Get Outside, Get into Nature

Now that it is summertime in Houston and it is getting blazing hot, I am missing all the fun things we did outside as a family over the few months when it was cool and refreshing.  Here are some pictures I never posted, starting way back in January.  (You can tell how long ago it was by the length of Ethan's hair):

Even though we are city locked where we live, at least one hour a day and part of every weekend we spend outside, in the great, great outdoors.  

Over the last few months, we have hiked, biked, strolled, camped, picnicked and played.

Sometimes we took trips out of the city,

and sometimes we just hung out at home.

We went to sporting events,

created our own sporting events,

went to vineyards,

fed animals,

rode animals,

played with friends,

and just goofed around.

We spent time at the Houston Arboretum, our favorite escape within the city,

and spent our fair share of time at all the parks around us and the zoo.

If Ethan had his choice he would spend his life outside.

He is at the perfect age to explore every park and trail and tree and bug.

The older he gets, the more interested he is in learning about all the plants, animals and critters we see when we are out.  

It's cliche, but it really is so amazing watching E discover about the world around him.

And of course, it's just as much fun to watch Kels explore as well.

She loves to get out and work hard when she's hiking,

carrying the heavy loads,

and keeping us all in line,

including Malley.

She loves to watch the 'tootles' and 'pish' in the pond

and just get comfortable in nature.

A few randoms of our time outside:

Even though it's hot now, we are still getting outside.  But for the next few months, our outside time will involve water!