The Great Outdoors

With all the nice weather lately we've been spending quite a bit of time outdoors.  When my mom was here she was going out with the girls everyday that it was nice, plus Sean and I have been out with them also.

Ava really enjoys being outside, whether just to hang out while Fiona plays... 

or to sleep.

 Fiona LOVES her sidewalk chalk.

 She's got the artist look down.

Checking on the vegetable garden...only the radishes are coming up so far. 

Planting more perennials to replace the ones that didn't make it from last year.  Fiona helped me dig the holes...

and plant the flowers.

Then she helped Sean mow the lawn. 

She lasted for quite a while before she got bored. Then she turned around to Sean and told him "Daddy, this is making me tired."

We went for a hike at Siebenthaler Fen the last weekend my mom was here (last weekend in April).  Fiona hiked for most of it and then rode on Sean's shoulders for the rest.  It was a mile long trail.  We saw a male and female duck, plus part of the trail was flooded (with extra boards to walk on) because beavers had built a dam.

Ava hitched a ride the whole way. 

Sean and Fiona threw sticks into the water, which Fiona loved. 

Looking over the edge of the observation tower. 

Today we went on another hike, this time to John Bryan State Park, with our friend Joe who was visiting for the afternoon/evening. Sean, Joe and Fiona all had fun throwing rocks and sticks in the water.  Plus Fiona picked some dandelions   Every time she picked a new one, she gave her old one to Joe.  They also blew the seeds from the white dandelions into the field.  After our hike we decided to spoil our dinner by stopping at Young's Dairy for ice cream.  

Looking for more rocks. 

The river and waterfalls were flowing.