The Mary K. Oxley Nature Center has some beautiful trails.
It is located in Mohawk park next to the zoo.
They do get very messy if it has been raining a lot and some even disappear all together so it is best to go when it has been dry.
With the abundance of water you get to see a lot of wildlife.
Some I prefer seeing from a distance.
They have lookouts to view birds from and a pretty nice nature center.
The Redbud Valley Nature Preserve is one we have heard of for a long time and been meaning to go to for a LONG time.
It is only about 30 mins. from us but I always chose a longer hike instead.
The longest trail in the preserve is a mile long so it is a little short for our usual family hikes but very nice for someone just starting out or with little ones.
We were laughing at “very,very rugged”, I have not seen that description often.
It was definitely not stroller friendly but I would not be discouraged the by the sign at all it was not that bad.
The boys gave this place two thumbs way up!
They really liked the climbing involved and the fact it was not super long.
We push them a lot…
We went around once going on the cliff trail and the woodland trail.
Then we went around again using the main trail.
The trails intersected a lot so you are doing some of the same hike again but we did not mind.
In total it was around 2 miles of hiking.
Definitely a place you want to check out if you have young kids or want a short hike in a scenic place.
It was a very beautiful hike!
They have very specific hours so be sure to check out their site before you go!
Last week I went with my family to the Grand Canyon!
Nick and I have both been before but this was my boys 1st time!
We hiked down into the canyon a ways.
My oldest took our pic for us while we were taking a break.
I handed off the camera many times and asked my husband to take shots with me in them.
It is important that I have proof I was there!
Plus I know it will be fun to look back on later.
Second hike in.
I held my youngest little man’s hand a lot.
It was really not as scary as I thought it would be though.
That did not stop me from dreaming all night about steep drop off’s…
He brings out my mature side…
Pueblo in Arizona.
What can I say, sometimes I have something better to look at than the camera.
Red Rocks in Arizona!
This was an unexpected surprise, so beautiful!
Painted Desert.
Sandia Mountains at sunset!
Getting to hike on a snow covered mountain was another wonderful surprise!
These boys were so excited!
My oldest kept saying, “you found it!!!!”.
My happy place.
Some fun before we headed back home!
Make sure you get in the shot this holiday season!
Take a deep breath and hand over that camera!
If you are not happy with your weight here are a few tips.
-have them take it from above (low adds on pounds)
-angle yourself (you do not want to be the broadest to the camera, make your husband stand straight on so he looks bigger! he he he).
Check out Emily at the Anderson Crew for more inspiration about getting in the shot.