One last summer trip

Well we were able to get the kids to the dunes one last time to enjoy the beach. I'm planning on going again this fall when the leaves are changing and we'll just hike and explore. Lauren brings all he bug collecting gizmos and has fun collecting the little critters she finds. Gavin of course loves to pal around with Lauren and her collections and Hunter and Todd will probably take a more challenging trail so I know we'll all still have fun without the beach. Here's a memoir of our trip this time. . .

Gav had fun hiding his feet and then I had to find them

Our goal was to get to the beach by sunset- we made it but hiked back in the pitch black- not fun!
Lauren and Alex had a ball with this log- kept them busy for hours!
Gav was sure I wouldn't find his feet this time!

Gavin's mustering up his last bit of balance and energy to get to the top!

The beach is just beyond that dune- the rest of the hike is behind us. Todd and Gav ran ahead. Hunter and Lauren ran really ahead. And I poked along to take pictures. (yeah right! I poked along at turtle speed because I just couldn't flippin' keep up- not even with the 2 year old!)
Here are the little foot prints of the wild turkeys that live there
check out how steep that climb is!
Hunter had fun playing with Gavin at the beach on Sunday

The kids sat patiently while Todd and I unloaded the truck

my buddy Hunter
Gavin was watching some little minnows down in the creek below
We got up and over 2 sand dunes to get to the beach in time for sunset
Gavin and Todd coming to get me- (I had to take several breaks on the way up :0) The beach is up over that hill
Lauren and Gavin went froggin'
Another picture of Hunter- we had a photo shoot while waiting for the others to catch up :0) He didn't care for it but I got some good pics!
Gav caught a froggy with big sister Lauren's help!
Lauren befriended this boy Alex and his log. Turns out our families bonded over some glasses and plan to keep in touch!
Hunter grabbed this shot Sunday morning on our short hike

Almost to the top!

Todd and Gavin walking off into the sunset. Actually Todd's walking- Gavin did a lot of riding along!
My beautiful girl taking a break after making it up that first dune. We then ran down this one and up over that next one to get to the beach. You can see the trail we followed.
The view from the first sand dune we climbed. Our feet sank about a foot into the sand with each step- I was exhausted! Our campsite's out there in the woods somewhere.
Lauren balancing on an old tree branch just as the sun set