And then McKenna tried to hug a goose

We enjoyed some beautiful weather while we were in Alabama. The trees were just beginning to change color and the temps were in the 70s.

While exploring we found lots of snapping turtles.

And after we saw one, Christian was constantly on the lookout for them. My word he was making me nervous as he teetered on the edge of the lake looking for turtles.

We were hiking around a series of small lakes and there were lots of geese, which of course you would think would be afraid of people.

But Christian got pretty close and that goose kept walking towards him.

McKenna approached cautiously at first and then decided to go for it and hug/pet that goose.
There are not pictures of her actual almost goose encounter (seriously she was only inches away from the thing...it totally could have pecked her), because her mommy had to run after that goose (while yelling...can you picture it?) to scare it away. Apparently these geese are not afraid in the least bit of people. I think they've probably been fed a few too many times. But I was not about to let my daughter touch that goose, who knows how it would have reacted to that.

Once the geese were safely in the water, I resumed my picture taking and we spent a beautiful morning together. I think the best part of our trip was the time I spent with these two. It was so nice to be able to focus on them completely and not be worrying about the need to do laundry or empty the dishwasher or check the mail...etc. Everyday I just got to play with them :)