give me the outdoors {waterton canyon}

"to me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious persian rug." {helen keller}

 

 

give me the outdoors.

 

throughout a year, it doesn't feel like we enjoy these beautiful mountains enough. can anyone!? so on mother's day, after the cold season if weather allows, i usually ask for a day of hiking. even extra slowly with these young ones, i love it.

 

this mother's day we headed to the foothills of littleton, co to take on an easy hike at waterton canyon.

 

this was our children's first time, but waterton brings back good memories. espi and my dating started here, i would say. by the end of that day filled with much hiking and talking, our friendship turned in a new direction. also, with in-laws and their children (before our children came into the picture), here we saw several big horned sheep right in the middle of our path. seeing them so closely was an awesome sight.

 

our hike last weekend only took us up the trail less than half way, maybe 2 miles in. it is hard to imagine we even did that well with the kids given our pace and multiple, multiple stops to enjoy the water and let the kids throw a-large-portion-of-the-gravel-path in for splash effect.

 

the weather was beautiful as we enjoyed an extra full trail--horseback riders, many bikers, a few fishmen, along with us hikers.

 

 

i was struck several times by the bright blue sky that day in contrast to the greening, colorado ground due to last week's spring rains. i love how spring is perking up life all around us.

to our second five-year-old

happy 5 years, AF,
your entrance into this world, into our arms was like fireworks--fast, loud, full of excitement and good cheer. the love and support surrounding your birth from friends, hospital staff, family, your daddy was wonderful. you, from the start, have been a mix of boisterous joy, gumption, and tenderness. you have a smile on your face more often than not. you laugh easily and like making others do the same. you play rowdy with your brother and princesses and dolls with your sister. you're a wonderful playmate. i love your beautiful, brown eyes, and you have one of my favorite smiles in the world. happy birthday, sweet girl!

your food requests for your day this year:
eggs and sausage links for breakfast, chick-fil-a for lunch, homemade pizza with pepperoni and sausage for dinner, and fudgy brownies with creamy coconut frosting with a side of ice cream for dessert.

your activity request:
"bouncing tents" with cousins.

{an hour and a half = nap time, anyone??} 

{the best of our tired smiles. they were sweaty and wiped. AD was napping in the car in no time.}

your sister and brother had some words about you, too.

"what's it like having AF as a sister?"
H: i'm glad she's my sister because i have another girl to play with.
AD: um, playing toys with her. yes! playing toys with her.

"why is she fun to play with?"
H: she's good at pretending.
AD: um, playing bikes. also, playing race [cars].

"what is something else she is good at?"
H: keeping secrets
AD: um, throwing balls. also, ice balls. snowballs, too.

"does she ever bother you? what does she do?
H: when i'm reading, she trys to talk with me, but i don't want to stop reading.
AD: yes, sad and mad. she does this. (he sticks out his tongue at me.)

{in that face is a mix of tired, too much sugar, and "do you really have to disturb this moment?"}

"why do you think God wanted you to have a sister like her?"
H: maybe because she'd be fun to play with, and she doesn't just play with me but AD, too.
AD: cause God likes us.

on my mind {with moments from texas}

i have a one track mind right now. school. we have just about 4 weeks until the end of may. this is the first year of homeschooling where i am looking at material i would like to finish for the year, looking at the weeks until memorial day weekend, and realizing it will be a tight squeeze if we finish by that date. but that's the aim.

during the last several weeks, i have been enjoying jared anderson for the first time. he writes and sings songs with a sweet heart for God. "great i am" and "inside" i adore, and the deeper i have sought out his songs, i have found many that are encouragements to my soul. if you like his work, you will appreciate this 6 minute interview clip, too, where he shares about "living your worship" in Jesus:

our time in texas started with a wedding and continued with lots of cousin time (the trampoline was always a hit), new critter discoveries (new at least for our 3), house and yard projects at my mother-in-law's, good rest and visiting with loved ones, and a little bit of play in san antonio. some of the moments i don't want to forget from that time follow:

{two huge stumps were removed. a lot of digging. then chaining and truck pulling.}

{an awesome sight seeing them loosened from the ground}

{many, many dozens of cascarones, confetti eggs were made for easter. see them in action below.}

{just waiting for some paste and tissue paper covering}

{one of many critters enjoyed by the little ones}

{one "critter" enjoyed particularly by me. saw this beauty drinking from the flowers almost daily.}

{i heart wildflowers}

{date day in san antonio at the tower of the americas for a bird's eye view of the city}

{a view from the top}

{old photos and historical stories about san antonio filled the walls of the panorama room at the top of the viewing tower. one of my favorites--horseback riding in the san antonio river in the beautiful brackenridge park in the 1930s.}

{the grounds below were lovely: fountains, pools, gardens, art work}

{yay for grandparents that love on our little ones and make date days (or evenings) so easy}

{one of the many art works on the grounds. i am attempting to enter the world of the mermaids here.}

{the institute of texan cultures was just a short walk away. we visited its "back 40" historical buildings. i was in a little piece of heaven. a great era recreated.}

{cousins soaking up one more night of play before we head back north}

{these 3 munchkins in their own little world of play, talk, and giggles made us smile often}

 {several hours from home, we had a tire detred. espi saw it right away (thankfully), stopped, and replaced it. AF waiting on daddy.}

{AD waiting on daddy}

{H waiting on daddy}

{espi getting us back on the road. greatly appreciate this man.}

{beyond this hill, begins the home stretch. snow peaked mountains come into view and many tall, ponderosa pines greet us with a warm welcome. after many hours of traveling, we are home.}