Hiking partner

For some reason, a bunch of people stopped to say hi to my hiking buddy when we stopped for a water and play break.

Trail

The weather today was only in the eighties. I celebrated by going hiking at Cedar Ridge along with everyone else who lives in the metroplex.

Picnic

Evelyn and I had an impromptu lunch picnic in a plaza in Southlake while running errands. She was remarkably coordinated with her blue shirt, skirt, and blueberries.

Past

In addition to gorgeous nature, Walnut Canyon also had a number of Anasazi ruins built into the cliffs.

Sunset Crater

On our last day in Flagstaff, we went for a hike at Sunset Crater. I was not expecting a post-volcanic wasteland to be so beautiful.

Clouds

The clouds at Walnut Canyon were unusually stupendous.

Grand

As advertised, the Grand Canyon is, in fact, pretty grand.

Priorities

Evelyn thinks that natural splendor is all very well, but a puddle to splash in is where the real entertainment is at.

Walnut Canyon

On Thursday, we went for a hike at Walnut Canyon. It was beautiful, but on the way back up, Rebecca and I had to stop for a lot of "picture breaks" that of course had nothing to do with the fact that we desperately needed to stop and breathe for a bit.

Workable

As this picture by Rebecca that I found on my camera illustrates, travelling has taught me that you can get a cup of whole milk almost anywhere, including, fortunately, coffee shops.

One

One year ago today our lives suddenly got a lot more complicated, sleep-deprived, and absolutely delightful.

Farm

Last Monday, Evelyn, Rebecca, Mom, Dad, and I went to the Chippewa Nature Center homestead farm. As soon as we got out of the car, Evelyn was excitedly pointing towards the sheep, ready to go see the animals.

Apparently, Aunt Rebecca and Evelyn both felt a bit skeptical about this sheep grazing outside the fence.

 So excited about the pigs. (And also horrifyingly enthusiastic about chewing on the splintered, mud-spattered fence.

Evelyn takes pig-farming seriously.

Inspecting the cows with Grandpa.

Tall Ships

Last Friday we visited the Tall Ships celebration in Bay City.

Rebecca was suitably excited.

Meanwhile, I completely failed to get a picture of Evelyn in the backpack carrier.

Back

We're back from Michigan, where Evelyn enjoyed spending time with a whole bunch of family members who think it's fun to have their faces pulled off by someone small and cute.

Ready to go

Evelyn is planning on travelling light when we go see her grandparents.

Aquarium

Evelyn and I went with friends to the SeaLife Aquarium in Grapevine yesterday. The fish were right at her level!

Tiny explorer

Blueberries

My aunt discovered a blueberry farm out in East Texas, so of course we had to go. Evelyn thought that the dirt-garnished blueberries were the very best thing ever.

Pictured: one of the reasons I haven't been blogging. (Not pictured: laziness - one of the other reasons I haven't been blogging.)

Pink

Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum wasn't all pumpkins and child's tears when we visited it last Wednesday...