On the Trail

The boys have loved going exploring on the nature trails of the Chalk Ridge Falls Park near Lake Stillhouse Hollow lately.   They run and jump and climb and explore and have a great time!!!  It has been so dry this past year that many areas are very low and dried out, so they can climb around areas that would normally be a small area of creek.  We haven't spotted any animal wildlife, although the boys are always on the lookout for snakes, racoons, armadillos, squirrels, deer, wild hogs, etc.

There's one thing for sure, these boys just love the outdoors!!!

 

 Getting ready to jump off a little step together  ;)

 Climbing up in trees

 Seth is checking out all the "BIG trees!!!!"

 A little old suspension bridge -- they loved crossing over this (very carefully!)

 Checking out the river down below

 Off on the trail

 Throwing rocks!!!!  To boys this is SERIOUSLY as fun as winning the lottery!!!  They could do it for HOURS!

 Seth has learned how to throw rocks like his brothers!

 Daniel stopped for an odd smile!

 Luke got to walk across a HUGE fallen tree with Daddy -- this was ~12-15 feet off the ground and there was a shallow creek-bed down below... Daniel, Seth, and I went around the "long way" to get to the other side.  But Luke was very brave!

 Seth climbing happily

 Daniel and Daddy!

More fishing

It was a great afternoon for trout fishing at the pond.  The boys ended up catching a total of 15!!!  (5 per day per person is the limit).  They had lots of fun reeling them in, holding them, and putting them on the stringer.

Even little Seth got  ahold of a fishing pole for a little bit!

 

 Holding his first one of the day.

 Daniel was holding his, but it flopped to the ground.  They're so slippery!

 Luke reeling another one in -- he's almost got it all the way in here!

 Taking a little break from fishing to play!

 Seth's turn to help reel one in

 WOW -- looks like a big one!

 Riding bikes on the trail afterwards

 Sweet Seth

 The boys with their fish!

Park Play

It was a nice and sunny day, so we went to play at the park yesterday afternoon.  The wind made it a bit chilly and there was a cool front moving in, but that didn't stop the boys from running and playing and getting their energy out!  We love these Texas winter days that we can be outside!!!

 Luke doing the monkey bars -- he loves swinging from them!

 Swinging -- Seth's favorite part of the park!

 Luke and Daniel climbed up the little mountain to hang out up on top

Daniel's first time to get across the little monkey bars all by himself!!!  Way to go, Buddy!

 

Taking a little break for some snacks 

 Seth swinging -- again!

 And a little bike riding at the end of the park trip!

 Fun times in January!   I know my boys will not always be this little or this thrilled to be out at the park, so I will enjoy these days while I still can!!!

Fishin' and Huntin' Boys!

 My 2 oldest boys are getting old enough that they fit right in with the men in the family -- they LOVE the great outdoors -- they love to fish and hunt, and hike and explore!

The went trout fishing with Daddy recently and caught 10 trout (in less than 2 hours... so that was lots of reeling in!!!)  [Side note:  trout are not a fish that is native to our area, but the city stocks a few little ponds in the winter a couple of times just for kids (little and big) to have fun catching them.]  

We cooked them (pan dried and baked) and they were really good -- not very "fishy" tasting at all!

 Proud fishing boys!

And then this weekend, my brother came down to go duck hunting at a nearby lake.  The boys thought it was neat to see the ones he shot.  He got 6 the first day, then 6 or 7 the next day when Robert, my dad, and Luke all went out together.  They spent the better part of the day out on the lake scouting out places and getting into position to get the ducks.  Luke thought it was so much fun getting to hang out with the big guys!

Seth Jumps!

Well, 18 months sure have flown by -- it's hard for this momma to believe it, but alas on January 6th,  it is what the calendar told me!  My "littlest" (don't tell him, he's little!) boy is already 18 months old!!!  

He's got all kinds of tricks and a super big personality, as well as a vocabulary that is exploding right now!!!  He likes to ask "Name?" when he wants to know what something is called and when you tell him what it is, he will repeat it and often remember from then on!!!  

He's so fun and adventurous... always smiling and happy... always running after his big brothers... always quick to give a "hug, biss (kiss)" and say "Wuv ooo!"

We love this little guy and all the spunk that he adds to our family!!!

Happy 18 months, sweet Seth Vaughan!!!

 A sweet little smile and slight look of mischief!

 His favorite lovie -- his "Na-nie" (Blankie)

 He now has 10 teeth -- only 2 top molars so far, but the other 2 are coming soon.

 A little serious

 Getting ready to show off!  His latest trick -- He jumps!

 JUMP!!!

 Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 And sticks the landing!

 And then he bounces up to do it all over again!

Happy New Year 2012!

Well, as hard to believe as it is, 2011 has already come and gone!  It was a fast and very busy year for our family!  

We enjoyed a big trip to Boston in April, we put our house on the market and purchased a new house in the country, we experienced our 1st organized sports league (Luke playing Fall soccer), and we got moved into our new house... just to name some of the big things!  We had lots and lots of fun along the way!

We look forward to what is to come in this new year!  The fun of being in a new house and out in the country, enjoying the great outdoors!

And we have the added blessing of expanding our family this August!!!  We are thrilled to be expecting our fourth little blessing in a few months!

God has been so good and faithful and He has blessed us in so many ways!

We wish everyone a very blessed and very happy 2012!!!