The thinking tree

My favorite thing about our rental house is our backyard.  The kids love it too.  At the back of the yard is a line of trees that makes you feel as though you are sneaking through Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood....or else following the Fellowship to Mordor.  I always watch the boys, especially Peter, go back there.  One day I followed him and found him sitting in this certain tree. He said it was his "thinking tree".  I admit, I was a bit jealous.  :)

Justin likes to climb in the trees too.  I am so thankful they are allowed this boyhood experience.  

I just thought this photo was funny.  Peter is currently out of arrows so he decided to improvise and use a sword in his bow instead.  Haha!  It actually worked!

 So...what do sweet little girls do while the boys climb trees and scrape their knees?  Why, play Care Bears, of course!  Jane brought out her little dollhouse that we got from the Cupps and she set up her little Care Bear collection.  I had fun joining in....that is the great thing about having kids...you get the wonderful excuse to run with lightsabers and lay on your belly in front of a dollhouse. :D

I've been waiting three years for this...

Back when I only had two babies, I used to bike ride all the time.  Both boys would fit in the bike trailer then off we would go!  We rode with friends, rode on the trails, and rode around the neighborhood.  Then I was expecting Lady Jane and bike riding was put on hold.  So, just now are all the kids old enough and we finally have enough seats for them all.  :)  A few weeks ago we strapped everyone down and headed off!

 I took Lady with me...

 ...and Brent took the boyos.

 Behind our rental house is part of the bike/walking trail that follows the Trinity River.  If you look in the back ground of the above pic, you can see Downtown.
The trail is beautiful! There was a wonderful breeze coming off the river and the yellow butterflies were tracking with us as we rode. Such a perfect fall day.  :)

 Jane loved riding in her special seat with her new hat.  She was allowed to bring her paci for the special occasion.  (We are working to help her give it up.)

 If you follow the trail to the right for three miles, you find yourself at a park.  We stopped to let the kids play before we biked back.  6 miles isn't too bad for our first full-family bike ride.  :)