Turkey Run State Park

Last weekend my sweet sweet Dennis, got me the GoPro Hero 5 for my birthday. We like to hike and explore and what better way than to start documenting our adventure with this camera! We had high hopes for this camera and were so excited to video and take picture this weekend on our hike. Although we weren't too thrilled about the outcome of the quality of the videos and photos, below are some of my favorite that turned out ok! 

Turkey Run State Park was by far one for the books this weekend. Neither of us had been here before and this might have become our favorite spot. And after our poor experience with the GoPro we will certainly have to go back to get getting quality photos! Turkey Run is about an hour and a half West, from Indianapolis. This is a typical driving distance from he city to really get in the heart of nature and explore its beauty. 

If you are bring a pet these trails are very doable, just make sure you look at the map first and avoid the trails with ladders. Our pup is large so carrying him up wooden ladders would not be enjoyable. For us or the dog. We did see one lady carrying her four legged friend in a chest baby carrier. Whatever gets you out of the house, right! Newman did really well and this was one of the easier hikes we have taken him on. He loves running through leaves so taking him here during the fall was thrilling for him. 

This trail was moderate with some tight areas along cliffs, but if you watch your step you'll be good to go. 

Depending on the weather I would dress appropriate, but there was no tall brush to walk through so long pants and tall socks weren't needed. The trails were fairly wide and even are shared in some areas with horses. Our hound dog, found plenty of scents along the way. You did have to walk through... or jump over a few streams down in the covers, so I would recommend closed toe shoes. 

Exploring My Life and Growing in the Process

Exploring nature is something that I was recently introduced to. Growing up I was not into sports...nothing's really changed there. Besides that I'm currently on a co-ed softball team, (my poor team) just to stand there and look pretty, right? .... no really. I can't hit, can't catch, most certainly can't throw,  but I can run those bases when needed. So I might be good for something there, I guess.

Back in the day I wasn't all enveloped in summer activities, unless it included laying out in the backyard getting a tan. (You're allowed to hate the old me, I won't judge you) I was your typical girly girl growing up. LAME! I was very much into staying indoor and "not sweating."

Something changed in my life and I so happy it did. Dennis. Dennis grew up with a small family that has a heart for traveling. Father from the Netherlands, born in California and now living in Indianapolis. I grew up with a large family that has never moved out of a small town called Newburgh, Indiana. The farthest my family has ever traveled was to Golf Shores Alabama. It just amazes me that even in our upbringing we are complete opposites. In every way.

Dennis is extremely outgoing and knows everyone. We don't live in a huge town now, but at the grocery, softball game, or even the occasional local bar, he's always saying hello to a childhood friend. Me on the other hand, I get sever social anxiety. I can't be in crowds, hate talking in front of people, and can am really awkward meeting new people.

Sometime I sit and think about how on earth we were ever put together to be in a relationship.

By no means am I complaining or unhappy. In fact I adore how opposite we are. It makes life interesting... very interesting. When we are faced with a new journey or obstacle you can guarantee there will be some sort of disagreement. It might be weird, but we grow best this way. We challenge each other everyday with our different view points and ideas. But it WORKS.

I can't imagine having a partner that is a mirror of myself. D might not "get" me all the time, but he sure does push me to get out of my comfy zone and do something new.

These past 3 years have been wonderful.  Hiking and being in the woods was something I never did before D. Now hiking is something we are constantly doing and thriving to do. We have both discovered a place and a passion where we can grow together without having to communicate. Being in nature allows us to go new places and explore new things.

Heeey Batter Batter, Swing

Nothing like a little family time to kill the  rainy day blues. My family and I live 3 hours apart, and growing up in a very large "involved" family I tend to get a little home sick. When they come to visit we like to plan new things and show them what Indianapolis really has to offer. 

We took the fam-bam to an Indianapolis Indians game and Eli especially loved it. Im not sure if it was the baseball game or all the cotton candy, dipping' dots, or the new baseball hat and wooden bat. He's one spoiled kid..... but hey have you seen him? Melts, my heart. 

When Eli comes in town he is OBSESSED with Uncle D! Seeing their relationship bloom into something special is very rewarding. Dennis is so great with kids, but when Eli is around they both light up with so much love.

Ever since I moved here to Indianapolis I have NOT found a local beer that tops this one! Sun King is a local brewery that makes Scottish-style Ale it is a enticing and malty brown ale with caramel, cocoa, and hazelnut character balanced with toffee undertones. YUMMY! If you are ever in town, run over and pick up a growler.... or three. yes three. 

P.S Don't order ice cream around this guy, he will wait until he is half way through his and look at yours and ask to trade, because he knows you have more.... and it works every time for this auntie.

^ you can't go to a ballgame with out ordering some peanuts. 

Family means everything to me and although we don't see each other often I can't wait until the moment I get to see them again. 

Hiking: Indianapolis Eagle Creek Park

Newman just keeps growing and growing. I know this is something all "dog moms" and most certainly human moms say all the time . . . But now I can relate. He has literally double in size since we got him and it's unbelievable. We are starting him young and getting him used to car ride and hiking. So far he's not too sure about sticking his head out the window (perfectly ok with this crazy obsessive momma) but is loving hiking. We have finally found something to wear him out! 

This hound dog knows how to find a good trail.

^ so far loves the water.  

^"mom please stop, you're embarrassing me in front of the other dogs"

^ok, we're done here

^i'm pretty lucky,  right?

When Dennis and I first started dating we took a picture at this exact same spot, so it was fitting to recreate it, but now with out "plus one". 

It's Finally Summer

I'm excited it's finally Summer because . . . 

I want to wake up in the morning knowing when I go outside the air will be warm and not frigid.

Sunshine!!! I need the warm sun on my skin... all day, every day. Bring on that Vitamin D!

Because I wan't to see how full and green my garden will get and praying nothing dies.

I want to take Newman on long walks without having to worry with about the sun going down before I get home.

I want to spend all day outside rolling around in the grass and drinking wine all night. . . don't judge

Snow Cones and watermelon. Even better watermelon snow cones.

I want to live in sundresses and sandals.
just kidding, no sandals and barefoot weekends.

I need a day at the pool.

Workin' on my fitness. Let's be honest when it's warm outside I feel more motivated to do more and work harder on myself and my appearance.

Margaritas. Lots of margaritas

Summer makes me question why I am living in Indiana and have to deal with the W word...winter. blah

Because I want outdoor concerts.

Fresh markets.

I'm ready for freckled skin, no make up days, and moonlight walk around the neighborhood.

Summer, I love you

Nanny Life: Nature Center

this week the kiddos are on christmas break, so i had the privilege to take them out on a adventure! these two balls of joy love love LOVE the outdoors and every second they get they are sneaking outside to climb trees and ride their bikes. they can never keep their socks and shoes on while running in the dirt and some how always manage to fill their pockets with mud and sand that fall out all over the house. 

so today we went to Holiday Park Nature Center here in Indianapolis. they have been here several times before, but today was my first visit. it was a blast and so educational for the kids! 

oh and it was all FREE! 

here was a station with five different fur texture for you to feel the different softnesses between the animals, you could find here in the park. Rabbit, squirrel, fox, deer, and beaver. i had never felt a beavers fur before so i thought this table was super exciting! much softer than i imaged, i thought it would be more wiry since they are in the water a lot... but i know nothing about beavers. 

and of course there was coloring!!! we are obsessed with coloring (we color everyday) and of course a place for kids has to have some type of color station! we also made snowflakes out of coffee filters, but that was a little messy and dangerous with scissors so i was not able to get a picture.... but they loved to snowflakes so much that we had to make more when we got back home.  

here are these cute log cushion seats that were meant for sitting and reading books on, but instead we made an obstacle course and had a race on who could run through it the fastest..... and duhhhh, i lost.

this part was their absolute favorite part of the entire trip! they would not leave it alone! here you had to help the fox find his home through the woods, by using his sense of smell to find his way. there were about 5 different scent, good scents and one bad one... the yummy ones were mint, spiced bush, milkweed, wild ginger and the last one was to smell the fox den.... this one was extremely stinky and the kids thought that was hilarious and kept daring each other to smell it.

this little man ran around the entire room (while the place was filled with moms looking at me like i didn't belong... thanks bud). he was running around on all fours acting like a fox. after stopping a few time to rest and scratch his head with his back foot. he thought it was the coolest thing and didn't want to take it off. after several kids seeing him have so much fun with the dress up clothes they were eager to give it a try. 

puzzles, puzzles, puzzles! we had to do them all! these were especially cool because they were soft puzzles so they were easier to combine together. plus much more durable than normal puzzles because they are so hard to break and tare apart. maybe i'm "new" to watching and ben with kids, but i think this is genius!! 

this part was again very fun for them, but for the high anxiety person that i am..... it was a mess! water EVERYWHERE! the wore these water smocks, but in two seconds they were up the their elbows in the water making it pointless for the smocks. but of well, they had a blast! 

this winter has been abnormally warm and today we had our first snow! 

like i said they love the outdoors, so as soon as they saw snow they were ready to leave and catch as much as they can! today was a blast with these guys full of laugher and learning and i can't wait to make more memories with these two in a few days on our next adventure. 

thanks so stopping by!

if you are from Indianapolis or have ever been, what kid friendly things do you like to do? For free if any? i would love to hear your ideas in the comments! 

stick around to see more!