New Year's Day hike

It has become a tradition in our family to go for a hike on New Year's Day. Jeff and I first went when Jacob was a baby, and I think we've gone about every year since then. Somehow, even in January, the weather always cooperates. It may not be warm, but it's warm enough to go.

Well, we didn't move too quickly on Thursday morning, but eventually we got going. My sister-in-law Jan and some of her kids decided to go along with us, as did my mother-in-law, Carol, her boyfriend, and a family friend. We got to the park and started hiking around 2:30-ish.

This picture belies the fact that Jacob had a nap of about 22 minutes and was crabby as heck when we got out of the car. "Carry me!!!" is not what you want to hear at the beginning of a hike!

Of course, the kids' favorite part is climbing on the rocks. It slows things down, but it's a nice rest stop for those who need a break.

Carol hadn't intended to go hiking when she left the house, and her slip-on shoes made it even more of a challenge!

Daniel with Jan's son Alex.

Jeff and I. I'm not pregnant; I just look that way in my winter coat. :(

Daniel up the tree playing monkey while Nathan tries to shake him out of the tree. Isn't sibling love grand? Jacob and Alex watch and learn.

These cousins are buddies. I'm so thankful that Jacob and Alex are so close in age (3 months apart), especially since they're both the youngest in their families by quite a bit and highly unlikely to have any younger siblings.

Josh and Megan.

Of course the little boys had to go check out the frozen "waterfall". And so did some of the bigger folks.

He may be a "grown-up", but Mike's the biggest kid of all!

Jeff and Jacob

Alex and Mike. Alex has no fear.

Josh, Megan, and Alex. I think we have a picture of someone in this tree trunk from about every hike we've taken here.

Nathan, Megan, and Jan

Is there anything better than shuffling through leaves?

And now watch the sun set on our hike...

It didn't seem this dark at the time...

All done with the hike...and a beautiful sky...

Within about 10 minutes of hitting the parking lot, it was pitch black. Would have made that hike down the hill a little more interesting for sure!