Eagle River

We have had some beautiful sunshiny days the last week. I don't want to jinx, but hope they stay around for a long time. This is going to be our last summer, and it would be nice to not get rained on all summer....like last summer....we hit the record for the most days in a row with rain...it was 30 something.

Anyway, we went to the Nature Center in Eagle River for a short lecture about woodpeckers followed by a walk around the trails to look for signs of woodpeckers. When it was time to turn around and head back to the building, our group decided to keep going. We went down to the river and hung out a while. It was nice to be outside with the sun shining, and no schedule. The kids ran up and down the river. They also tried running onto the river, which was probably safe, but myself and the other mom are not risk takers when it comes to our kids falling through an icy river and floating away under the ice. So, the kids were not very happy and kept testing us. The BIG kid especially. Yeah, Thomas did make it halfway out and was hitting it with his heel in attempt to show us worry-wart moms how "safe" it was to be on the ice.

This is a salmon stream that runs off the river.

Looking into the stream... someone lined a present up for us. For those unaware, them be moose nuggets, otherwise known as turds.

She knows something I don't...wonder if I'll ever figure out what it is?

Parts of the trail were a little flooded...

Even when the river is FROZEN, they have to throw rocks...what is up with that?

Oh, and who taught Emma how to throw?

I'm telling ya, it was gorgeous. I could've sat out there all day, minus the kid noise would've been helpful, listening to the sounds of outdoors and marveling at God's creation. Actually, the kid noise wasn't so bad, they are a pretty spectacular God creation too. I just wanted to hear the birds singing.

Every rock is special...

He's pretty special too, and sometimes he's stubborn as a rock. He's as tall as me now. Hear me? "As tall," not taller as he insists. When did that happen?

It was so funny...they were hitting the ice yelling "we've struck water!" over and over.

Trying to prove to me he wouldn't fall through the ice.

Disclaimer: if you haven't raised a boy, you might want to skip the next few pictures.

This is Matthew's hand position all the time. Running, sitting, standing, playing hockey, whatever....the thing is always needing, uh-hum, to be pushed down.

So, he pushes it down...

...then crosses his legs to hold it down...
...keeps legs crossed...(until he forgets and has to push it back down)
...then rubs his face. Great.

What kid isn't happy with a stick, dirt, and rocks?
THIS is what being a kid is all about! Forget the plastic action figures and dolls.

He was building a house...

Not sure what to make of this. Other than, what's a girl to do when she's surrounded by boys? She likes to hold hands, and there weren't any "girl" friends around to walk with.

On the way back to the nature center...
On the other side, they were having a spitting contest. Eww.


That's all. We had a GREAT day and can't wait for Daddy to come home and go with us on a hike/walk at the nature center. And next time, we'll remember the bear spray.