Today was a beautiful day for a hike. So the family, including Grandma and Grandpa, packed up our gear, made a pitstop for some picnic food, and headed out to a great hiking trail that works its way next to a large lake north of the city. After loading up on carbs and protein (courtesy of Subway) we headed off on the trail. Grace and Jack really enjoyed all of the little features and surprises along the path. Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were everywhere, as well as ducks, and a couple of encounters with a small group of deer grazing in some nearby thickets. Jack was tickled at the sight of winding bridges that sprung up (built years ago by a group of Eagle scouts), and Grace pocketed hickory and acorn nuts.
Half way along the hike we stopped for some family pictures near a little shack in the woods. Here's a pretty decent one of all of us -- well...minus Jack, who always has great timing. 
At the beginning of the hike, Ken bravely offered to try wearing Faith for the first time in her *pink* wrap. Faith thoroughly enjoyed hanging around on the back of her Daddy and showed her nod of approval with a snooze that lasted through most of the hike. She even managed to get some sun on those little cheeks and button nose, so for the last third of the hike she wore a onsie over the top of her head to block the rays. 
At the end of our hike we rested along the lake shore. Pollen is in full season right now so the shore water was a sea of yellow. This didn't seem to deter the children from wading along the shore, and drawing water designs in the pollen with their fingers. Grace lost her balance at one point and soaked herself from head to toe. (Ever seen a child dipped in pollen?)
The return home was a little more adventuresome. Dad offered to run back and get the car, so we all wouldn't have to walk all the way back. Wasn't that nice? Unfortunately, the gate to the shore we were at was locked which required him to park and double back to inform us of this detour. So Dad essentially walked the hike once and ran it twice!
1 comment:
Loved all the photos! Especially the one in front of the cabin.
"Little House on the Prairie Family". Leave it to Jack to know how to enhance the photo to make it unforgettable. Looks like you all had a super time, minus the soaking in the pollen. Just wait till Faith is fully on the run and you will have to chase after all three of them going different directions.
You all may be going through withdrawl from all the grandparents, but this grandmother is also going through withdrawl from missing my grandkids and my kids. We will have to make it back down later this summer if only for a few days.
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