Secrest Arboretum

Last Sunday evening we drove to Wooster and picked up chicken and sides at KFC, Brian's choice!

 We then took our picnic to the OARDC Secrest Arboretum and ate at one of the nice tables in the garden area.  It was beautiful evening to be outside enjoying food and fun!

 Brian was so happy that we all enjoyed KFC, much to our dismay (and surprise!).

 We walked around the flower gardens and enjoyed the pathways and steps.  Mason thought this butterfly was pretty neat.

 I asked him for a kiss and it was even captured on film (that's an old saying, isn't it!).

 Can you see my expression through the blur?  I wasn't finished with our photo session but Mason was ready to run!

Look at that - the little boy sat still and even looked at the camera making for a nice picture!

 And he looked for our family picture too!

 After we'd looked at the flowers and the amphitheater, we ventured over to the newly constructed play area and slide.  After the tornado went through two years ago, the arboretum lost quite a few trees.  There are more open spaces and less trees.  But, they've planted trees, made a few changes and added some new things, like this great play area!

 Mason was a bit apprehensive about going down the slide, but enjoyed it while going with daddy.

 He loved climbing the big rocks/steps to get back up to the top of the slide.

 Mom and Dad thought it was fun too!

 That's Mason at the little bend in the slide.

 He was pretty slow to start and didn't know to keep his feet up in order to go fast.  He just took his time and enjoyed the sites along the way.  We had to encourage him to go faster as there were other children waiting to take a turn after him.

 Weee....so fun!

 We spent about 20 minutes going down the slide and climbing back up to the top - both things equally fun!

After the arboretum fun, we stopped at Guerne Heights for ice cream cones.  We got Mason a baby cone and he ate some of it.  Then he wanted someone to eat his cone while he ate one of the regular smalls!  I don't think he liked the small baby cone because it was a little hard for him to hold.