Field Trip to Magnolia Springs State Park!

Today was our coop field trip to Magnolia Springs State Park. It is just over an hour from here. Those who read our blog will remember our family visited there back in the summer. We had a great time today. There were about 50 of us all together and the weather couldn't have been better. It was so nice out there. The park rangers had lots planned for us. We wish Papa(Randy) could have been with us. He had planned to come but had a business trip come up so we had to go without him. He is having a good time in Nashville though! We all miss him and can't wait for him to come home Wednesday.
Okay...on to the pictures! Some of them look weird colors, my camera is acting up again. I can't wait to get a new one!!

Here are Morgan and Ian with Alex, Tyler and Sara ( some of our homeschooling neighbors) waiting to get started outside the aquarium.



Now, our first stop, the aquarium. It is just a small aquarium but has lots of neat local fish to see.

Ian and his buddy Cade, I think I surprised them with the flash because it is dark in there! They both sort of have the deer in the headlights look here!


Now, here we are outside, petting an ALLIGATOR!!!



Getting ready to head over to the ponds for fishing!! The park provided all the fishing poles and bait for us!!
Ian with Alex, Tyler and Dillon(neighbors)

Part of the group, getting fishing instructions.




My little fisherman!!



My big fisherman!


My boys!

my...ummmmm...fishergirl?

Casting her line!


All four fisherkids! I am not quite sure what Ian was doing at this point.



Now, over to one of the pavilions for a talk with the men from forestry.




PLAYTIME!! After the Forestry presentation, we all ate our picnic lunches and the kids had some time to run off some energy and just be kids!

This is a fun toy!! It is a linked beam of sorts that moves up and down. The boys on the ends were making it go up and down sort like a zigzag motion while the others tried to keep their balance on it! Notice the boy on the ground behind....I think he lost his balance just as I snapped the picture!









HELLOOOOO???? Anybody in there???

My sweet Momo Monkey!


Down side UP?? or.........................


Right side DOWN??



After lunch and playing, we headed over to the museum to hear about the history of the site. This park is the old Lawson prison camp from the civil war. At one time, it was actually the largest prison camp in the world!!

Aaron holding the map up for us.

This is the table they were all gathered around. It is a small model of the site as a prison camp.


Getting ready to watch a short movie about the history.


After the museum, we were free to enjoy the park. Some of the group left but a few of us went out to explore the nature trails for a bit. First stop was to see the turtles!


Then off to walk the nature trails....


Stopping for a picture while we decided which path to take....


My tired little man, posing by a tree.....he was so tired by then...



My girlie girl cheesin'!


Kristen and Mama! Do ya think she sort of looks like me a little bit?

Brothers taking a break....


CHOO CHOO!!! All the world's a choo choo to a two year old train lovin' boy!!


Of course, Mama has to make them pose for a picture all together, by this time, Ian was done!! He was soooooo ready for a nap!


Checking out the lake...but wait!! What's that coming this way??


A log floating in the water?????



OH LOOK!! It's an ALLIGATOR!!!! And he is getting ........



CLOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Don't worry, we moved from the edge of the lake and got up on the deck. When Mr. Alligator realized we weren't going to feed him, he turned around and went on his merry way!

Okay....one more try for the group pic......







Another great day!!