Ivy seems ready to take off walking at any moment so Brian thought we should help her with a few lessons. Going between the two of us didn’t work so well because she kept sitting down but Brian discovered she would go for a solid object pretty well. This video is from Friday.
Not much longer and we’ll have two munchkins running around!
Saturday morning we decided to go on a bike ride. I wanted to go somewhere different and Brian had seen some new “river walk” development from his window at work so that’s where we headed. The morning was beautiful, the kids excited and we were ready for some adventure!
We biked the 4 miles to work then headed off in search of the new area Brian had seen. There was a bunch of construction in the area because the land is still being developed, so in order to get where we wanted to go we took a little short cut. Unfortunately, it had rained the night before.
Brian went first and his tires got so caked with mud that he couldn’t even move the bike. I decided to look around for a different way.
We made a pit stop while Brian scrapped his tires clean, Lance checked out the bulldozer and Ivy checked out the snacks.
Getting things clean, we proceeded to our intended destination – a portion of lake edged with a sidewalk.
Along the way we discovered a playground which necessitated another break.
We resumed our ride and finished getting around the lake. Then we had to get back without taking the same trip through the mud.
After several attempts we finally crossed a grassy field only to find a 30 yard strip of mud still cut us off from our desired destination. Not wanting to retrace our steps we forged ahead. The mud was so nasty that we couldn’t push our bikes ten feet before they were inoperable so we ended up carrying them, kids and all, the rest of the distance. My shoes picked up mud with each step until they became so heavy I could hardly walk and carry the bike. Brian came to my rescue 🙂
Scrapping off what we could, we retraced our 4 mile trip back home. Brian started riding through every puddle he saw and I soon followed his example. After half a dozen puddles we were splattered with muddy water and grinning like little kids. We finally made it home, wet, tired and hungry. Brain washed the bikes and shoes while I prepared lunch. We all got showers and then Brian and I watched a movie while the kids napped. What a fun day!
Our normal morning routine was interrupted by an invitation to an adventure with our friends. Never one to miss out on some fun, of course we went along!
“Going Bonkers” is a huge play gym made especially for working off excess energy. (note: this is only half of the play structure)
We started in the toddler area while Lance got accustomed to the webbing. Lance had fun and Ivy was never far behind!
I was amazed that Ivy could crawl along without getting her hands caught in the holes – she is one tough little girl! Pretty soon Mommy got bored of the small area and decided to “help” Lance play on the rest of the equipment.
Friends watched Ivy and treated her to the teapot ride which she loved.
Meanwhile, Lance and I climbed mountains, crossed narrow bridges….
…and scaled the heights.
All in conquest of the slides! They were fast and long – very fun. Lance and I even went down on our bellies like superman!
Everybody pretty much wore out after 2 hours and we all headed home for naps. What a fun outing!!
The adventure continues.
The weather was absolutely perfect for camping! Cold but not freezing at night and cool to warm during the day.
Our first morning Brian cooked up a fantastic breakfast which we ate down by the lake. I had fun feeding crumbs to the fish.
We cleaned up then hit the bike trails for at least ten miles of riding.
After lunch we decided to play horseshoes on the beach prior to swimming. We also decided to hike the long way around to the beach. Poor Brian carried the horseshoes the whole way – I carried the stakes 🙂 When we finally made it to the beach we were really hot and in danger of getting a sunburn but after toting the gear all that way we just HAD to play a game. 🙂 It seems that every time I’m expecting we take a trip and do a lot of physical activity – this time was no exception. Afterward the game (Brian won) we took a refreshing dip in the lake and raced out to the floating dock. Brian was shocked with my speed and I told him it was because I was so skinny I had no drag 🙂
After our swim we played a few games. Brian creamed me at Tennessee for Two but I paid him back in Cribbage, getting the highest scoring hand you can possibly have and ending the game in a skunk.
Final event before supper and s’mores was the nature walk. We found a pretty spring and took our picture of course!
At the top of the spring I found a Geo Cache – didn’t know what it was and was afraid to disturb it but found out later that it’s a sort of game and people try to find them then record it in a little book located inside the box. Oh well.
They had done a lot of controlled burning in the park. Brian and I were amazed at how precise they were – leaving clear trails in the middle of burned patches.
Some nature. Dogwoods were in bloom which added a pretty touch to the park.
All in all, we had a wonderful time and marveled how easy life was with just two people. Thanks to Brian’s parents for watching the kids!
“Honeymoon” adventures.
Sunday morning Brian and I left the kids with grandma and took off for a little time of just being together and camping at Lake Tyler. First stop was Texas Roadhouse where we finished up a gift card with an early steak lunch – yummy!
Next we played frisbee golf at a course in Tyler. All was fine until we entered the woods and some of my less than professional throws ended up in the poison ivy! Brian bravely retrieved my disc (on multiple occasions). On a side note, we both took a cold shower as soon as we reached the campground and carefully isolated our clothes. Thankfully I was preserved from suffering an outbreak!
However, before we reached the camp grounds Brian took me by the Tyler Rose Garden where we strolled among the bushes and enjoyed landscape and remembered the last time we were here – for my birthday several years ago.
Reaching our destination we picked the perfect spot and set up camp – well away from others, close to the lake and also close to the bathrooms 🙂 The camp stove, though tested the night before decided not to work. Brian tried to figure out why, while me of little faith started gathering firewood. Brian amazed me with his ability and ingenuity, fixed the stove and I prepared a yummy dinner while he finished arranging the camp site. Afterwards we took a short walk around one end of the lake to enjoy the sunset. Back at camp we played backgammon by fire light (thanks to the wood I collected) before turning in to the sound of bullfrogs.
This tale will conclude in the next post.
