Maple Sugar Festival

St Patrick's Day 2012 . . . and the weather was in the upper 70s.  That is unheard of in Kalamazoo at this time of year.  I remember when we went to the Maple Sugar Festival at the Nature Center 2 years ago and we didn't even go on a hike to the maple sugar shack because it was snowing, windy, and SO cold.  We are getting so spoiled by this warm weather!!  Today we rode our bikes to the Nature Center for the pancake breakfast and a hike through the woods to see how they boil the sap to make maple syrup.  Because of the extremely warm weather, the sap hasn't been running . . . but it was fun to pretend!  My parents came along which I'm so thankful for because my Dad pulled one of the bike trailers so that I didn't have to pull one.  Thanks Dad!!  The bike ride was beautiful and the kids really enjoyed it.  We took the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail most of the way.  Samuel loved how many times we had to cross the train tracks because of the big bumps (and because he loves train tracks!).  Hope didn't like the bumps so much.  We stopped on the train tracks at one point because we spotted some deer a pretty good distance away.  I pointed out the deer to Samuel and when he saw them he said, "Look! Reindeer!"  And then, "They didn't have Santa's sleigh behind them!"

 After we ate our pancake breakfast we headed out for a hike in the woods.  At the pancake breakfast when Samuel prayed, he said, "And thank you that we could eat pancakes at the Nature Center".  In this picture everyone is looking for some sap in the buckets.  There actually was some in there!

 Aliyah missed her Grandma!  (She's been in Florida for the past 2 weeks.)  She hardly let Grandma out of her sight today and she kept saying, "Grandma!  Here!" with a big smile on her face.  

 Looking at the sap

 She looks like a maple sugaring pro . . . doesn't she? ;)

 I kept trying to get Samuel to look at the camera so that I could take a picture with him and his Grandpa.  I said, "Samuel, quit being a stinker for the camera!  Look at me and smile!"  His reply was, "But Mommy, I'm curious about these stones right here!" (as he's kicking the stones with his feet)  Smooth, Samuel!  What am I supposed to say to that!

 My pretty little girl.  I am realizing more every day that she isn't a baby anymore.  They grow up too quickly!!

 Love me some Hopey!  She was very busy collecting stones.

 Samuel was busy collecting stones too.  Why, oh why does he look so stinkin' old in this picture?!

The day was absolutely perfect.  What a great day to be outside!

 Waiting to start the ride back home.  Samuel was so excited about riding in the trailer to the Nature Center.  He waited at the end of our driveway for Grandpa and Grandma to get to our house on their bikes.  He watched and waited for a long time (10 minutes-ish) before he saw them coming down our street.  I love watching him so excited about things like that!

 The girls did pretty well in the bike trailer together.  Except for the time that Aliyah had Hope's hand twisted in a death grip.  Just because she could.  Why not? :)

This picture is out of order and I don't really feel like moving it.  Proof that I was there too. :)