They are much to be pitied who have not been given a taste for nature early in life. – Jane Austen
There is a great trailhead on the west side of town heading up to small reservoir. The day we ventured up to it was pretty drizzly but that also kept things cool and comfortable. And, hey, when you are a kid a little mud just amps things up a bit.
Unless you are Tess, in which case mud might just wig you out enough to require frequent stops, vocal protests, and occasional piggy back rides to regain composure.
She was eventually convinced that the earth was not going to swallow her up and in fact there was no shortage of fascinating things happening all around here. Like looking down into a puddle and seeing the sky.
As evidenced by the little boys' backsides, they too found the puddles <g>
Abbie has been a trooper. She is an outdoorsy baby for sure. She loves the backpack, though the backpack does not love Allen. We are in the market for a better pack, should you have any suggestions.
Hummingbirds are more plentiful in the foothills. I am not terribly fond of hummingbirds to be honest but it was cool to catch a glimpse of one sitting still. It was actually easier to get a shot of the bird than a shot of the boys….
There's a boy!
I hope you all are so busy outside you have no time to read this! : )
Starry Sky Journal 
Abbie is such a beautiful baby! Looks like you all had a fun day in the outdoors. I would love to go outdoors too, but it’s way too hot here in Georgia this weekend! Monday it’ll be back in the 80’s again and maybe we’ll head out. Happy Summer!
I’m a fan of the Ergo Baby Carrier. It’s a soft pack – no frame.
We have a kelty frame pack that distributes the baby’s weight onto the hips. We love it for hiking.
Hiked with plenty of various babies on our backs through a lot of high country and parks. Too many years ago, so most likely the designs have changed. I did favor the Kelty brands, though. Beautiful pictures. Makes me miss those mountains all the more.
Another vote for a kelty pack: mine was so comfy I could carry the 2-3 year old with her baby brother in a front pack at the same time.
The first vote for the Sherpani Rumba. I still carry my 3 year old in it
I have a kelty backpack…I used to have one just like the one in your pictures! Then I found a kelty pack at a thrift store for $10. Yay! It’s very comfy. It’s bulky, but I carry it around in my van instead of a stroller,,and I also use it in the house when I need to. I have huge babies, and the sling only lasts me so long…
Looks like you had a wonderful day. I might have a good pack in the basement you can have…if I didn’t give it to my sister. I’ll look for it, it sure is apparent that we won’t be needing one ever again.
Gotta got with the Kelty carrier for the kid-on-the-back. It distributes the weight the absolute best. We hiked the Rockies and in Acadia with various kiddoes on various backs. My back is bad from being pregnant numerous times, and I can wear the baby in the Kelty without pain.
Oh, it looks like you all had a lovely time out enjoying nature and each other’s company! We happen to have that same pack! My mom had picked another one up at a garage sale that she thought would be a good replacement, but it unfortunately ended up simply adding more weight to my dad’s load (the pack was kind of heavy), so I’m taking note of the suggestions. 🙂
I also just wanted to let you know how much I’ve been enjoying reading about your life and seeing pictures! You and your family are so wonderful!
I definitely recommend the Ergo Baby Carrier too! I still use mine with my 3 year old when she is too tired to hike.
We have tried a number of baby and toddler carriers and the best two were:
– Macpac Possum (from New Zealand but I believe it is available in the U.S.) it is a hard framed backpack but with lots of padding (like a bushwalking backpack) and the weight is mainly on your hips
– Patapum toddler (from Italy) a soft carrier similar to the Ergo but with a crucial difference – an extra strap, which means that more of the weight is on your hips and it doesn’t drag your shoulders back like the Ergo