Rock Study- Outdoor Hour Challenge

We have at least a foot of snow on the ground so we weren't able to go for a rock walk. But having four boys we have a substanial rock collection. So the boys loved hauling out treasure chests of rocks. We mainly sorted the rocks and enjoyed handling and admiring them. I have never been that interested in rocks, but after doing some reading and especially after looking through the January newsletter, I was inspired. I am really looking forward to taking a rock walk when the snow is gone. Also, I found a website that told where to look for rocks in our area. We also checked out Rocks, Rocks, Rocks. My youngest two really liked this book and were excited when we found that we had an igneous rock in our collection that looked just like the one in the book. So, even though we weren't able to get out to look for rocks this challenge has inspired us and we will certainly be coming back to this in the days ahead.

Seasonal Weather Walk- Outdoor Hour Challenge

We started off our winter weather walk with snowflake catching. Using a black piece of fleece (which we got in one of our winter Hearts and Trees Kits) we caught some snowflakes. We have done this before, but every time it is so amazing to see the beautifully shaped flakes.

Next, we used a ruler to measure the depth of the snow. Since we just moved here from Texas we were quite impressed with our almost 6 inches.

The boys decided, for our walk, it would be best to bring little brother on the sled. We spent about 30 minutes walking (and running) around. It was snowing the whole time.

 

We really liked the way the snow piled up on the tree branches and the sage brush.

The boys thought a winter weather walk was a great idea. And some of us even decided to taste our winter weather!

  

After our walk we all enjoyed some nice hot chocolate! What a lovely walk. The snow is truly beautiful.

Nature Hike With Friends!

Can you see the nest?

Camping

This was our first family camping trip. Mark has taken the older boys a number of times, but this was the two younger boys first time. We really had a good time.

I have never heard so many coyotes in my life. We started hearing them before the sun had set and in the middle of the night they were having quite a party. It was great!

The next day we explored the ruins of an old fort. The boys loved climbing all over the old buildings.

Nature Journaling

Red-Eared Turtle

A few weeks ago we were on our way home when we found this turtle in the middle of the road. I was going to just move him to the ditch, but a cry went up of bring him home with us. So, I decided we would at least let him visit for a little while. He was very shy. We kept him until Daddy was home from work so that he could see our little friend. Then we drove back to where we found him and let him go.

Nature Club

Our First Nature Club Meeting- more pictures!