Park play

Today was John's birthday, the big 30!  So I thought what could be better than to take the outdoor lover into the outdoors.  The sun was shining and the weather was perfect.  So we took our first trip to Nixon Park.  How did we not do this before now?  Landon loved the taxidermied animals, running from animal to animal yelling, "come look!" and touching all the exhibits he was allowed to.  He was thrilled.  After checking out the nature center we went outside to take a nature hike.  Last summer we attempted a mini hike and it didn't go so well...Landon was drug out of the trail screaming.  Not this year!  He LOVED it.  He was busy looking at all the animals using his "noculars".  

John caught a baby snapping turtle, several frogs, a small fish, and a newt.  A happy birthday boy indeed.  

After a little hike we sat in the grass and had a little lunch that we had packed.  Then Landon accompanied Daddy to the creek to play.  Mommy and Will went down a little later, but only Will joined in the fun.  He would have sat right down in it and not gotten out I think.  He was fascinated by the rocks, and spent time picking up the shiny ones.  He would find a shiny rock and almost immediately Landon would steal it and yell, "TREASURE!"  So poor Will would have to search for another rock.  And if having his finds stolen by his brother wasn't enough Mommy wouldn't let him eat them either.  Being a baby is so tough!

Will enjoyed the hikes from the Moby.  I love this thing!  Nearly one and he can still be packed on and carried about easily.  Although I now know why people hike with a baby backpack instead of a front carrier.  I couldn't see my feet...a flashback to pregnancy I guess!  This was only a problem when going down a hill and having to use stairs that they had made out of railroad ties.  We are alive to tell about it though!

Like father, like son

I got a turtle!

Passed out after a hard day of play

Nothing beats a day in nature with my family!