One thing that I yearn for my children to have and experience is a backyard. It’s such a simple pleasure that I hope to never take for granted again after living in a stairwell apartment.
I long to be able to send my children outside to play in the grass and dirt with fresh air abounding all around them.
The best thing about our marriage retreat last weekend, other than learning about marriage, was the excitement and happiness the girls and Will experienced playing outside.
The bungalow we stayed in had a small little backyard and patio area. EA, MC, and Will picked up sticks in the yard and played with them. They ran around and chased each other. And Keith was able to get some pictures of playing outside.
On Saturday, we went for a nature walk through the woods. It was so much fun for all of us, except for the occasional rock that found its way into EA and MC’s shoes. Will almost didn’t know what to do with himself and the semi-freedom that the walk in the woods gave him. He wanted to run around and explore. He ran, he walked, and he rolled in the fall leaves.
We were able to capture some wonderful “Father Son” and “Sister” pictures.
As we were walking I played with some manual settings on our camera. Most of them didn’t turn out, but I had fun walking behind Keith and the children trying to caprure the perfect picture of my family in this beautiful surrouning. And with just a tiny bit of editing, this is it.
Keith took a picture of me in the woods. I’m terrible at having my picture taken…I have my own “four year old smile” thing going on.
And here’s one tip from our walk…Flip-flops should never be your first choice in shoes when walking through the woods. Luckily I survived without breaking my neck!
Playing outside and walking through the woods is a finer thing for us. Visit Finer Things Friday at Amy’s Finer Things to see more!
Ann Marie says
LOVE the watermark you created!!! 3 daisies for your 3 blessings!!
ps also love the flip flop photo – i wore flip flops to soccer practice the other day not thinking about chasing our Will on the field – live and learn!
.-= Ann Marie´s last blog ..mommy pickin matoes =-.
Amy Lynne says
What fun! Looks like the little ones really enjoyed themselves!
.-= Amy Lynne´s last blog ..Boys Having Fun =-.
homegrownstrawberries says
I totally understand what you mean. after years of apartment dwelling the Yard on our house is what sold me. I love just turning The Girl loose and letting her play. I suppose a bigger testimony is we have a pretty big yard, bigger than any I had growing up and I love mowing it.
.-= homegrownstrawberries´s last blog ..Great Grandma’s Coffee Cake =-.
chaplainandrews says
We did have a wonderful time with the kids. What a blessing to be able to walk in the woods. Thank you for posting these pictures!
.-= chaplainandrews´s last blog ..Star Trekkin’ across the universe =-.
Linda@cookingtipoftheday says
What a wonderful set of pictures! …. yours included.. I can’t believe how much older Will looks all of a sudden. The girls look so sweet holding hands.
I know exactly what you mean about a yard…. my son was eight when we finally could afford a house… and all he wanted was a club house on stilts (you know the wooded type that usually has a swing attached)… he was so funny sitting in it reading his books and playing with the visiting kids next door…. LOL … fond memories
I took him to the playground a lot and we had some parks near us… so that kind of made up for it until we had a house.
.-= Linda@cookingtipoftheday´s last blog ..Recipe: Buttermilk Pancakes =-.
Nancy M. says
Great pictures! I know they had fun running around and playing. I guess we do kind of take for granted having a yard to play in.
.-= Nancy M.´s last blog ..Um Four =-.
Amber @ Classic Housewife says
Oh how fun! I love having a yard. There are some days I miss apartment life (no home maintenance!) but then I think… I wouldn’t have a yard!!
Your kids are absolutely adorable, and the pictures turned out well. I can see that had a lot of fun! And what’s up with that smile? =P I’m not one to pick, I don’t like mine either. =)
Thanks for linking up to Shoot the Breeze! I enjoyed it!
.-= Amber @ Classic Housewife´s last blog ..Come, Shoot the Breeze With Me! =-.
Jessie says
Enjoyed these pictures looked like they had a fun day!!