Black Rock Sanctuary

We went for a walk at Black Rock Sanctuary this morning. It's a county park that was created for wildlife habitat and public use.

Phoenixville Dogwood Festival and Parade

Phoenixville had its annual Dogwood Festival this week. We walked down to the fair with our neighbors and their kids.





Leif and their friend Jack...


Logan and their friend Hale...


The view from the top of the ferris wheel...


Parade pics...

Mt. Misery at Valley Forge National Historical Park

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY BETH AND MOM!! WE LOVE YOU!!

The boys and I went hiking yesterday in Valley Forge NP. Kade hiked an entire mile by himself..




On our way there we saw a bluejay trying to eat a snake. I was able to get a quick picture of it before another car passed...


Here is a great example of the effect that deer have on a forest. They eat nearly everything that grows on the forest floor. This is an extreme case due to the high deer population in the park, but look how many plants are growing inside that fence and then look outside the fence...

Philadelphia Insectarium

Beth was a chaperone on the 2nd grade field trip to the Philadelphia Insectarium. All the kids had a blast and learned a lot...




Here is Logan and his teacher, Mrs. Piekara...


Some of the kids were brave enough to eat mealworms (but not Logan and Leif - wimps!)...


The Insectarium has lots of cool specimens, live and dead...

Envirothon at Green Valleys

We went to a really cool place called Green Valleys near Pottstown, PA for an environmental awareness festival today. Since it is Watershed Awareness Month the festival was to promote clean water and healthy, sustainable living.

There was a travelling petting zoo...



Logan and Leif both won first place in their 'heat' of the Kid's Run...


The whole family took a guided nature walk...

Visit with the Thompson Clan

Since the Thompson Clan (including Grammy, Grandpa, Aunt Judy, and Uncle Bob) was visiting the Parkers in Shepherdstown, we decided to make the trip and go and see them.

Kade has very strong opinions about the way he dresses. He insisted on wearing the pink duck boots that he found in Hazel's closet all day, and he was proud to show them to Grammy...



The big ball kept Kade entertained (and Bob and Judy!)...


Beth tried out the fake mustache; Kade wasn't sure about it...


We were actually able to get all the kids to sit still for a few minutes...

Linvilla Orchards

Spring is such a great time of year. The flowers are blooming and it's not too hot. The kids had lots of fun playing and feeding the animals...

Easter

Kade enjoyed the easter egg hunt and, surprisingly, so did Logan and Leif...




Kade was hilarious when he opened his first plastic egg. When it popped open it scared him, and then he was quite serious when opening his starburst...





Here is a good picture showing the difference between Logan and Leif's hair-dos...



Floyd ate a bee...