For Father's Day, the boys gave the Grandpas a certificate to go on a nature hike.  We took Grandpa Sally to the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge for his special day. 

You're probably wondering why we call him Grandpa "Sally."  Well, both Harper and Hawken's Grandfathers are named Mike, so when Harper was little he started calling them Grandpa Sally and Grandpa Karen - using the Grandmother's names instead.  I'm not sure when, or if, the boys will ever switch to something else, but it works for now...and it's kind of cute!

We had a great day for a hike!  It was fairly cool, with a mix of sun and clouds.  We even got caught in a small sun-shower, which felt good.  We were out for three hours!  I think the boys were troopers to stay out on the trail that long! 

Oh, and Hawken is dressing himself now.  Check out his red socks! 

There is a nice visitor center, with lots to investigate.  Here, the boys are looking at a muskrat home with Grandma Sally.

The trails took us through prairie, hillside forest, and wetlands.  We also got a peek at the Minnesota River and Long Meadow Lake.

There were many beautiful wildflowers along the trails.  Hawken enjoyed pointing out the many flowers, including this wild rose.  Grandma Sally pointed out, and named, many flowers and plants for us.

We saw some wildlife at the park, including wild turkeys up at the visitor center.  We also saw snakes, fish, a crane, red-winged blackbirds, a goldfinch, and numerous bugs. 

Harper found a snail, and Hawken spied a black caterpillar on the hike back.  They both carried these critters for a while, and didn't want to let them go.  It was a hard, but good, lesson to learn when we had to leave them at the park.  They both chose nice spots to let them go again. 

After the hike, we spent a little time in the gift shop, where they had lots of great books!  Grandpa bought the boys each a little stuffed animal keychain.  Harper got a mallard, and Hawken chose a loon.  Hawken has been wearing the loon on his beltloop since the hike.  He even wore it to t-ball last night!

We all enjoyed a nice dinner together at Chevy's before we headed home.  We had a memorable time with Grandma and Grandpa Sally, and look forward to doing it again!

For Father's Day, the boys gave the Grandpas a certificate to go on a nature hike.  We took Grandpa Sally to the MN Valley National Wildlife Refuge for his special day. 

You're probably wondering why we call him Grandpa "Sally."  Well, both Harper and Hawken's Grandfathers are named Mike, so when Harper was little he started calling them Grandpa Sally and Grandpa Karen - using the Grandmother's names instead.  I'm not sure when, or if, the boys will ever switch to something else, but it works for now...and it's kind of cute!

We had a great day for a hike!  It was fairly cool, with a mix of sun and clouds.  We even got caught in a small sun-shower, which felt good.  We were out for three hours!  I think the boys were troopers to stay out on the trail that long! 

Oh, and Hawken is dressing himself now.  Check out his red socks! 

There is a nice visitor center, with lots to investigate.  Here, the boys are looking at a muskrat home with Grandma Sally.

The trails took us through prairie, hillside forest, and wetlands.  We also got a peek at the Minnesota River and Long Meadow Lake.

There were many beautiful wildflowers along the trails.  Hawken enjoyed pointing out the many flowers, including this wild rose.  Grandma Sally pointed out, and named, many flowers and plants for us.

We saw some wildlife at the park, including wild turkeys up at the visitor center.  We also saw snakes, fish, a crane, red-winged blackbirds, a goldfinch, and numerous bugs. 

Harper found a snail, and Hawken spied a black caterpillar on the hike back.  They both carried these critters for a while, and didn't want to let them go.  It was a hard, but good, lesson to learn when we had to leave them at the park.  They both chose nice spots to let them go again. 

After the hike, we spent a little time in the gift shop, where they had lots of great books!  Grandpa bought the boys each a little stuffed animal keychain.  Harper got a mallard, and Hawken chose a loon.  Hawken has been wearing the loon on his beltloop since the hike.  He even wore it to t-ball last night!

We all enjoyed a nice dinner together at Chevy's before we headed home.  We had a memorable time with Grandma and Grandpa Sally, and look forward to doing it again!