Getting our Hike on!

Before kids I used to love hiking whenever I got the chance!  Last month I went on our church's womens retreat and spent an afternoon hiking with my friend Jo.  It made me remember how much I loved it and missed it and I realized my kids are probably old enough to hit the trails again!  Sure enough, I took them on a hike at Los Rios nature trail in Oak Glen with some friends to see if they were into it and they loved it!  All the kids had a blast!  They lasted three hours on a three mile hike and everyone made it to the end!  I was so proud of all of them!  And us mommies! We decided this would be a great summer activity so next we went to Thurman Flats in the San Bernardino Mountains.  This was less hiking and more playing along the river.  We can't wait to do Forest Falls next week with our friends! 

First up is Los Rios Ranchos nature trail in Oak Glen.  I've only ever stayed on the shorter trail because there's a duck pond the kids like.  I saw Jo and Kelly heading in a different direction I'd never been.  The control freak in me wanted to tell them they were going the wrong way.  The new and improved and more spontaneous me decided to keep my mouth shut and go on an adventure.  Well this trail was three miles and a bit strenuous up and down huge hills!  We ended up going on a few detours and had to help each other across rivers with double strollers and babies!  Everyone was a trooper and we found our way in the end!

Riley in the stroller, Reed, Paige on the rock (of course), Ryan, Samuel and Mason.

Jo giving an assist to get all the kids in.  How cute is Samuel here with Reed and Paige?

Next attempt at a group pic on a log. 

All the kids in the middle left - ha ha!  Riley was trapped and Paisley and Mason were troopers!  So funny!

We brought the kids magnifying glass and bug kits to search for bugs!

Ryan, Paige, Reed and Samuel on the hunt!

I just love these pictures from behind.  Hmmm I think Paige might be giving Reed a shove here!

Love!

Trying to take a pic and Paige chucked some wood chips at me.  I love Masons face - ha!

Paisley, Samuel and Paige in front of the hose house.

Ryan's daddy is a fireman so I wanted to take this pic of him. :)

We saw this sign when we were about to the end of the trail!  It said something to the effect of not leaving your child alone because the mountain lions like to pick off the loners.  Good to know!

My babies!

Awww - love the moments where they do things like take each others hand with no prompting!

Yet another group pic with no cooperation!  I had to tell them to look at the bear behind me to even get them looking anywhere near me!

Buddies!

I told the girls to check if I had a booger.  That worked on them!  Two peas in a pod!  Paige and Paisley Paige.  How cute is that?

Next we wanted to go to Forest Falls but when we found out it was closed for remodeling the parking lot, we ended up at Thurman Flatts.

Heading down to the trail! 

Samuel, Paige and Reed 

Here come the mommies! 

My Reed is so cute! 

Crossing some logs. 

Paige and Samuel found walking sticks! 

Snack time! 

Sweet Wesley! 

I love these girls and how they are becoming little buddies!

Ali and Paigey 

The kids were all into the trash truck!  Apparently dumping a dumpster is much more impressive than a regular trash can! 

Speaking of trash, the kids really noticed how much litter was all along the river.  It was so sad to see!  It gave us an idea to go back and bring bags to collect the trash and teach the kids about protecting our environment.  We can't wait!

"You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing." (Psalm 65:9-13)