A weekend outside...

On Friday, I met my dear friend Nicole at Chatfield Botanic Gardens, for a picnic and also to attempt to get some pictures of her little ones. 

Trying to take pictures with 4 kids between the two of us was certainly interesting... but we found a way to make it work. I have learned from taking pictures of my boys to keep the expectations low and just go with the flow. 

How cute is this hat? So dapper!

Sweet guy striking a pose. 

Max was not happy about being strapped in the stroller while we took pictures so we made frequent stops for playing. 

It was a good thing we did pictures first because the boys rolled all around in the dirt, grass, goose poop...you know, boy fun ;)

We had to get a little creative with posing baby girl outside on some wood stumps, but she was easy going and we got a few cute shots of her in this adorable dress and bow. 

We let the boys check out the chickens and ducks, Eli would laugh hysterically each time the rooster crowed. I can't think of a better way to start the weekend. 

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Gorgeous weather continued on Saturday, a day we ordained as a "family day", as those are hard to come by lately.  We took the boys for a walk on a trail that is about 5 minutes away from our house.  

Julian made Max a pair of "binoculars" out of a paper towel roll, which we brought along so he could better check out the scenery...

This is the same trail we walked up and down countless times in an effort to start labor when I was pregnant with Max, and we always recount those slow trips when we come here. It is literally a walk down memory lane...

Julian suggested we walk to the bridge, which he insisted wasn't very far.  I knew that by walking while pregnant/walking with young children standards it actually is pretty far, but we made that our goal nonetheless. 

Max insisted on walking by himself and was checking everything out through his "binoculars"...trees, grass, birds, the moon...adorable. 

He even spotted "a brother"...a rare find indeed. 

We took it slow letting the boys explore along the path, hopping over to one side to let bikers/runners pass (Max LOVES this). I have been itching to get outside and take some pictures after being cooped up inside the past couple of weeks...it was refreshing, and the lighting and scenery were gorgeous, we happened to be out during the much sought after "golden hour". 

Colorado boys! 

As we carried on, Julian said, "Huh, I guess that bridge is further than I thought." 

Yep. 

Shirt looks a little big?! We pulled out Max's 24-month clothing for  Eli this week...

Eli started to lose interest and Max's little legs were tiring...so we double timed it with them in the stroller towards the elusive bridge.

Hallelujah!!

Finally we made it to our destination. Both Julian and I had forgotten that this bridge has no guardrails, so that was a bit of a heart attack for me, keeping Max from diving into the river. 

Our efforts were worth it though. 

We had quite the little adventure, plus a bit of exercise and vitamin D. 

We came home with rosy cheeks, ate dinner, and went for a family drive fueled by Starbucks hot cocoa. We circled the neighborhood looking at interesting houses while both boys drifted off to sleep. 

It was a simple day, but a lovely one spent as a family.