Kayaking on the Saratoga Lake

Can't seem to do this enough.

Find it here

Peekamoose Mountain Swimming Hole

Fun day trip with the kiddos.

Find it Here:

https://foursquare.com/v/peekamoose-mountain-blue-hole/4db1dadaa86e63d211753b28

Letter Boxing

If you haven't letter boxed, go do it now.

It's a bit like geocoaching but more fun for little kids. Basically, you print out clues that lead you to a hidden box. Each box has a journal and a stamp. You also carry a stamp and journal. You stamp the box's journal with your stamp and stamp your journal with the box's stamp. It's interesting to read the box's journal to see how many other people have found the box before you.

Eventually your journal becomes full with unique stamps as most are hand carved.


Some of the clues will take you on a bit of a hike. It also introduces you to new places around town that you many not otherwise visit.





Atlas Quest is a nice website because you can easily track the boxes you have found. There are many great features on the website that make it easy to find boxes.

There is also Letterboxing North America that is an ok site. It's just hard to keep track of what you've completed.

These boxes are all over the place which makes it easy to find one on just about every outing.

We're planning on planting our own box this summer. The kids are looking forward to writing the clues and carving their own stamp!

Afternoon Hike

Our family relishes a good hike in nature.


As much as we loved the huge trees, mountains and water falls in Oregon, Texas can be really pretty.





If you look, you will find pockets of beauty.

Camping

This spring break we did a little camping with Grandma Birdie and the Simmons.

It was just under a 2 hour drive. We were well out of the city and could see tons of stars at night.

The day we arrived, the fire ban was lifted and we spent way too much money on fire wood. But being able to roast hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire was worth it.

We took a few hikes, drank too much wine/margaritas, the kids had fun playing in mud, which made me thankful we had showers. Kell took the kids fishing. We also saw lots of wildlife including frogs, rabbits, deer and armadillos!

On the way home we stopped by this awesome ice cream parlor and had a taste of civilization. The picture in the ice cream parlor was taken right after Freya lost her entire scoop of ice cream. So sad, but I took her over to the counter with her tear-filled-puppy-dog eyes and she got a refill in her cone. Really who can resist those eyes?

We were pooped out by the leisurely camping that we did.

McKinney Falls

This is a fabulous place to spend the day. Perfect for the day trip or even afternoon trip. We went for a hike and saw the biggest tree in Texas, I swear! Then sat under what they call the rock shelter.

There was a family turtles that caught Raita's eye while we were walking.

Suki had fun but she needs to learn to be calm on the leash. She would rather run with the kids, so I'm constantly telling her settle down and be still while she struggles to be with them. I hope she grows up soon!



Raita and Jonah had fun jumping over the grooves in the rock that the river formed. Look at that picture of Jonah, it is almost as if he is flying.



I always freak out when Raita does daring things with Jonah. I guess that is the job of the mother though. Biting nails, forever, infinity.

We went hiking with Bethany and her brood. The dog was getting on my nerves, I let her go which was fine. We got near a road so I had to put her on the leash again, she wanted nothing to do with that. My arm is still sore.

Everyone was muddy and wet but I guess that is to be expected when you mix kids and a river.

Yes, Freya is still in her pajamas. Sometimes there are more important things to deal with than what we're wearing when we leave the house. Atleast she wasn't naked.