So long, Summer

Yesterday was officially our last day of summer, as it was the last day that I would be home with the kids. Of course, we wanted to go out with a bang, so we planned a great adventure!!

Shellee and I took our kids (plus Lexie) to the Nature Center for a little hiking, picnic, and nature!! We arrived and went to the information building where we saw snakes, turtles, possums, and a bobcat. After recovering from the initial shock of seeing 9 kids come in with only 2 adults, the helpful, elderly info lady took us into a special room where we could see a special something that is native to Texas. After some unsuccessful guesses as to what it might actually be (even while seeing it), I managed to guess the right animal, much to our relief! She seemed somewhat offended that we didn't know what it was. What was it, you might ask?? A prairie dog, of course!!


While he doesn't have a name (that would suggest attachment), he does love having his neck rubbed, as is demonstrated in the second picture!

We also did some birdwatching!!



After learning all we could, we headed out to do some hiking on their 20+ miles of trails. We started out on a path that was fairly paved and wide. I thought more than once that it seemed kind of odd that a hiking trail would be paved. Our trail proved to be a very short one and somehow ended right back at our car. Confused, I consulted our trail map and quickly learned that we had just complete the .21 mile Handicapped trail!!! We were so proud!!

We went on to bigger and longer trails...one that overlooked the marsh.

There was some serious nastiness in that water!!

The kids were even grossed out as they studied it!!

We hiked and hiked and hiked. We got really hot and really hungry! After a picnic lunch, we hiked over to an island to check it out. The island hike was just getting going well when a swarm of somethings - possibly hornets - decided to attack John Wesley! The group of kids was up ahead of us, so we didn't see what actually happened; we just heard the blood-curdling screams from all the kids!! I seriously expected to see an alligator or a wild bobcat chasing them as they turned the corner - it was that serious of a scream!!

All I kept thinking was, "We are on this island all alone with all these kids, no trail map, no help, no nothing!! How are we going to fight off a crazed animal??!?!"

So, needless to say, I was pretty relieved when we figured out it was a flying-stinging something!! I mean, I felt bad for JW, but I was glad I wasn't going to have to wrestle an alligator to get a child back!!

The stinging incident pretty much ended the fun at the Nature Center so it was time to head to the pool!! The big kids did some serious swimming, breaking both Olympic and World records!! Here are Jordan and Alex going head-to-head!! These guys were serious about their swimming! Shellee had to time them and they worked hard to beat their "personal best!"

Landry says, "to heck with the swimming - I'm exhausted!!"

All in all, it was a great day with some great friends!! While the dog days of summer are pretty much gone, we've had some good times to remember!!