Posts
Besides good family time and BBQs at home, we all took a lovely trip to a beautiful park 30 minutes from our house. Formerly a private estate, now open to the public for only $5 per carload, we packed a picnic, sunscreen, and of course Alina's camera. We started off our visit with lunch and playtime at the shady playground: deli meat, grapes, carrots, chips, and lots of water.
Next, we started exploring the landscaped grounds. The pathways among the ponds and gradens provide many opportunities for the kids to run and explore, especially on such a sunny spring day.
Alina's goal for the day was to take as many photos of the kids as possible.
The girls don't have very many matching outfits but these dresses have always been a favorite. All it takes is for one girl to pick the dress to wear and the other girl will always pick it it, too.
While the girls happily posed in this pretty walled garden, Elliott spent his time racing around and around in circles, displaying his speed.
This tree is always a favorite. The inside is open, like a cave: a kid's delight.
This meadow surrounded by big rocks and a variety of green shrubs, is just asking for photos.
Nana and Alina soaked up the sunshine while watching the kids play.
After exploring the main garden grounds, we headed to the "Tank Park". This property has a military museum as well as real tanks preserved and stages among the trees. Climbing on the tanks is a fun for the kids. Luckily, Uncle Brent was there to help with all the heavy lifting.
We finished our visit with a snack at the Children's Garden. The garden has bridges, ponds, benches, paths, statues, signs, and of course a huge variety of kid-friendly flowers. It's a great place to get ideas for annuals and perennials, especially during Spring time as the garden is transforming toward the summer setup.
Also during Memorial Day weekend we took a family trip to the arcade/bowling alley. The kids aimed for the pins, enjoyed french fries, nachos, and hotdogs, collected tickets from winning video games, and rode the indoor carnival rides. Cheering for the current bowler is everyone's favorite part.
It's hard to say who has more fun: Nana or the kids.
Steve helped Gretchen learn to bowl.
Uncle Brent was our best bowler of the day.
This place has plenty of rides to satisfy the kids: the fast matterhorn (which goes backward and forward), bumper cars, wave swinger, whirling kiddie airplane rides, bouncing horses, and merry-go-round.
