Fall Hike

This afternoon we went for a wonderful fall hike with some friends at Calvert Cliffs State Park. The trail was an easy walk-about 2 miles-down to a beach on the Chesapeake Bay.

 The kids had a blast all the way down the trail, running ahead, hiding behind trees, and then jumping out when we approached howling like a bunch of Indians! They also loved seeing all of the places where beavers had dammed up the creek. Evidently the park rangers have a full time job clearing parts of the dams away to keep the trail from being flooded!

 Once we got to the beach the kids spread out, looking for shells, fossils and shark's teeth. 

 Someone had built a make-shift bridge over the inlet where the creek water was rushing out into the Bay. Here's Bay next to the Bay! We love saying that!

 Tall grasses, sand and driftwood made a great place for a temporary fort. It was amazing to see the gang of kids play and run hard the entire afternoon. Even being wet and cold, they still ran and chased the entire 2 miles of trail back, and then played on the playground for another 1/2 hour. I think the fall weather really energized them- I know it does me!

 Also, a little school project in this post from this week. Bay and Leah are studying land animals this year. One project was to look at tracks. So we went down to the beach where we see tracks all of the time. We took plaster of paris and poured it into the best defined ones we saw. They turned out amazingly well!

This day we found raccoon (on the left), house cats (on the right), as well as some type of bird. We think it was a crow print, based on our animal tracks book. 

Pumpkins!

Pumpkins!

 Granni took the kids on their annual pumpkin picking trip to a farmer who lives very close to us. I just went along as official photographer since it was such a beautiful day. My instructions were clear to let this still be a special Granni/grandkids time-I was just the fly in the cornstalks!

 The new siding on the big red barn was perfect for a backdrop-

 Leah looking adorable

 Leah has been practicing her sideways glances and funny looks on her dad lately-she gave me plenty today as well.

 Bay-always ready to give a smile, and then a big hug after I took so many pictures, just because that's how he is!

 Eric really is quite a bit taller than Granni, but not THAT much! I can't tell if she's leaning on him for support or what? Anyways, it's the captured smile on Eric that is priceless in this picture. More on that later....

Veterans Day Parade

I have heard that our county hosts the largest Veteran's Day parade in our state. Whether it is or not, it certainly is quite a production for our rural little corner of America. All 3 high school marching bands are there, all of the scout troops, each of the JROTC squads from the schools, each of the rescue squads and fire departments, a set of Clydedale horses, bagpipers, a Confederate Army group, and a host of other patriotic groups.

We haven't been to the parade in a couple of years, but Leah was asking when we would go again. It is a beautiful fall day, so we went. Sometimes it is bitterly cold and not so pleasant! The kids have a great time...

My brother was coming into town and joined in the parade at the last minute with his Humvee. He cracks me up :)

Leah and Granni hanging out on the sidewalk waiting for it to start. The whole parade lasted more than an hour.

Where did she go????

Despite looking extremely bundled up, it really wasn't that cold. We were just very prepared!

Thank you to all those who have served...including my dad, brother and husband...

Happy Veteran's Day!