And that’s exactly how we started our Sunday! 
We woke up a little before 8 a.m. and by 8:30 a.m., we were bundled up and hiking along the orange blaze trail at Weikwa Springs state park. 
When I say we were bundled up, I mean it. Ryan and I wore several layers to the trails today and Sadie debuted her bright pink bomber jacket that I bought for her.
Gotta take our typical hiking family photo!
- Last Hike of 2010
- Memorial Day Hike
- February Hike
- January Hike
- November (2009) Hike
Oh Daddy, I just love the hugs! 
Yeah, sure, I’ll take your hugs too, Mama.
Once we started hiking, the chill started to hit us. When Ryan turned around to look at me he started laughing at my cocoon-like appearance.
Fortunately the chill gradually dissipated as we continued walking and our hoods were not necessary about two miles into the hike.
Still, Sadie kept her pink jacket on because she’s skin ‘n’ bones and likes to look fashionable while she hunts squirrels. 
Our hike this morning was quite eventful! We saw a herd of about 15 white-tailed deer, which Sadie alerted us to when she took off running after them.
Can you spot one of the white tails fleeing? 
About 15 minutes after the deer excitement, Sadie stalked a wild turkey up into a tree! 
Who knew turkeys could seek shelter in trees?
Our hike continued until we completed just shy of six miles in slightly less than two hours.
On our way home, we kept with our hiking tradition and hit up Starbucks for his and hers Frappuccinos.
The cold coffee drinks were good, but a little too cold for such a chilly morning.
Breakfast
When we arrived back home, we wanted a hot breakfast! The breakfast tortilla I had before the hike didn’t keep me as full as I anticipated and I was ready for a more substantial meal.
When Ryan suggested pancakes, I was more than game! 
I made a batch of fluffy pancakes for us by following the instructions on the back of the Bisquick Heart Smart mix. 
Breakfast was scarfed down because we had to do a quick-change to make it to church on time.
Even though Sadie changed into her Sunday best, too, she had to stay home while we headed out.
Now we’re back at home and have lunch on the brain. After lunch, I will be experimenting in the kitchen while doing some laundry. Gotta check some things off the to-do list.
Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!
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Awww, Sadie! How does she have a better wardrobe than me? 😉
I wish I lived near the trails up here too! Fortunately I only work about 1 mile away from them, so I can run on them after work when the days are longer.
I am in love with your life.. that might sound weird, but i seriously want to be like you when I am older. You live such a healthy, fulfilling, positive life- i only wish to be like you someday!
YOUR life will be wonderful. 🙂
I agree with Carrie!
I love your retirement dream! That would be mine too I think! 🙂
Does Sadie’s bomber jacket come in human sizes too? Is it weird that I really want a dog’s jacket? Seriously, it is LOVELY! 😀
Omigosh! I think about just melted in my chair. What an absolutely wonderful Sunday morning 🙂
Sounds exactly like my retirement dream! I’ll be emailing you soon 🙂
What an awesome start to your day. Unfortunately Sunday mornings start at 8:30 am with church commitments for the hubby and me. ENJOY your day!
I love morning hikes. Looks like you 3 had a blast. 🙂
Awe, looks so fun out there!
Yall are too cute! I am in love with Sadie’s pink jacket!!
Your life is like SO PERFECT! I am so jealous! Sadie is so cute and I love those clothes you put her in!!
I love how you’re both holding Sadie like a little baby! I know that you said she is smaller than she looks…but I was still surprised that she is small enough to hold like that. She is adorable!
Dogs are always immortal…it’s one of their special powers 🙂 Instead of a traditional angel at the top of our Christmas tree, we have a black lab with gold wings. Not kidding.
What a great way to start Sunday! I love seeing you guys go to church! Your such a great example to readers Julie! Love the traditional hiking photo plus the one of you and Sadie! Once again your gorgeousss!
I love being in a cacoon on chilly walks!!
I think all animals are immortal too Julie… It cracks me up how Sadie lets you guys hold her in your arms like she is a little lap dog. That’s awesome
What a great tool for keeping track of how far you’ve been and how many calories you’ve burned on your hike! Tell me more!
i’m always amazed how much you are able to do in a day. i feel like i do 1/4 as much as you do in a day! hahaha
What a productive Sunday morning! It was a pancake breakfast sort of day for me, too =]
Aaww, it looks like you guys had a nice day together!
Ah so I am not the only one who believes that their dog is also immortal. My pug will never die:)
What an ambitious Sunday morning — I love the feeling of getting in a great workout (a 6-mile hike before church? you guys rock!) before most people are even up. I’m so unlike the typical college kid…I can’t sleep late at all, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Such a nice weekend! Your optimism shines!
Wow, a beautiful hike and perfect pancakes!! Definitely a great Sunday. 🙂
Fifteen deer!!! SO cool! and Sadie is so cute — as such a great hunter! 🙂
okay so i just wanted to tell you that you are so pretty. I think you’re the prettiest when you’re just in sweats or your work out clothes. Natural beauty!
Your retirement sounds like it should take place somewhere in the Carolinas!
I understand your wish for sadie to be immortal… just last week I cried (literally…but only for like 30 seconds) because I was so sad to realize that Happy was only going to be with us for 15 years or so. Ryan looked at me, laughed, and reminded me that she’s only 6 months. It just makes me sad to think about, though!
I love how your headband matched Sadies’s coat. I color coordinate with my dogs too and I think people think I’m crazy.
Thought you may want to try this out since you love peanut butter like me!
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/05/peanut-butter-jelly-sushi-fun-kids-sandwich-pinwheels-recipe.html
I looove hiking!
& Sadie is just too adorable~ 😀
CRACKING UP over sadie’s “outfits.” i cant wait til you and ryan have bebes to see the outfits you put your kids in. too cute.
i think ryan is scared that i will have an entire closet dedicated to sadie’s clothing before we even have a baby!
I love hiking! I can’t wait until spring to go again!
Sadie’s outfits are really cute 🙂 I can’t WAIT to get a dog!
aw. You guys are too cute. And the way you hold Sadie like a baby is just adorable. 😀 Cute little jacket she’s got on too!
Love the Sadie pics, she is quite the photogenic dog 🙂 Her new pink coat is great!
Sounds like you had a great weekend!