enjoying summer

We finally got a chance to see the beautiful peonies and even though we missed the peak time (early to mid June) to see it, we still got to see some. I especially want the children to see as many traditional Chinese dresses like the "qipao" have peonies.

J didn't think this particular kind smelled nice. She like the smell of the white peony variety (picture below).

We also saw Echinacea or coneflower today. I remember it seeing it just yesterday from Lisa @ 5orangepotatoes. Lisa, now I finally know what you are talking about when you did the cone flower give-a-way. I actually thought it was Cornflower. LOL! Thanks!


My brave little climber. There was an earlier discussion about our tonsils so Prime wants to check out daddy's tonsils.

Going through the trails; stopping at the "Fairy Woods &/Troll Hollow"

Trying something new: swimming in the river. Believe it or not, the kids were scared at the beginning and J asked a whole bunch of questions like is there crab in there? How about lobster? Daddy said, no, those are in salt water like ocean but you might find some fish in there (as we see someone fishing) but they won't bite or bother you to which J says, well shark is a fish and they bite! Just go ahead, we tell them. Few minutes later, they were having a ball! We had to tell them not to go too far as the drift gets very fast just past this island.

Playing with a captive painted turtle. It belongs to S.