Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A Trip to Chicago!

So, over summer vacation we took a trip up to downtown Chicago with four kids in tow! Yes, I am fully aware of the fact summer seems like ages ago. For our own memories I wanted to blog about this so that we can look back and remember what we did and didn't do! Here goes:
It was a beautiful Saturday morning in June as we loaded up to make the drive to Chicago with four kids in tow, running shoes and a rather large jogging stroller. The trip up there wasn't too bad considering it could have been worse, it was Lillian that I was worried about. She was not a car rider, although currently she has somewhat grown out of that stage in life. I was overly excited, I love a big city and especially one along Lake Michigan. The kids were giddy too, I could tell once we got in the city they were mesmerised by all the tall buildings, and possibly the fact they knew where we were going!

We arrived at Navy Pier and ate lunch, I felt a little overwhelmed with all the people. I could not believe the amount of people crowed in that building. We went outside and started walking to the places we had planned on going too. I had google mapped the route and thought I did a good job by staying away from the main highway. I somehow missed the fact they had an overpass that you were to walk up the stairs. Something that was not convenient with a stroller. So we turned down a side road and walked past some really cute shops and restaurants. We finally made it to Michigan Ave. and I could not believe the amount of people on the sidewalks there. Thankfully the kids knew to stay with us and not try to walk ahead. We past at least two street beggars, one of which looked like a younger man in his lower twenties maybe. The streets were also filled with people trying to sell things and you learned quickly to not look at them or just say no thank you.

Once we arrived at the American Girl doll store, it was hard for me to contain my excitement. Lindsey was just as excited as I was! We were greeted at the door and looked around at all the neat things they had displayed. We soon found ourselves in the Bitty Baby section in which we were on the hunt for the red haired, blue eyed baby for Lillian. Our sweet little girl was in love with all the babies along with all the extra stuff they had displayed too. She really liked the stroller they had and pushed that around with her baby in it. Yes, she was a little selfish when other little girls came close and wanted to push the stroller too. (And I actually let her be selfish, I felt that was her moment to have fun.) Lindsey soon choose and outfit for her doll she had at home and we were ready to leave and venture to the Lego store. Unfortunately, someone cute and little wasn't ready to leave. She threw a wonderful fit that Chad dealt with while I stood back and watched her frustration and flailing little body, oh yeah and took picture of her too! (I probably would have thrown a fit, but I wasn't up for people starring at me too!)

 We made our way up the Lego store and I could not believe the things they had made with Lego's. The boys had a certain amount of money they could spend and I think they may have been overwhelmed with so many choices. (or at least Kyle was, Jacob knew what he wanted!) The kids enjoyed playing with the Lego's they had set up at different areas throughout the store.


This picture below is made completely of Lego's! How amazing is that!!!!
 Once we finally managed to get out of the Lego store and we headed to the much anticipated John Hancock building right across the street! The kids were so excited to go all the way up to the top! Before our trip we had watched You Tube videos and found many interesting facts about the building. Unfortunately for me I didn't want to take the elevator and go up to the 95th floor once I got there! WHATS WRONG WITH ME! I was so excited about going up to the top but once I saw the building right there in front of it I felt sick to my stomach. I have a HUGE fear of elevators and heights, I know how fun! So Chad ended up taking Kyle, Lindsey and Jacob up to the top for 5 dollar pops! Lillian and I stayed down at the bottom and watched the people go by. We seen two brides and their party getting ready to go up the observatory while we waited and waited and waited for Chad and the kids to come back down!  





The kids loved sitting by the window at the top of the building and I wish they would have pushed me onto that elevator. I would have loved to hear and seen their reactions to the view. We than made our way back to Navy Pier and walked down to the Haggen Daz ice cream shop to spend a little over $30 bucks on ice cream! Way to much money to spend on ice cream, but on a very hot day it was money well spent. I do have note the picture of Lindsey swinging on the tree is one of my favorites because if I was her age that is something I would have done! After eating our ice cream we sat in the grass across the street from Navy Pier and watched the cars go by and play in the grass. That was the best way to end the day. What we did learn about the city of Chicago is that when driving just honk your horn, no seriously just drive, honk your horn and wave! We do plan on going back next summer and possibly spend the night so we can see and do more things in the big city. The kids and Chad loved it and I still remember some of those little details that made the day so special for all of us!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, September 17, 2012

One Thousand Blessings!


#826-855

826. Not signing Jacob up for school this year

827. Lindsey not being picked on so far this school year

828. Jacob getting a trophy and winning first place at a kiddie tractor pull

829. The kids noticing the colors of the sky as the sun sets

830. Kyle knowing how to air up the tires on our bikes

831. A three wheeled bike built for two, and not feeling embarrassed to ride it

832. Noticing that we had a water leak and for it being an easy fix

833. Chad hanging hooks up in the laundry room

834. Organizing the laundry room

835. Borrowing magazines from the library

836. New compression sock for running

837. Signing up for my second half marathon

838. Kyle's John Deere bike

839. How Chad can make a junk tractors run

840. Kyle getting his trumpet fixed for school

841. Getting a P.L.E. at the school I choose and with a great teacher

842. The teacher I work with doesn't mind my millions of questions I seem to ask her about teaching

843. Enjoying my time in the classroom working with students

844. Being asked to go on a field trip with Lindsey's class

845. Lindsey knowing some french when asked during her field trip

846. Learning more about the French and Indian War

847. Teaching the kids french

848. How helpful Lillian is at throwing things away, even things that shouldn't be thrown away

849. Chad building a new table and chairs for the kids to sit at

850. Coloring and drawing with the kids

851. That silly little french song that is always stuck in my head

852. Making Lindsey a couple of appliqued shirts

853. Hearing the Pledge of Allegiance in a school

854. Shoe shopping with Kyle

855. Getting a really cute Hanna Andersson dress seventy five percent off at the outlet mall

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, August 13, 2012

One Thousand Blessings!


#801-825

801. Sewing with Lindsey and her love for fabric

802. Watching Lindsey at her judging for 4-H

803. Going grocery shopping without Lillian

804. The kids going to vacation bible school for a week

805. Kyle not complaining to much about going to VBS with kids younger than him

806. Watching a happy couple get married

807. Studying with Kyle for his written tractor test

808. Kyle doing really good on his driving test even though he backed over the pole at the very end

809. Kyle getting his first trophy from tractor driving

810. A second place place ribbon

811. Riding in the tractor parade with Chad and the kids

812. Kyle's friend Felix, that he really enjoys being with

813. Watching Lillian look at the animals

814. Talking with people I haven't seen for awhile

815. Lindsey having her friends spend the night

816. Listening to the boys tell me all about the tractor pull they went to

817. A stray kitten to play with and feed for a day (although it never came back)

819. Kyle going to District for his 4-H tractor driving contest

820. Stocking up on clothes for Lillian for next summer at Targets clearance section

821. Going swimming in Lake Michigan probably one last time for the year

822. Knowing the first weekend in August is Lake Michigan's big boat race, so we won't go again

823. Finding the cutest little beach town, Beverly Shores, along Lake Michigan

824. Being able to see the Gary/ Chicago skyline along the lake better than we ever have before

825. The beautiful colors of the Lake Michigan

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, July 23, 2012

One Thousand Blessings!


#786-800

786. Running my first 'official' 5k run

787. Running 3.1 miles in 30:14

788. Winning first place for my age group

789. Receiving another medal to add to my collection of running medals

790. Lillian's bright red stride-rite shoes that cost all of $8, they were originally $38!

791. Lillian's cute fourth of July tutu outfit her Nana bought for her

792. Having people over for a spontaneous dinner on the fourth of July

793. Chad going to Lake Michigan with us to swim (he never goes with us)

794. Water shoes for the kids to walk on the really burning HOT hot sand to the Lake

795. Chad wanting to rent a house along Lake Michigan for a couple of nights next summer

796. Going to cruise night with Chad and the kids to see some really neat old cars and trucks

797. Taking the kids to a French Flea Market over an hour away from home

798. The sound of french music playing and the feeling as if we were at a french flea market

799. Meeting a few blogger's I stalk in person

800. Coming home with lots of decorating ideas from really talented designers

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, July 9, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#766-785

766. Being excited about going on a family trip

767. Not having to drive in downtown Chicago

768. Taking the kids to the big city for the first time ever

769. How excited the kids were to see so many really tall buildings, including the tallest in the U.S.

770. The kids didn't whine about having to walk the streets in downtown Chicago, about one mile

771. Hearing the sounds of busy streets, car horns being honked, watching people going places

772. Learning about the John Hancock building before our trip

773. Not loosing anyone in the crowed streets

774. Talking to people while waiting for the street lights to change and how friendly the people were

775. Being excited about finally making it to the American Girl doll store for the first time

776. Watching Lindsey see all the dolls and displays

777. Watching Lillian in the Bitty Baby section play with all the baby dolls

778. Lillian getting a red haired blue eyed baby, just like herself

779. The Lego store being right next to the American girl doll store

780. Watching the Jacob, Lindsey and Lillian play Lego's while Kyle and Chad shopped

781. Jacob being brave and stepping on the escalators with me

782. Chad taking Kyle, Lindsey and Jacob to the top of the John Hancock building for $5 cokes (while Lillian and I hung out in the basement of the John Hancock building because I was to afraid to go up)

783. Not having to pay the $35 bill for Haagen Dazs ice cream for the six of us

784. Sitting in the grass at Navy Pier watching cars go by and the kids play

785. Planning on going back to Chicago with the kids and the memories we took home with us that day

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, June 25, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#756-765

756. Golf cart rides in the evenings with the kids

757. Having a fashion show with girls in the backyard

758. Blocking out an half an hour of our day just for reading

759. The way Lillian loves to sit and go through her word cards with me

760. Jacob finally getting in the pool to play

761. Chad carrying Lindsey upstairs to her bed after she had fallen asleep on the couch

762. The boys having fun playing in the sprinkler while Chad was watering the yard and flowers

763. New trainer underwear for Lillian

764. Signing up for classes in the fall

765. Deciding that jogging with the jogging stroller isn't that bad after all

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#746-755

746. Taking the kids out to open swim

747. New bracelets for me

748. A new top to wear with the skirt I found in my closet

749. Rain that came unexpectedly (or at least for me!)

750. Taking Lindsey's friend shopping with us

751. Getting something really wonderful from Chad's grandfather

752. Going to a friends wedding

753. Seeing Chad all dressed up in a tux and him being asked to be the best man

754. Being less in debt

755. Celebrating another year of marriage with Chad ♥

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

One Thousand Blessings

#716-735

716. Helping with Kyle's class for field day at school

717. A breeze on a really hot day

718. Finishing up some things at the school for fall

719. Taking Lillian to Lake Michigan for the first time

720. Lillian being content with sitting on the beach

721. Seagull chasing in the sand

722. Taking Lillian into the water at the beach for the first time

723. Remembering to reapply sunscreen on Lillian at the beach

725. Not getting a sunburn

725. Finding a parking spot close the restrooms at the Outlet mall (and for not having to wait in line)

726. Being asked to help at the sixth grade graduation

727. The kids out for summer break

728. The short little videos I have of Lillian at the beach

729. The extra bikes we have for other kids to ride that come over

730. Being asked to babysit for the summer

731. Buying goggles for the kids and them being excited to start swimming

732. Signing the kids up for the summer reading program at the library

733. Getting most of the weeds pulled

734. A new one piece swim suit for me

735. New magazines to look at

To learn  more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

One Thousand Blessings!



#736-745


736. The kids helping me paint the bench for the porch

737. Watching the kids at swimming lessons

738. Jacob finally being brave enough to get in the water with me at the pool

739. Not having to run the air conditioner for about a week

740. Having to wear pants in June because it was so chilly out

741. Lindsey's cute knit ruffle shorts I made for her

742. The kids learning about owls at the library

743. Hearing the boys make owl noises outside the door at night then laughing

744. The extra money I am making from babysitting

745. Going to a bridal shower

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, May 21, 2012

One Thousand Blessings

#706-715

706. Kyle excited and really surprised about his birthday balloons I had sent to school

707. Celebrating Kyle's birthday

708. Kyle's friends coming over for his party

709. Cooking out on the grill

710. Remembering to get more bird seed for the feeders

711. Watching a hummingbird at our new hummingbird feeder

712. Watching the boys and Chad put together Kyle's new Lego semi before bed

713. Signing the kids up for swimming lessons

714. Our usually not so friendly neighbor being friendly to us

715. Finally getting a little bit of rain

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, May 14, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#696-705

696. Getting the vegetables planted in our garden

697. Remembering to water the flowers and plants at night

698. Being able to sleep in until 8am

699. Helping Lindsey build her Lego house

700. Chad finishing the deck steps

701. My mothers day present, a new three piece iron table and chairs for the deck

702. Working on the landscape around the house

703. Jacob helping me plant flowers in the pots

704. Lindsey making and leaving me a mothers day card by my bed

705. Feeling excited to go on a morning run

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

One Thousand Blessings


#686-695

686. Running my first half marathon

687. Not having to wait in line to pick up my packet

688. A fast elevator and someone to ride up and down with

689. Remembering to put on sunscreen

690. Running on the Indianapolis speedway

691. Stopping at the yard of bricks to take a picture

692. All the water and Gatorade stops

693. The water sprinklers

694. Making it to the finish line

695. The kids excited about the medal I got

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, May 7, 2012

Indy Half Marathon

Saturday I did my very first half marathon in Indianapolis and it was amazing! The Indy Mini Marathon  is the nations largest half marathon and sells out every year! I have watched the half marathon on TV for a few years and always wanted to be apart of it. Finally, my chance had come to be one of those 35,000 people to get up early and run/walk their heart out! Chad and I took Lillian and Kyle with us to watch. We stayed the night in Indy on Friday so that I could pickup my packet and wouldn't have to drive the long distance down in the morning. On Friday night we checked into the hotel and walked to the convention center to pickup my race packet. Oh my the amount of people, a long line to check in the hotel, cars backed up on the roads, crowded sidewalks. Then we make it to the convention center pick up my packet and surprisingly we seen people we knew! We went to TGI Friday to eat and had to wait forever for our take out food, we decided to do take out since it was only a 30-45 minute wait rather than a 1 hour and 45 minute wait for a table! By the time we got our food walked back to the hotel it was 9:30 at night! Of course we had trouble getting to sleep once we went to bed, except for Lillian, the room was way to quiet!

Saturday morning we got up at 6am and headed to the start line. I left Chad and the kids behind and walked fast to get to my spot as the 5K was just starting! Yikes, we left a little later than we should have! I stopped by the porta potty on my way and my just my luck everyone else wanted to use the row of potties too! Took me 20 minutes for my turn. I ran to my spot right in front of Panera, way in the back of the pack corral U. I couldn't even get in the corral until the others ahead of us started to move forward. A half and hour later I was at the start line.

I decided I would walk the first three miles and possibly run the rest. It was so hot and humid out already and with that many people close together the whole way made it even hotter. Here is a break down of my miles.

Start line~ I crossed this about a half an hour after the first runners (who by the way finished in 1hour and 5min, now that is moving pretty fast! The winners were with a group from Kenya that run marathons for a living so that they can go back to their country and retire young, or at least that is what I was told!)

Mile 1~ crossed the bridge and looked at the pretty water, passed the zoo seen the baby elephants, caught up to the ladies that I was following in the corral, talked to them a bit they have done this before, wished them good luck and started to jog a bit. First water station and oh my the amount of cups on the ground.

Mile 2~ Read a sign that said "no one made you do this!"

Mile 3~ I find a group of ladies I decided to keep up with, some were running, some walking they were of all different ages

Mile 4~ See a girl with a megaphone cheering everyone on, she was so full of spunk, gave some little kids high fives along the way

Mile 5~ Talked to a lady who asked how I was doing, I tell her great, she asks if I have ever done this before and I tell her no. This was her second time, I decided to run on ahead, then to slow down and take a picture of the Speedway. Run down the huge ramp into the speedway and than up the same ramp. Oh my did the speedway look really really long!

Mile 6~ Finally make my way onto the race track and passed lots of high school cheerleaders. The music was extremely loud

Mile 7~ Choked on some water, thankfully I was okay and that nobody noticed. Stood on the yard of bricks and took my picture (even though it looks like I have one long pant leg and one carpi pant leg!)

Mile 8~ Finished up on the race track and ran through the sprinklers

Mile 9~ Thankful for the shade along the road, listened to two girls talking behind me about going on a half marathon vacation, they mentioned doing a Disney half marathon with their kids or a Vegas half marathon without the kids. (I already checked out the Run Disney website about their half marathon!)

Mile 10~ Pass a little girl wearing a cheerleader outfit cheering with her dad along the road

Mile 11~ Met a 10 year old boy named Cameron who was running with his dad, he seemed very tired so I encouraged him and ran on

Mile 12~ So glad I put sunscreen on as the sun was beating down on me and I noticed a lot of people walking rather than running

Mile 13~ I ran faster than what I had before to the finish line with only a few minutes left. I ran as fast I possible could once I was close to the finish line tried to pass as many people as I could.

The Finish Line~ Amazing feeling once I finished a lady gave me a bottle of water, I got my medal all I wanted to do was sit down since I felt like I could pass out. Made my way out of the area and sat on the grass in front a building and called Chad to let him know where I was. Lillian liked my medal!

I finished in a horrible time, 3 hours 33seconds! I was a little upset with my time since I was planning on around 2:30 or 2:40. I could not believe the humidity and how hot I got! I have decided that I will do another one in October which is much closer to home so I can sleep in my own bed and this next one wont be as packed! Although I had such an amazing time I told Chad I wasn't sure I would do the Indy Mini again since we do have to spend the night there and the place is so packed along with watching the weather for a week worrying what it will be like. I did have an amazing time and I know Chad, Kyle and Lillian enjoyed themselves while I was running. They seen the winners before they went to eat breakfast, of course to bad I was just a little busy to see them!

I talked with so many people while down there, everyone was so encouraging and friendly. The crowds cheering along the way were amazing and the entertainment was great. It was just a little 13.1 mile run through town! Blessings, Lisa



Monday, April 30, 2012

One Thousand Blessings



#676-685


676. Kyle being able to go to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for school

677. Kyle not minding that I made his sack lunch bag look cool with sport and cupcake stamps

678. Being able to renew library books over the phone when we can't make it up there when they are due

679. Being asked to help out at Kyle and Lindsey's school again

680. Helping at the school and that I hopefully get to back after Istep testing is over in a few weeks

681. We have now lived in our current house for one year now and have owned it for two years

682. Chad being able to fix the little window in the extra room that broke

683. New running clothes to wear for my first half-marathon

684. How excited the kids were when the neighbor asked them if they wanted some old toys they had in the shed they were cleaning out

685. Finding out that we can have chickens in town

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, April 23, 2012

One Thousand Blessings

#666-675

666. The kids learning about composting and recycling

667. Rain that hopefully helped our grass seed to sprout

668. Chad replacing his broken tape measure for a new free one since it was still under warranty

669. The boys excited about the new tools they got at the store

670. Lindsey remembering to stay after school for her club

671. Sewing up some cute one of a kind dresses

672. Finding Jacob some rain boots on clearance at Target

673. A very healthy green smoothie

674. Being asked to help at the kids' school

675. Lillian's cute new sandals

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, April 16, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


#656-665

656. How Jacob always asks me 'how many miles did I go?' when I come home from running

657. The easy taco soup recipe I found online and that everyone ate it

658. Finding Lillian's other shoe (under the couch) after looking all day

659. Getting more dirt in the yard so it wont puddle this year

660. Knowing that before long we will have lush green grass to roll around in

661. The kids OK with not going to the Bug Bowl, due to the weather

662. Lillian enjoying herself while we sort through my mountain of fabric scraps

663. Finding a few new projects to get rid of some of my fabric scraps

664. Riding bikes through mud puddles around town with the boys after the rain

665. Me having muddy pants just like the boys

To learn more about One Thousand Blessings visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, April 9, 2012

One Thousand Blessings

#646-655

646. Chad getting Jacob a new ride on tractor since his old one caught on fire last summer

647. Watching Jacobs face light up when he seen his new tractor

648. Playing with plastic easter eggs

649. Taking Jacob to kindergarten round up

650. How Jacob always asks me 'how many miles you go?' when I get home from running

651. Kyle and Lindsey not having school on Good Friday

652. Meeting someone new, and enjoying our conversation

653. Making resurection rolls with the kids

654. Christ resurrected

655. Having strawberry shortcakes for dessert

To learn more about One Thousand Gifts visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Monday, April 2, 2012

One Thousand Blessings


636-645

636. Chad building us a privacy fence

637. The kids excited to go on a 'field trip' to the Celery Bog

638. Lunches all packed and ready to go

639. Remembering to put on sunscreen

640. The kids learning how to use a compass

641. Being able to use a map on the trails to find our way around

642. The joy the kids get from playing with a large box

643. Watching Kyle and Jacob help Chad with the deck

644. Chad building us a new deck with only the help of little boys and not complaining about it

645. Eating out on our new deck

To learn more about One Thousand Blessings visit Ann's blog, A Holy Experience, and take the dare to count as many blessings in which the Lord has given you!!!! Blessings, Lisa

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Celery Bog!

Over spring break the kids and I took a field trip to the Celery Bog! This was our first time going, we had plans to go last year over fall break but the road was closed and couldn't get there. We packed our lunches and left in the morning, the kids were really excited. Once we got there we went into the nature center to pick up our trail packets and started off down the winding path. I have come to the conclusion that I would completely useless if we ever got lost in an extra large wooded area, like a forest. Yep, I can scratch park ranger off my list of things to do!

The kids learned how to use a compass, read a map along with following the instructions as to where to go. I am just thankful we had the map to cheat and look from instead of having to rely on only the directions! Because believe me reading those directions was like reading a foreign language. Sure, a slight bend in the path, really! Obviously we survived other wise I wouldn't be blogging about it, but then again it has taken me quite awhile to get around to finishing this post!

The first check point we get too, such an easy find, we learned about how the celery bog came to be.
Then we ventured on the path again and came to this little landing to watch the ducks and other birds.
Moving along we had lunch and I found a tick crawling on Lillian's pant leg which was enough to get us up out of the grass. It was a good thing we were done eating, for the most part! Then we had to do a quick body check for ticks, thankfully none, ugh I cant stand those little things!

Then we ventured 15 miles out of our way, no just kidding it was more like 2 but felt like 15! I think at one point I did get a little nervous because the lady said it would take around thirty minutes to do. We sure passed the thirty minute mark! Then my map and directions were of no help, just stay on the path and it will take us somewhere. Thankfully we did see some people ridding their bikes and two other people running and a man in the middle of the trees! The man in the middle of the trees kinda worried me a bit! But of course after talking to him, he was a nice fellow.

Then we found the Man Eating swamp, which kinda scared me pieces! Is this thing really man eating, like bottom less, never ending! And if it was, why didn't they have a rail around the little bridge! Not to worry it wasn't but back in the day people thought it was.
At the last stop the information stated something along the lines of 'notice the trees above you' and Kyle mentions yeah they look like they are going to fall down on us! I was windy out and they did look kind of like they could fall! They only had tall and short trees, no medium sized trees and I can't tell you why, you would have to go there and figure that out for yourself! Once we finally made it back to the nature center alive the kids wanted to explore the place and watch the birds from inside!
We played frog checkers and I learned more about frogs than I ever wanted to know.
Lillian tried to touch some fossils
Over all the kids had a blast and we have decided we will go back once the trees have some green to them. Next time we may do the bird or flower adventure, where you have to find certain birds or flowers along the path. (Knowing our luck we may find poison ivy the next time, he! he! just kidding, or so I hope!) Blessings, Lisa