Recovering...

Anyone who has been keeping up with us on Facebook has known that we were knocked over with a fun case of strep. The whole.family. Thankfully the antibiotics did what they do and worked wonders. It is sooo great to feel alive again! The natives were restless (ok, I was getting restless with the natives!) and we still hadn't had our 24 hours under the medicine so we ventured out where people were few. The Piedmont Environmental Center has been a favorite quick go to for outdoor fun since we have moved here. Small trails, the Greenway and the Tee Pee!!! 

It had been down for awhile so when the kids spotted it, they were so excited to be able to check it out again. 

We had a quick picnic inside and enjoyed being inside away from the wind.

We finished Little House on the Prairie last week so being inside a Tee Pee naturally called for a war dance. The kids had a great time chasing eachother around the fire pit area.

Love it that there are a few little animals we can check out inside. The people are always really nice to talk to us and give us a few facts. 

Nothing like a little boost from a big brother to check out the "nake!" (snake)

I don't know what it is about my crew but they love to re-create the familiar. When we first moved here we discovered this huge map of North Carolina. It explains all the areas of our state and so now each time they reteach me about the topographical highlights of NC. 

His newest pose. For all pictures... ;)

We haven't been hiking that much this winter it seems. Well maybe not here so we were happy to set off to go see the sights. There is a beaver dam down by the lake that we like to check out so it is easy to get the kids to venture forth!

Love the trees without leaves! 

Found this little treasure on the way. Doesn't it look like a heart? Perfect, just in time for Valentines Day!

So beautiful! Loved the way the light was hitting the other side of the lake. 

Thank goodness Mr. Jakers had a safe distance from the water. 

Totally cracking up because about 5 seconds before this picture, Luke was looking at tracks in the mud. Of course Jake found some too! Haha!

Already finding signs of spring. Wait, did we have winter?? I will really work hard at not going on and on about how we haven't had any snow... Sigh...

Logs across any small amount of water have to be crossed!

And at this point we were wondering where we were! We were a bit more adventurous as I normally stick to one trail (or at least have the little handout map!) but I decided to get all "Jon" on this hike and wing it. The nice part about hiking in winter is that the view around us was more bare and I could see where we were in relation to the center. I think in this picture Kylie was having her moment as the sun was setting behind us and I was of course saying we might have to camp outside!

And at this point, my camera decided to give me trouble. My lens is crazy stuck but thankfully it worked for one last picture of Kylie rescuing Jake. He had a brief moment where he wanted up and of course Kylie does whatever he wants! LOL! Needless to say the backride didn't last long. Jake is a pretty good hiker for his age overall!

We made it back to the car safely and it was before dark. We had such a great time getting out without infecting anyone! Thankful for my little adventurers and my goal is to get them able to go farther as they get older. We have so many wonderful places to explore here and I hope this summer brings some really great trips!