Monarch Migration

I don't know what these plants in the backyard are, but I need to find out.  They are vines that are growing on the tree trunks, and they always attract a ton of pollinators.  Lately, they have been covered with monarchs.

I don't know how long the butterflies will stay here, but I love seeing them all the time. 

Sandy Springs Lantern Parade

We had such an awesome time at the Sandy Springs Lantern Parade last year, so we were really looking forward to doing it again this year.

Lex designed his lantern to look like Boo from Super Mario Bros.

We had Chick-fil-A and ice cream before the parade started.

I spy with my little eye a little boy named Lex.

Lex and I love this cow.

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My lantern was blue and white and decorated with white butterflies.

After we paraded down to the river by the park, we stopped at the playground so that the kids could climb and swing and run amok.

We still have never made it down to the river for the boat launch and to see the lanterns as they cross the water.  Maybe next year?

As we were walking, we came up with all kinds of good ideas for lanterns for next year. 

No, I don't remember what any of them were.

Of course.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Yesterday we went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.  We bought a membership, and I would say that we only got a chance to explore about 1/3 of the Gardens.  So, we will be going back.

Prepare yourself for a garden of photos of the garden:

Stone Mountain

Today we all packed into a van and headed to Stone Mountain!

Lex and Logan are both in the very back seat.  Even though you can't really see them.

The first order of business when we got to the mountain was to hit the snack bar.

Then we rode the cable car lift up to the top of the mountain.

You can see the downtown Atlanta skyline behind Connor if you look closely.

No, I don't know why Lex is walking around with one shoe off.

I do know that Lex realized that his hair was the same color as the pine needles, and that his shirt and pants were the same color as the rocks.

It was the perfect camouflage.

I found a giant yellow butterfly.

Look!  It's a wild Kevin!

We spent about two hours on the top of the mountain.