Natural Springs Preserve

Which way are we going boys? 

A little stream with rocks, the boys are already into all the nature.

Hummmm...

Stalactites or stalagmites? I forget! 

Hmm... not sure why he decided to do this but this is as close to having a baby in my belly as I'll ever be! I love that my boy is so snuggly, but I'm sure it doesn't look right. I did have another shirt under, he never puts his head in my shirt. Maybe he wanted to keep his head warm between my two long sleeve layers. 

NJ kept looking through baba's lens so he snapped a shot of his blurry eye.

So nice to see them together having fun.

Baba told them they could all hide behind a leaf (the sculptures were of long stems with leaves). None of us thought they'd all take it literally, but it cracked us up. Not only us, but another person that saw it all. Silly boys. 

Time for a train ride! The boys were extra excited. It was very educational, telling the history of the springs. 

We got to ride across from each other in the same car.

I was thinking that we've known each other twenty five years and I love that I can still call her my best friend. Building memories together and with our boys is priceless!

Each of them got a turn at the spinning turtle shell in the playground. Some got faster rides than others!

What are you doing NJ? That doesn't look comfortable.

That's better...

And now with the one that was missing, making his enthusiastic appearance with a wave. 

So many fun photo ops with the surroundings. 

What's Uncle, Ah-ee, and Guh-guh doing? 

And now Mama.

Yay, so glad he wanted to try too! Looks a little awkward, but he was able to hang on. 

On the trail...

Some running

some sign imitating (like the ones that you see when you drive south of san diego)

some climbing

some really tall plants

some bridges 

some plant picking

some drawing in the dirt

some rock picking

some odd posing

finding some direction

clinging to mommy

some informative reading

The historic well.

Some cool architecture and gardens to walk through.

At the trade center, so much cool stuff!

Each of them got to hit open their own geode with crystals inside! So cool. They had fun picking out their own rock, knocked it open with a hammer, and got to see the crystals hidden inside. Such a memorable souvenir.

NJ looking at his under his magnifying glass.

NJ really wanted a stamped penny. He loves these, but we don't always let him get it. God wanted him to have one today because there happen to be fifty one cents in my purse. We didn't know much about this natural spring preserve, but we were all so happy to have come! It was fun, relaxing, educational, and good exercise (light exercise of coarse since I wouldn't be able to do it otherwise)!