To Aldridge Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, April 24

On Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. we drove a few miles to the botanical gardens in Hoover, Alabama, not far from Staci and Eric's apartment to let the children have an outing.  The best part was free admission to a most beautiful and natural garden with lake, fish, turtles, ducks, geese, and lots of beautiful trees and flowers.

Mommy begins telling the story

Wesley is enchanted with the metal turtle

On the turtle, hearing the story as told by mommy

Reese checks out how tall she is to the rabbit

The ducks, turtles and fish are abundant in the lake

The metals ducks with a real momma and her little chick

Wesley loved being by the edge of the water.  He loved to find sticks or rocks to throw into the water.  Sorry for the bum shot, Staci. 

Near a bridge over a flowing waterfall, Staci tried to contain the children for a photo.  They had other ideas.

Reese wanted to touch the ducks.  The ducks had other ideas.

A metal butterfly bench with Grandlady.  There was the strangest bug on the bench behind my shoulder.  Shudder!

The cutest littlest granddaughter Reese Marie Avarell

The trees were so tall and swaying in the breeze.

The smiles are so adorable, saved in my heart for years

With mommy, but Reese wants to move again.

Cannas in a flowing stream, newly opened, but also those spent.

Hydrangea flower, newly opened, one of the first to flower.

Enjoying the beautiful perfectly warm weather and beautiful surroundings in the garden.

Reese loves rocks

Note the curly hair, inherited from her daddy and me!

I could not get her to give me a direct look, but you can see how darling she is.

Wesley is tracing the lettering on the sign, but notices the jogger running by.

While Wesley traces the letters engraven on the sign, Reese is intent of going somewhere else.

A discarded banana with ants all over it was a fascination to them.

Magnolia blossom bigger than my hand.

As we leave the park at 5 p.m., we were thanked.