happy birthday and a hike.

we drove up to Lockett Meadow last Sunday to have a picnic and celebrate Finley's first birthday.  afterwards we went on four mile romp through the woods to scope out the smattering of fall colors, which aren't at their peak yet, but nonetheless, still pretty.  the four oldest opted to stay home, claiming that hiking is just waaay too boooring.  party poopers.  part of me wants to shake them and yell, "wake up!  don't you realize what you're missing out on?"  but alas, kids are kids, and they probably won't fully appreciate how fortunate they were to be surrounded by so much breathtakingly beautiful scenery until they're adults, madly trying to convince their own kids to go hiking.  I, on the other hand, have to slap myself on the face every now and then to make sure I'm not dreaming.  I mean, to have all this beauty *basically* right in my very own backyard?  yeah, it's pretty much mind blowing at times.

have a great day!

-jessica