Enjoying the Outdoors

One of the things that Michael was looking forward to was having a big back yard for Olivia to play in.  We are staying at the house that he grew up in, so he knew just what it was like to have so much land to run and play on.  We obviously didn't have any yard in Texas since we were in an apartment.  The yard here is the size of a football field!

Michael was itching to get out there with Olivia, so while we were on a prescription run to Kroger I picked up a kick ball for them to play with.  We went out after dinner the other night and spent a good hour and a half out there.

So far the weather has mostly been in the 80's.  However, on Tuesday the high was only 74.  It was a cool 68 as we ran around the backyard.  Perfect!

She was as happy as could be.

Her pigeon-toed-ness (yes, I made that word up) is much more prevalent when she runs.

Poor girl just loves to sit in her W.

After running, and running, and running some more, Olivia decided it was time to go exploring.

First up was the neighbor's cat.  You can be assured that I was not pleased with this exploration.  I kept a safe distance.  Olivia loved it though.  We all know she got her love of animals from her daddy.

The cat eventually ran off and Olivia ran straight to the flowers!  She loves flowers too.  They can be real or fake.  It doesn't matter.  She wants to hold them and touch them and smell them.  Michael picked two off for her and she was so proud.

Checking this crazy guy out!  Yes, she's wearing a sticker that says "Paid"  When we were at Kroger she asked the cashier for a sticker.  You know--the "I went Krogering" ones.  I thought they all handed them out, but this guy had no clue what she was talking about.  I tried to explain but he said all he had was the 'paid for' stickers.  She didn't care.  She wore that sticker proudly. :)

Ooohing and aaaahing over the treasure Boppa found her.

Then they headed over to the property line and found a pine cone.  Michael explained to her that it had fallen from the tree.  She kept trying to put it back up on the tree. :)

Then she ran over to me and said, "Look Mommy!  I got a 'kine-cone!"  They also found some walnut shells.

They tried looking under a few rocks for some bugs or worms but didn't find much.

We ended the adventure by standing on a an on old tree stump.  That's exciting stuff for a toddler, you know? :)  Then it was time to head in for a bath. 

I have a feeling this won't be our last exploration.