Hiking Adventures

We have taken the kids hiking twice this summer.  They love getting to explore, lead us through the woods and warn us of upcoming danger (especially spiders)!


They do a great job.  Most of our hikes last about two miles.  Olivia can make it the whole way.  Finn usually gets a piggy back ride the last quarter of a mile.


The best part: picnic lunches afterwards.


The view from the scenic overlook at Illiniwek Park in Hampton.

Our Baby Ballerina

Even though she isn't a baby anymore (hello kindergarten) I am still able to refer to her as my baby -- don't try to stop me.

Olivia showcased her amazing ballerina skills a few weekends ago in her very first production.  She did very well.  She loved being on stage, having her hair and make up done, and being able to finally wear her butterfly costume.

We have the summer off from class, thank goodness because she is a little burnt out.  She says she is happy she has the summer off because now she can spend the night at Gramma and Papa's house any time.  Girlfriend has her priorities set.

Olivia is the second girl next to the teacher in the rest of the pictures.

Love is....

A back scratch on the way to the park.

I caught them snuggling on the couch together that night too.  Finn had his head on Olivia's shoulder and Liv had her arm around Finn.  As soon as they saw me looking at them they quickly moved and started to bicker at each other.

Baby Ducks!

We went to the John Deere Commons last week to see the baby ducks hatch just in time for Easter weekend.

I thought this would be such a fun event for the kids.  I have to admit, I was pretty excited for it myself.

I packed the kids up on Thursday morning, in the rain, by myself to venture down to the Pavilion.  On any other day I would never have the courage to take both monsters down there by myself.  They LOVE that place.  They also LOVE to go in different directions at warp speed.

However, I thought, for some reason, this day would be different.

I. Was. Wrong.

The kids could not have been less interested in the ducks.  All they wanted to do was run through the crowded building and climb on every machine possible.

I was able to sneak a few pictures of the baby ducks as I was running by.

The duckling that is closest to the camera actually hatched while we were there.  Again, we missed it.

Maybe next year.