• Hiking & Tracking Animals in the Snow

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    Hiking through the woods

    Most kids love to go sledding, building a snowman, make snow angels, and more crazy stuff in the snow.  One of the first things our kids want to do is take a hike in the woods.  They love going through the woods, checking out the stream, and looking for various animal tracks in the snow.  We saw a lot of animal tracks and most of them I knew what they were there was only one set that had me stumped….still haven’t quite figured it out even after looking up pictures.

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    One of our favorite stops by the stream.  Always gurgling down hill even on the snowy days.

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    Lots of deer tracks going through the woods after the snow and ice stopped.

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    Karlie looking for animal tracks.

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    Karlie loves being outside.

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    Brina brought the sled and was sledding down hills on our hike.  She managed to go around most trees.

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    Little tracks….

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    This was the one that perplexed me, it was as big as my hand and had 5 claws (or toes).

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    Lots of little bird tracks.

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    Skipper goes swimming in the creek even when its icy cold and snowing!

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    Little bird…

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    Cat paw prints.

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    Hanging out in the woods.

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    Talking, walking, and having fun in the woods.

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    Karlie loves getting out of school for snow days!

  • Trip to the Joe’s Place Book Store and Falls Park

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    My parents on the bridge over Reedy River at Falls Park

    While my parents were in town we made a trip to downtown Greenville.  We stopped first at Joe’s Place Book Store where my sister-in-law works.  The book store is only a couple of blocks away from Falls Park so we decided to go through it on our way back to our cars.

    I was so busy looking at books in the book store I didn’t even take a picture!  Oops! We did have fun and got some good books.  Guess we’ll have to go back again to snap a few shots at our next visit.  I didn’t realize it was the first time my parents had seen the big suspension walking bridge over Reedy River.    We went through the park and on a few scenic hiking trails before heading back to the vehicles.

    It was a good walk, a beautiful day, and the kids were able to vent a little extra energy.  Thankful for time with family.

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    Brina speed hiking through the side trail.

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    The kids loved these little side trails!

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    Nicko and Karlie heading up the trail.

  • Hiking Through the Woods

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    The girls love going for hikes in the woods!

    Recently the girls and spent a couple hours outside having a picnic, hiking through the woods, climbing on trees, raking our campsite, playing with the animals, and more fun.  Thankful for some quiet and relaxing time with them out in nature.  They love spending time outside. Hiking through the woods is always an adventure with them!

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    Skipper is always willing to join us!

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    Karlie hanging out  by the big tree!

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    Waiting patiently for us as the girls play around and climb a couple trees.

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    Enjoying our time outside!

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    Hiking deeper into the woods!

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    Raking and trimming the thorny bushes at our old campsite.  The girls are ready to go camping again!

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    Brina having a blast!

  • Travel & Vacation: Red Rocks Overlook Trail & Amphitheater

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    My cousin Renelle and her husband Eric took the girls and I to see the Red Rocks!

    While we were in Colorado a few weeks ago we got to go for a hike up the Red Rocks Overlook and check out their Amphitheater!    The red rocks were huge, beautiful boulders on the side of the mountain.  It would have been neat to see them right after a rain storm, they probably look gorgeous!  In the Red Rocks Amphitheater they hold many concerts.  The Red Rocks are on over 800 acres of land and at about 6,500 feet above sea level.

    The Red Rocks Amphitheater was formed naturally.  The way the rocks line up provides an amazing acoustic setting for concerts.  There is a museum at the Red Rocks Amphitheater were you can see all the musicians who have performed.  The had all kinds of artists and groups including Bon Jovi, The Beatles, Sting, Opera Singers, and many more!

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    The red rock boulders were huge!

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    Brina hiking up to the top of the Red Rocks Overlook Trail.

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    Cool Red Rock boulders lined the hiking trail!

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    Brina taking a moment to sit down while Karlie thinks about how cool it would be to have one of those big rocks at her house (no I wouldn’t let her take one home on the plane, ha)!

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    Uncle Eric, Brina, and Karlie hiking up the trail!

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    Looking at the Red Rocks Amphitheater and parking lot below!

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    Just as long as they piece on top doesn’t roll my direction….

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    A view of the Red Rocks Amphitheater from the top of the Red Rocks Overlook Trail!  They were getting ready for a concert that evening!

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    Karlie and Brina enjoying their time exploring the Red Rocks!

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    What goes up….must come down!  Walking back down the trail with Aunt Renelle!

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    Brina pausing to let me take a quick picture!

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    A view of the Red Rocks Amphitheater from the top railing.  It seats about 10,000 people.  I bet it looks amazing at night during a concert!

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    The girls had to run down all the stairs of the amphitheater!  At least they were able to get in a little extra exercise!

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    Inside the Red Rocks Museum they had a wall listing all the years, dates, and musicians that have performed in the amphitheater.  They also had several other cool rooms to go through and explore.  It was a pretty neat adventure for the kids.  My cousin Renelle had been at a concert there a few years ago and said it was awesome!!!



  • Travel & Vacation: Picnic and Hike Around Lily Lake

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    Karlie and Brina hanging out at Lake Lily

    We head up to Lake Lily to have a picnic, walk around the Lily Lake Loop, and enjoy the scenery.  It was a beautiful day.  A little colder than we are used to in South Carolina.  We had a wonderful day with family!

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    Dad trying one of Renelle’s Wasabi Seaweed Strips!  Spicy, crispy, and delicious!

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    Fun at Lake Lily!

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    Renelle brought these super cool hippo treats.  The outside was a crunchy cookie dipped in white chocolate and chips of chocolate.  The inside was a creamy chocolate.

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    Pausing for a picture with Grandma Penny and Aunt Mary Ann on our hike around Lake Lily.

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    Karlie wanted a picture with these cool fallen tree by the lake!

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    The Rocky Mountains scenery is beautiful!

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    Having fun in the Rocky Mountains!

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    Grandpa Russell by Lake Lily!

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    Gorgeous mountains around Lake Lily!

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    Soaking in the scenery around the lake.

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    Karlie all smiles on the hike around the lake.

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    Grandpa Russell on a stroll at Lake Lily!

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    Love spending time with my girls exploring.

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    Karlie loves being outside!