The Great Outdoors

I am SO glad the weather is finally starting to cool down here (highs in the low 90's--it's still hot, but much better than 100+!).  We've spent more time outside this week than we have in a LONG time, including two outdoor activities as a family.  On Wednesday we went to a local park on our second letterbox hunt, with Daddy along this time (but alas, the camera stayed home!)  It took a little searching, but we finally found the box!  The stamp was a Jolly Roger, which is fitting, since this Sunday is international "Talk Like a Pirate Day!"  The boys were fascinated when we saw a couple of trees that had obviously been gnawed by a beaver.  When we walked the trail around the lake (well, large pond, really), we saw the beaver's dam, and judging from the scuffle and splash as we walked (noisily!) up, I think we narrowly missed getting to see the builder himself!  We enjoyed some of the porch-swing style swings by the lake and the boys played on the playground for a while.  It was hot, but not unbearable!

Today we went hiking at Lake Mineral Wells State Park.  The boys and I had hiked this trail when we went camping with our MOPS group there last year, and we've been wanting to go back with Aaron ever since.  It's a beautiful area, and the trail we hiked has lots of rocks to climb on. 

And lots of rocks to throw in the lake.

And really cool lizards eating lunch.  

We saw two of these guys!  I haven't spent the time yet to look it up and figure out what they are, but they were the biggest lizards I've ever seen in the wild, and they had really interesting markings!

It's so much fun watching the boys have fun exploring and discovering.  And of course, heaving really big rocks into the lake! *grin*