Labor Day Weekend - Canyon Creek Adventure

It took almost an hour to get into the canyon (holiday traffic + system glitch), but once in we had the best time exploring the creek along the Paseo del Rio trail. The water was refreshing in the heat and most of the morning we had the place to ourselves. This was a new adventure for us, but one we will definitely repeat!

Hopped out of the car to take a picture by the sign since we were in standstill traffic

The creek varied in depth from just a few inches to waist deep and was perfect for kids

Griffin was nervous at first, but eventually got brave enough to start exploring on his own

The kids worked hard to carry rocks and shovel sand to create a dam. At the end of our stay we broke it up, but it was a fun project and they enjoyed the temporary pool it created

This outing was approved by the whole family. We will be back!

Hiking the Windmill Trail at Wildcat Bluff

On a Saturday at the end of May we took the kids hiking at Wildcat Bluff. It's a small nature preserve near our house that has a few trails that wind along the plains, through the mesquite forests, and near some rock outcrops. We took the Windmill Trail, which is 1.5 miles round trip. At the end is a windmill (hence the name) that pumps water out into a tank for local wildlife to drink from. 

It was a warm morning, but very windy so we didn't get too sweaty. Charlie walked some of the trail by himself before hopping in Dave's backpack, which is progress! After our hike we let the kids play in the sand dig pit for awhile before heading home. There are some other trails we'd like to try here, but I think we'll have to wait until summer is over because it's getting so hot. 

We made it to the windmill! There are little fish that live in the water tank and the kids liked trying to spot them swimming around. Sophie also found a caterpillar that really didn't want to be picked up, but she was persistent and eventually caught him. 

Davey lagged several yards behind on the way back, which is usual for him. He becomes a real turtle when his motivation disappears. 

Patches of mesquite are the only "forests" in our part of Texas. They don't provide much shade, but at least they block some of the wind!

Griffin was a trooper in the carrier, but was pretty happy to be let out and snuggled while the kids played in the sand.

Our First Adventure as a Family of SIX

We renewed our Texas Park Pass at the end of March and then it closed less than a week later due to COVID. Nooo! It was disappointing not only because we had just renewed, but also because spring is also the best time to visit before it gets too hot. Luckily the closure only lasted a few weeks, although we still had to wait because the initial opening only allowed groups of 5 or less, which meant our family was too large. The state must have received a lot of push back on that rule, because they modified it a few days later to allow larger groups if they were all from the same household. Now we could visit!

This was Griffin's first outing so somewhere other than a doctor appointment. Lucky baby got to go hiking before grocery shopping! We went back to our favorite place that has lots of open land for exploring. The kids had a great time running around after being cooped up for several weeks. We also found a new little cave system that Sophie and Davey had a fun time exploring. The whole morning actually went really well, which gave me hope that we will survive having six kids!

Sophie tried to make a bridge of sticks

Sophie and Davey had a great time climbing up on lots of different rocks

Exploring some little cave tunnels 

I got to hang out with the littles while the big kids explored with dad

Playing with the dust

Hiking can be an emotional experience for Charlie. He always wants someone to carry him, and we want him to walk. Sometimes a fruit snack is needed to distract him. 

If I trusted Sophie more, I would have had her hold Griffin so all the kids could be in the picture, but I thought it was best to wait :)

Palo Duro Adventures

We made three trips to the canyon this month, which is more visits than the last 6 months combined. Spring really is a wonderful time because even if it's windy, the temps are normally warm enough to still have fun, but it's not blazing hot yet. Hopefully we can make it back in a month or so after I recover from baby, because that's when all the wildflowers will start to bloom!

Our first trip was at the very beginning of March for a quick photo shoot of the kids (which I already wrote about), but then we also went back with friends one day after school, and then again just this week for a field trip for a break in our coronavirus isolation. 

Amarillo is flat and colorless so the canyon landscapes always welcome views

Charlie refused to walk the afternoon we went with friends so I got to carry him the whole time, which was quite the workout in my current state

Attempt at a group photo - 2 out of 5 looking and smiling is pretty normal!

The big kids hiked up through the cave while I stayed back with the little kids. Davey was really mad about being left behind, but it was nothing a fruit snack couldn't fix. 

Our visit this week was on a really warm day so we got there early to beat the heat and also avoid the crowds like good social distancing people should.

My Cactus Cutie and dusty Charlie

Taking a leap of faith - daddy was always there to catch them!

I tried to get the kids to help me build a rock tower, but they were not patient enough to stack slowly and left to go do other things after a couple attempts. Eventually Dave and I were able to make a pretty tall one!

After the tower was done, they came running back to take pictures with it :)

Family Pictures & Fun in Palo Duro

Sunday afternoon was gorgeous, so we ate an early dinner and then took a field trip to the canyon. First I took some pictures of the kids since our last "good" photos were a year old, and then we changed their clothes and let them play around in the dirt and rocks. They had so much fun and didn't want to leave. We stayed until dusk and made it home just before it was all the way dark to put some very dusty kids to bed. I'm glad we have such a neat place to visit so close to our house!

I was so excited to get not one, but two good pictures of the kids! Look at those cute smiles. I also took some individual portraits to use for their birthday posts. I'm glad we were able to get out and do these before baby comes.

Once the kids changed back into play clothes they wasted no time and got exploring!

Charlie's favorite activity was throwing dust and rocks. He was filthy by the end of the night.

Sophie and Dave climbed up to this rock. It's higher up than it looks in the photo. 

Sophie brought me a lovely bouquet of thistles that she picked up on the rock

Davey with his "hi-yah" sticks attempting to break the ground. He did this for almost an hour. 

Thanks for a fun night Palo Duro!