome and the setting beautiful.

Babyproofing?? No problem! Mr. LeBaron brought a pack of these babies and went around fixing up the place so I could enjoy myself. That's true love.

Baby loved loved her some quality daddy time.

John tried to sneak in a nap. Riiiiiiight

The glamp site has a little stream running through it. My river rats had a ball.

One of the days we loaded up the bikes and went into Ojai for a leisurely stroll. Riiiiiiiight.

The only thing leisurely about it was..............wait it wasn't really.

C's right bike pedal kept falling off causing - drama.

L kept going waaaay far ahead causing John and I city folk concern.

William kept standing up and ripping that flag off and shoving it into my spokes. AMAZING!!

But actually - since I am used to that kind of drama all the time - I still found the little moments in between very leisurely and peaceful and perfect.

Post bike ride pose

Letting off steam post bike ride. I always love these kinds of shots.

C and I had a fan-flipping-fastic trail ride adventure. Miss C - I love that you love horses. I love that you love gymnastics and crafting. I love that we are so similar that way. I love you.

We were excited to try ziplining. It was a perfect gradient to someone to wants to skydive but is very afraid of heights. My kids? Fearless.

I on the other hand might or might not have screamed like a little girl and shut my eyes for the first part. I might or might not have tried to back out at the last moment.

I might or might not have been sucked off the edge against my will by an eager Charlotte who was strapped to me.

I am super glad you wouldn't let me back down C. That was totally worth it.

Here's celebrating the first time we have slept in the same bed on vacation in 3 whole years. William sparked a downward statistic of horrible sleep while away from home. He is now almost totally over that nightmare. We rejoice!

Utah Trip 2012 - Day 6

Let's take a tour around the "farm." Meet Juicy Jean. She arrived just a few days before we did. Olivia wanted a milking cow (because she doesn't have enough on her plate!).

Juicy Jean is a sweet cow - because I have so many other cows to compare her to....riiiiight. But she is really sweet. I've had fantasies of having a cow myself. With organic, raw milk costing about $11-19 a gallon (no joke!) that sucker would pay for itself pretty quick.

The only problem is Juicy Jean makes about 10 gallons of milk a day. With their main fridge needing parts, that only left the second and guest fridge and those were filling up fast.

So the solution? Cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. Here baby #1 and #10 are helping out.

Olivia is separating curds and whey. How very Mrs. Muffet of her.

There are also a few puuuurty horses around these parts. We didn't go riding this trip...but we admired from afar.

Let's take a break and love on my baby. :) Miss O loves Miss S. I named Miss S after Miss O because she is the _________ person (insert any favorable adjective) I know.

Awww. cousins. Wills was in his stranger-danger mode for the first 3 days (of course) but here is one of 4 sweet group moments. :)

Oh Louis. You have grown up so much. Just recently you were the tantrum-throwing 2 year old and now you are the big boy.

Wills started to love the pups. Because the pups were locked up now. 

Here puppy, puppy, puppy.

One of my favorite things about these people is they all get along - no matter the age range. Simple toys and activities fuel hours of entertainment. It's wholesome. It's sweet. I feel so jaded and grungy comparatively. I sure do like city living, but these people - they do make me reconsider.

Wills and John are gluesticks. And vacation time just enhances their bond. Get it? :) I like puns

One of the many fun things to do is swing on their 20 foot tall swing.

Oh miss Amy, can I please take you home? You are sweet as can be. I swear you are pure light.

This series of shots absolutely made my day.

Kimberly - have I told you lately how special you are? I have never met anyone like you. I believe you are a natural born leader; kind, strong, intelligent...a good recipe. You will father the younger flock of kids (7 when mine are there too) and put together games and hours of wholesome fun. I really admire you.

I told my sweet Miss C that she had better warm up to her cousins quick and not let it take 3 days because we only had four. She seemed to take my advice and jumped right in (as much as a shy girl can).

This was just the morning of - country fair coming up!

Utah Trip 2012 - Day 5

Elend and Olivia (Savannah's namesake) are two of my favorite people.

Their house is a safe haven. A relaxing spot. A family retreat.

Not only do they have a guest area bigger than my house - they are just the most cheerful, relaxed people on the planet. And they have 10 children.

Meet Eli. Or the back of Eli's head. It says "Hi! I'm Eli" One of his big sister's wrote that in Sharpie. Olivia was thrilled. At this point she has scrubbed it 5 times. LOL.

1 baby or 10 babies - she still looks beautiful and still loves on them babies like never before.

Last year the kids did fireworks and were hoping the kids saved some for them. They were in luck. This was the first activity they did.

I love this shot. They are all running around like tribal Indians.

They just kept coming...

Table for 12 seats 1

Oldest and youngest....cute shot. Sarah is off to college and is the sweetest girl. xo Sarah!

The babies - Louis and Eli

This picture makes me miss you Olivia! Please be my neighbor.

Since Madam S has been born Mr. LeBaron has been working looooong hours. Pressure of so many mouths to feed? :) This trip was a nice chance for bonding.

The first few days William was love hate with these pups.

This picture makes me feel as though I can never, not ever, complain about nursing again.

ever again.

The first 36 hours was a lovely, slow, relaxing time. Lucas was wracked with fever again and basically horizontal. After a trip to the local Dr. and some medicine later, he was back in the game and having a blast. 

To be continued....