Daddy's Day Out with the Kiddos!

The kids got to go recently to the zoo with Jennifer and her family one weekend while I was working day shift, but it had been a while since I had been to the zoo so I got the great idea to take the kids up to Cincinnati. The only problem was that Jennifer had to work, so it meant that I would be taking them all by myself. I decided that it was possible to be done so I went ahead and made the little over an hour drive up to Cincinnati. We packed up the stroller with everything that I could imagine we might need and headed out on our adventure.

Our first stop was the elephants. They are one of our favorite animals and they were all pretty active because they had just put out some food for them.

Giraffes are the favorite animal of both Brinley and Landon. It just so happened that we were there during feeding time. Brinley asked if she could feed them and I just couldn't tell her no. It turned out to be great because instead of 2 pieces of lettuce they gave both kids a handful. We definitely got our money's worth that day.

The kids absolutely love riding the train. Since it was Halloween time the train had been converted into the Hogwarts Express. The ride had all kinds of Harry Potter themed decorations including this large snake head to represent the basilisk.

The last time they went to the zoo their Aunt Sarah got them some icee in souvenir cups. We took the cups back and got them an icee refill. They couldn't have been happier after getting these cups back all filled up.

The kids found this tree in the monkey area. They just had to get their picture made with it. I thought it was pretty cute.

We have only been in manatee springs once, but I decided that I wanted to check it out again today. The kids weren't amazed about the manatee, but I thought it was pretty cool.

Along with the train, it is not a trip to the zoo unless we take a couple rides on the carousel. Thankfully they are both covered in our membership package. We got a couple rides in before we called it quits.

The gorillas were all pretty active today too. This silver back posted up shop in the front and seemed to be showing off his dominance. There were a couple of mothers walking around with their young. The little one in the top picture wouldn't even let go of it's mother.

A few more of the exhibits that we made it to during our visit. Lions, bears, snakes and more monkeys.

The last stop of the day was the reptile building. They had a couple people outside with some animals that you could touch or hold. I decided to hold this rat snake. The worker said that "I should have nothing to fear. The snake was less harmful than my wife, that is unless my wife bites!" I braved my fears and held the snake. Brinley wanted to hold it but I wouldn't let her. She enjoyed touching it though. 

 While we were still in the area I decided to make a quick visit to the Newport Aquarium. We had just gone last week, but there were only a few more days left before the Weeki Wachee Mermaids left the aquarium. Brinley and Landon both really enjoyed seeing them swim around in the water so I wanted them to be able to see them again. We grabbed a quick lunch before heading in.

The mermaids were by far the biggest hit of the aquarium again. It is such a unique and fun experience. The kids both enjoyed giving high fives to the mermaids and they even flirted with Landon by trying to give him kisses through the glass.

One of my favorite exhibits at the aquarium is of Mighty Mike. He is a 14 foot 800 pound alligator and he is huge! We have visited the aquarium many times and I am not sure that I have ever seen him move. The only way I know he isn't just a fake is that his eyes blink on occasion.

The shark bridge is one of the newest attractions at the aquarium and the kids love it. I am not sure that they actually look at any of the sharks swimming below them while they are walking across. I think that they just enjoy the challenge.

After about 4 hours at the zoo and another hour at the aquarium I had a couple of worn out kids on my hands. 

My trip with the kiddos turned out to be very successful. I am not sure that I will take these adventures every week or anything, but I do know that I can do it. I am so lucky to be their dad and I enjoy every moment that I get to be with them. I can't wait to see what adventures we get into as they grow up! Thanks for reading and God bless!

Evans Orchard

Ever since we have had kids we have made an annual trip to an orchard or two. This year the first one that we made it to was Evan's Orchard in Georgetown. This is one of our favorites because it is really little kid friendly. The kids are now able to play on everything that they have in the play area.

The kids loved getting in the school bus picture. Brinley keeps asking me if she is big enough to go to school. The bottom left picture didn't turn out well because the kids were telling us that it was too sunny. That is why they have their hands up over their faces.

The kids with a nice fall decorated wagon. The kids were a little bit happier that the sun wasn't in their eyes. 

We decided to take a wheelbarrow out to the pumpkin patch. I pulled my two little pumpkins out to the patch so that they could find their's.

Brinley and Landon both loved walking around in the pumpkin patch looking for their favorite one. They found a couple that they liked and even tried to pick up a few too big for them.

One of the kids favorite playground equipment was the bounce pads. They were both happy as could be jumping all over the place.

We tried to take Landon's picture with the apple ruler and it was harder than pulling teeth. After looking through all the pictures it almost looked like he was taking mug shots. Lets hope he never takes any real ones! 

The big hay castle is one of my favorite parts of the play area. It will be so much more fun when the kids are a little bigger. I had to help them get around and on top of all the hay bales. 

Family picture and some more pictures on the hay bales. Brinley took her apple ruler picture in one take.

We also took a little walk down to the corn maze. We all did it last year and the kids had a lot of fun. However, this year the path was overgrown with weeds and it was still pretty muddy from all the rain we have had recently. The kids did not really enjoy this little adventure very much so we quickly made our way though it and headed back up to the playground.

We didn't get a chance to pick any apples this visit, so we will have to at least take one more trip to the orchard this year. We had a great day and I just love seeing how much they have grown from year to year. I try to enjoy these moments because they are only young once and I don't want to miss a second of it. They are truly two of the greatest blessings that I have ever been given and I thank God every day. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Natural Bridge

One morning I just woke up with the crazy idea to take the kids to Natural Bridge. Jennifer was hesitant about it because she was terrified about one of the kids falling off the bridge. I talked her into it, so we packed up and headed out for an adventure.

Heading up the sky lift with my little buddy. I was terrified the entire time that Landon was going to fall off the bench. 

It was such a beautiful trip up the mountain and scary all at the same time. Jennifer and Brinley were riding on the car in front of us.

The kids at the top of Natural Bridge.

Just sitting on the little rock wall like a couple of big kids.

We packed a lunch and had a nice little picnic on the top of Natural Bridge.

Landon chowing down on his gold fish.

The kids underneath Natural Bridge.

Family photo under Natural Bridge.

Walking through the skinny man pass to get back up to the top of Natural Bridge.

Jennifer and the kids in skinny man's pass.

The Heflin's on top of Natural Bridge.

Our view! It was a perfect day for sightseeing and it wasn't hot at all.

It is hard to get a good picture of everybody and this was the best that we could get from a fellow tourist.

My beautiful wife and I on the top of the mountain before starting our descent down.

The hike down proved to be quite the adventure. I started out at the top of the mountain with Landon on my back in the carrier and holding the backpack in the front. However, I quickly discovered that it was dangerous because the backpack was obstructing my view. Although Brinley had said at the top of the mountain that her legs were tired and we really hadn't even began walking. Brinley did really good walking down the mountain, but she also spent her fair share of time being carried too. We let Landon down to walk for a little while and just a few minutes later Jennifer spotted this snake. I quickly picked the little guy up and carried him the rest of the way down the mountain. After we got home some friends informed us that it was a copperhead snake. Overall the approximate 2 mile hike down the mountain wasn't that bad at all. I am so thankful that we had a successful trip with the kids and got to get them out and enjoy some nature. It might be a few years before we do this hike again, maybe when everyone can hike for themselves. Thanks for reading and God bless.

Exploring Lexington Parks

We have tried to explore some different parks around Lexington lately. A few of our friends have even joined us at these new parks.

A four man see-saw with our buddy Colton.

Climbing up the ladder wall with our buddy Gabe.

Me being a big kid myself I enjoy playing on all the playground equipment too.

Landon swinging with his buddy Maggie.

Our crew that came to explore and play at Masterson Station Park.

 Another day the kids and I loaded up the bike and carrier and decided to go for a little bike ride. We stumbled upon Mapleleaf Park and ended up having the whole place to ourselves. The kids enjoyed all the new playground equipment, especially the bridge.

These guys are best buddies. I just hope they always stay like this.

Landon is such a happy little guy. Here he is going down the spiral slide.

Landon climbing up the petals.

 The last park that we went and discovered was Woodland Park. Our friend Sydney was there to play with us while her daddy played in a softball game.

All the kids swinging on the big kid swings.

Brinley climbed up this big ladder multiple times. The little lady has no fear at all.

Sydney and Landon just relaxing on some playground equipment.

Landon climbing up a little rope bridge. People are amazed all the time at how good of a climber he is when I tell them that he is only 2 years old.

There are so many parks in Lexington that have yet to be discovered and maybe in the next few years we can make it to all of them. I enjoy seeing the kids find a new piece of playground equipment and then seeing them figure out how it works. They are constantly learning new things and it amazes me how quickly they pick up on things. Thanks for reading and God bless!