Zoo Fun!

We decided to go to the zoo today.

Cadence was very excited about the trip!

Enjoy the pictures!

 A highlight of the trip was the new baby giraffe!

 Of course the carousel was also a big hit!

 Can't visit the zoo without going to the playground!

I didn't get a picture of it, but the gift shop is always a huge hit, too!

Bledsoe Creek State Park

Today was going to be above freezing, so we decided to take a picnic and go out hiking.  We headed over to Bledsoe Creek State Park .  After we had our picnic we hit the trail. 

Lyric was in a posing mood.  

The girls discovered this hole and decided to "study it."  I find it amusing that since my kids don't go to school the word "study" has such a different meaning to them than many kids.  The word "study" seems to pick up a negative connotation once you go to school.

Lyric had sisters join her for this pose.

Of course, we had to visit the playground.

Miss Lyric put Baby Lilly in her own swing.  She was not happy when mama pushed her too high and she fell out.  I didn't realize she couldn't hold on-oops!

Story Bell had to try out the most daring part of the playscape.  It will be much easier to relax when she is able to get rid of  all her tubies.

Miss Lyric even wanted to pose from the top of the playscape.

HELP!

She found the perfect rock for a picture!

Cadence ran out of energy, but Daddy was there to pick up the slack.

I taught the girls a VERY important skill from this bridge!  They now know if spit in the shallow water where you see fish the fish will swim up to your spit.  I was very surprised my husband didn't know this little tidbit.

Good times!

Radnor Lake

It wasn't freezing outside today, so we decided to head out for a hike.  I took this picture of Cadence when she was drying her hands after going potty right before we hit the trail.

I know it isn't the prettiest background, but don't you just LOVE that outfit!  She put it together herself.

 The girls stopped to admire a small waterfall.

 They were in a picture taking mood!  

 Sweet Story Bell posing for Daddy.

 "Let's take a picture on this bench with all five girls!"  Yes, Baby Lilly counts as one of the girls.

 "Now let's take one with the four girls and Daddy!"

 "Mama, take mine and Lilly's picture!"

 We walked down to check out the lake and discovered a thin layer of ice on it.  So, you know we had to throw some rocks.  They just sat on the ice, I guess it wasn't too thin.

 I love this picture!  If you look closely you can see the bright red robin in all the grey.

 It started to sprinkle a little, so we found some shelter.

 Story decided to try out this rocker on the porch of what I assume was some kind of offices (it was all closed up).  But then the girls decided it was a witches house and we all had to run away from it!

 Baby Cadence got tired of walking, but Daddy didn't mind helping her out.

 "Let's all get a picture with Daddy again!"

 You can see the sticks sitting on the ice on top of the lake, pretty cool.

 Lyric discovered this heart in the side of a tree on our way back to the car.

 They looked like a couple of teenagers walking back to the car.  They were just chatting and walking-so cute!  Except, I guess a teenager wouldn't have Baby Lilly stuck in her jacket to keep her warm and dry:-)

It was pretty chilly and a little wet, but we had a nice little hike!

Bike Riding and The Dog Park

We haven't been to Shelby Park since we moved, so today we decided to take the girls bike riding and let Marlie try out the dog park.  The girls had fun on their bikes.  It has been awhile since they have ridden them, since they can't ride them in the neighborhood.

We had to check out the river.

 After they rode their bikes the girls decided to check out the new natural play area.  It was so fun!  They played in the forts.

 Lyric made herself her balance beam.

 Marlie thought the play area was okay, but I'm sure she would have enjoyed it more if she could have gotten off of her leash.

 Cadence took a rest on one of the stumps.

 Story did a little building.

 She tried to figure out the water pump.

 After we played, we headed over to the dog park.  We were pretty worried how Marlie was going to act around the other dogs, since it was her first time at a dog park.

 We were surprised at how shy she was.  She wanted to stay close to us and kept her distance from the other dogs.

 She did like the open space to chase her ball and rope.

 The other dogs decided to come try to play with her, since she wouldn't play with them.  Devon and I talked about how it felt like taking the kids around other kids and how you secretly hope they make friends:-)

We will definitely be taking Marlie back to the dog park.  Hopefully, next time she can make a friend:-)