Mother's Day Hike

We had gorgeous weather on Mother's Day, and so we decided to head to the Blue Hills for a family hike.  It was so nice; I really enjoy hiking, especially when the mosquitoes haven't really come out yet.  I could never hike alone though because I have the absolute worst sense of direction EVER, and I often miss the obvious markers on the trails!

Driving to the Blue Hills was interesting.  It is rare for us to all pile into the car with the two dogs; it was a very full minivan!  Kate added to the experience by asking over and over and over and over again, "Where are we going?", "What are we going to do there?", etc.

You can see that Reagan finally has two front teeth!  She lost a front primary tooth when she was only three years old due to injury, and the new tooth is finally growing in; it's weird (but very NICE) to see her with two front teeth after all these years!  Also, doesn't Reagan look so happy in that picture?  It almost looks like she had a great time!!!  Ha ha ha.  Reagan is strong and athletic, but she doesn't like hiking.  She lets everyone know that she is not enjoying it.

This was Kate's very first "hike".  She was carried most of the time, but she did walk a little and I was happy to have her there with us.

 The view from the top; that's Boston in the distance.

I saved this picture for the end so that I could write a little about Kelly.  We weren't going to bring her, even though she LOVES hiking.  Kelly has been limping lately and the vet actually thought she might have had a torn ACL and need surgery.  She was on an anti-inflammatory and the limping went away, but she still appears to have some stiffness in her leg.  As we were packing up to go, Kelly was very excited; she knows what the packs and other hiking items mean, and she was ready to go.  The rest of us piled into the car, ready to leave, but we could hear her crying in the house and we just could not leave without her.  So she came, and she was fine out there, and fortunately, she didn't seem to overdo it because she still seems fine.  She's so funny; I wish I had thought to take a video of her as we approached the exit for the Blue Hills.  She knew exactly where we were and started "screaming" with excitement.  I'm so happy we brought her; it wouldn't be the same without Kelly.

*I was there, really, just the one taking the pictures.  I should have thought to get a picture of myself with the kids since it was Mother's Day.  I never think to make sure I get in pictures.

Here are a few short videos I took during our hike:

This was a great way for us to all spend time together.  I loved it.

Christmas Eve Morning Hike

Tom, Collin, Kelly, and Boo went on a Christmas Eve morning hike in the Blue Hills.  The four of them had a great time.

Collin is such a great hiker; he is truly in his element out there.  Tom calls him "the turtle" in reference to hiking, because he is always slow and steady, and he can hike for a long time.

Kelly always gets so excited when she realizes that Tom is getting ready to head out for a hike.  She knows that she will get to go, and she looks forward to it.  It's funny how dogs just know that things are going to happen based on our actions beforehand.

This was Boo's first Blue Hills hiking trip, and he did great.  He ran ahead and back over and over again, so he hiked the farthest!  Tom said Boo was very agile and had a lot of fun.

Tom took some great pictures!

 They saw this deer while they were hiking.  Tom was surprised by the fact that she did not run - Tom was able to reach into his pocket, take out his phone, and take this picture; she just kind of hung around and ate and looked at them.  Plus, the deer was closer than this picture seems to convey.  I wonder why she didn't run.  That's so unusual.

Summer Bucket List Update

This weekend, Tom took Tyler, Collin, Reagan, and Olivia hiking in the Blue Hills.

It was hot, but the kids had a great time.

Yesterday, Collin and Reagan tried origami.  We used the easiest book in a Dover origami kit and I had to help them with some of the projects, but some they were able to complete alone.

cat

pig

dog

Reagan was very proud of this cup because she made it without any help.

Collin and I worked together to make this frog - it really jumps!

house

dog

So, Collin and Reagan were able to check off two more items from their summer bucket list.  They still have quite a bit left:

- Make s'mores in a solar oven (I have the supplies ready, we are just waiting for the right day when it is hot and the kids haven't had too much junk.  I avoided it last week because of all of the birthday celebrations and this week Collin has camp at the Audubon Society, so maybe next week.)

- Bowling (they are hoping Grandma will do this with them - how is that for a hint?!!!)

- Children's museum (I am purposely waiting for the end of August when most of the Rhode Island and even a lot of Massachusetts schools are back in session so the museum is quiet.  I am looking forward to this because I think Kate will love the water room!)

- Visit the zoo and see the Toe Jam Puppet Band (I am waiting until the end of the month for this one too, and it will be Kate's first visit to the zoo!)

- Mini golf

- Do something nice for a neighbor

- Geocaching (not sure if this will happen)

- Mystic (not sure about this either)

- Make a summer scrapbook

Happy New Year

It was unseasonably warm today, but the weather was great for a New Year's Day hike.  Dad took C, R, and Kelly to the Blue Hills this morning and they all enjoyed the hike.  What a great way to start the new year.

A Family Hike

On Sunday morning, the entire family hiked the Blue Hills.  This is a place we visit several times a year to go hiking together.  The trails are very rocky and there are a few places where you just have to bear crawl or at least use your hands.  The kids do a great job.

This is the view of Boston from the very top of the Great Blue Hill.

R spotted this snake; she was very proud to have noticed him because he was not easily spotted.  He did a great job posing for a few photos.

This was a fantastic hike.  Everyone worked hard, and it was R's first time climbing all the way up and down without being carried at all.  We are very proud of her.  T did a great job navigating and setting the pace.  C has been a natural hiker from a young age; he loves to be out in the woods, and he is excellent at bear crawling in steep areas.  Kelly always has a great time hiking with us, and I love the way she constantly runs from the front of our group to the back to make sure everyone is okay.  She is such a good dog.  I enjoy watching my children hike, but I am far from talented in this area (my husband is an excellent hiker and even enjoys trail running!).  I enjoy hiking because it is a great family activity and gives my children an opportunity to spend some time in the woods!

A Winter Hike

We went out for a long winter hike yesterday.  It was tough, but the kids did great.  Everyone got some exercise and fresh air.  My favorite thing about winter hikes is the lack of mosquitoes!