Night Hike

Mason and his number one man!

One of the first things that we Siegs were excited about when we found out that we were going to be moving to Kansas was that this state has lightning bugs! I personally think that fireflies are proof that our Heavenly Father loves us because they are just so enchanting and don't seem to serve much purpose besides making life so much better! Some of my favorite memories of being a missionary in West Virginia were the nights when we would be out knocking on doors while the lightning bugs lazily danced around us. I could not wait for James and the boys to get to experience them as well! On our first night in Manhattan, I was expected to have our whole backyard dancing with them but they never came! Apparently we missed them by a month or two. So sad! 

Earlier this Summer (in May or June), James was out on an evening bike ride and spotted a few fireflies dancing up in the hills nearby. We were so excited to show our boys that we let them stay up late so that they could witness the wonder of lightning bugs for the first time! We eventually got them in our own backyard but this night held us over until that happened. Who needs bedtime when there are bugs to find!

I don't know what Char was feeling better about, the fact that he was wearing a headlamp or getting to wear his big brother's soccer shirt.

Coobie, looking fancy in a headlamp

Mason, checking if he caught a firefly

Charpee

After we attempted to catch the fireflies at the Top of the World (a local hiking spot) for long enough, we decided to extend the night's adventures to a night hike in the woods at Tuttle Creek! We stayed out till 11pm but we sure had a ball! Sometimes bedtime is overrated.

We spotted this momma spider on the road as we drove to our next destination. It was so huge that James couldn't resist the temptation to stop and take a picture. All those bumps on it's back are babies. Gross.

Heading out into the spooky woods!

The headlamps made all the little creatures in the woods eyes glow so they were really easy to spot. Because of the time of the year, there were a bunch of little possum babies creeping  along the trees. I have always been terrified of opposums (since they are basically big rats) but since I had our trusty field guide at our side, I was able to relax a bit and enjoy myself.

One of our new possum friends. He was pretty cute, but despite the boys wishes, we let him go.