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This was our maiden voyage in the new camper van! As with all such voyages, there were some bumps in the road (primarily a dead starter battery and multiple campsite “Plan B” options). Sawtooth Canyon campground at New Jack City climbing area was very cool, so we ended up there for 2 nights. We made a brief foray up to Big Bear looking for snow, but there was none to be found outside the man-made ski slopes. Camping outside Joshua Tree on a dry lake bed was a unique experience (confirming zero interest in ever attending Burning Man, lol). Joshua Tree National Park is very cool, but fighting the holiday weekend crowds was less than enjoyable so we didn’t do much other than have a nice picnic lunch.

Lovely winter morning in the riverbed riding Dunny with Clay, Serena, and Sierra. Everyone had fun playing in the river (especially Cato and Storm…Cato waded out up to his knees, shoes and all, while Storm held true to her Lab heritage chasing sticks in water). Dunny was a perfect gentleman except for a brief self led escapade chasing other horses down the trail (Breana and Jasper running after).

The best gift is celebrating being together with family (and getting a Hot Wheels Garage). It was a very wet, muddy holiday, however.

We finally made it back for a drop in gymnastics class! Super busy (schools must be on holiday break or something, lol), but it was still lots of fun. Grandma and grandpa Tran came along to watch. Cato thought 50 min was too short!

Fun event idea to watch the animals open their presents! As usual, Cato was more interested in the coin funnel and the train than the animals.

Super fun family event going for an open air train ride followed by a magic show in the historic barn, running laps through a light maze, and watching the pony rides! Cato even got to experience running to catch the train at the very least minute 😅

Beautiful morning for an outing to the riverbed! Grandma walked, Breana rode Dunny, Cato rode both Dunny and his bike, and Jasper ran himself out. The fire dept. got a grant for some major brush removal and Dunny wasn’t so sure about all the chain saws and wood chippers hiding in the brush, but Cato was fascinated! The neighborhood Christmas tree was decorated with ornaments… even had some seed cakes for the birds.

Friday evening was the Atascadero Winter Wonderland event at the Sunken Gardens. The line for snow play was a little too long, but Cato still had a blast riding the train and checking out the bounce houses. Then, Saturday morning was our preschool fundraiser showing of Polar Express at the movie theater! Santa was even waiting for us when we got out of the movie.

For Cato’s first time climbing outside (and Breana’s first time climbing since Cato was born), we tagged along with Sierra, Clay, and friend to check out the newer “Bunny Wall” on Bishops Peak. Cato rocked the approach hike but still isn’t so sure about this climbing thing, lol. Next time, we’ll try getting him some actual climbing shoes and remember his bike helmet, so hopefully, that will help!

Wow! What a busy month! At the beginning of the month, we moved from Dove Creek to Breana’s family home…Cato is now the 4th generation to live here! It was a MUCH easier move than our last one (CO to CA), but there are still lots of house projects that we’re working our way through. Shortly after moving, Breana and Cato went up to Fairfield for 4 days to visit Linnaea’s family. Cato had a blast getting to play with the 3 older boys (Henry, Oliver, and Patrick) and hiking in Muir Woods National Monument was a fantastic highlight (soooo many banana slugs!). For Thanksgiving, we both hosted a small group (Morrow’s, Jason) and visit Erin & Dillon for Breana’s family dinner.