Treasure Hunt

Henry David Thoreau once said, "We can never have enough of nature."

I couldn't agree more!

We're fortunate to have a nature trail right behind our house.  When things get crazy in the house, we head to the trail and go on a treasure hunt.

Our region is famous for The Gold Rush of the 1850's.  While we haven't struck gold, we do find our share of treasures now and again.

On this particular treasure hunt, John Michael scored a small, smooth river rock.

A crunchy, sycamore leaf.

 

A very cool, long stick that he used to smash his special leaf, and which doubled as a walking stick...

until he decided it was time to climb back on his trusty steed.

I think he's saying, "Well, are you going to push me, or what?"

Soaking up some Mother Nature...

Last weekend, we enjoyed a sunny afternoon at Effie Yeaw Nature Center along the American River, where the deer, coyotes, and wild turkeys roam.  These turkeys were HUGE!

Inside the Nature Center itself are rescued wild animals, such as an owl, a king snake, two garter snakes and a kestrel.  You never know what else you might find there...  Greta was mermerized by the deer crossing our path.

Along the trail and through the bushes, we saw one buck and more deer than we could count!

The park has many different walking paths amid the oaks that lead to the river or to a small pond.

 

  John Michael loved the trails and seeing all the animals.  He even found the perfect walking stick to navigate the way.  Every boy needs a walking stick after all...

  

 The girls had fun tossing small rocks in river, at first trying to make them skip, and then giving in to just tossing them in by the handful.

 
Even Luke enjoyed the sunshine and soaked up some Vitamin D.

The "pack" watched me with hungry eyes as I set up our picnic lunch. 

Can't wait for more outdoor now that spring is almost here!

Our Growing Family... Enjoy Your Weekend!

Last Sunday we got a nice break in the weather to take a 2 mile loop nature hike along the American River near our home. The lush green grass, cool river breeze and blue sky dotted with white, puffy clouds was good for my soul and my brain.
This fence always cracks me up. It says "No Trespassing", which our family technically was doing by standing on that side of the fence. But that's what's so funny. There's just his lone gate, long abandoned by any semblance of a fence attached to it. How on earth do they keep anything out?

Below... our growing family...

A couple walking by offered to take our photo.

Yes, we're growing by another member, but really, I am amazed at how much my kids have grown this year!

Nicolas is now officially taller than me, although in this photo he's standing at a slight incline. I'm about 5'7" and, at age 12 1/2, Nic is just under 5'8".  It's strange to look eye-to-eye, but he still knows height doesn't replace authority. :-)  Anna and Greta are also tall for their age, and John Michael is relatively tall according to the Down syndrome growth chart... thanks to Doug's genes I'm sure. I'm not getting taller, just rounder at 22 weeks today.

This is such a cool place... so natural and serene. This huge tree must've fallen down 15 years ago or so. I can't remember it ever not being there. And by the well-worn path going under and around the tree, it's clear that many people besides us have stopped to enjoy the view and, perhaps, a climb.

I hope you find time to enjoy your weekend with the ones you love, too.

Feeling Sentimental... It's all in a name.

I was taking a walk with John Michael and our dog, Mitzi, this morning on the nature trail behind our house. The planes and helicopter were buzzing overhead, the finches were flitting and chirping in the old oaks, the cat was slyly following us and ducking behind each tree along the way, and the sun was bright and cheery, warming us in its glow. Perfect for feeling sentimental.

I've often thought of why we called our little guy John Michael. Always by both names, not just one.

When I was pregnant with him, we called him Thomas for the longest time. But in my 8th month, Thomas just didn't feel right. John Michael, two very strong Biblical names, and also the 2 first names of Doug's brother and mine, we knew it was the right name. The only problem was that we'd named a baby I'd miscarried before JM was conceived by the same name. We don't know if it was a girl or boy, but the kids and I wanted to honor the little soul with a name. I came to terms with the idea of naming our newest little guy with this powerful name and I'm so glad we did.

His name means "God's grace" and "One who is like God". With a double name like that, who wouldn't agree that John Michael's life is nothing but filled with God's grace and he radiates that grace to those around him? There is no doubt that he is a gift from God and since God makes no mistakes, I know he was intended to be born with that extra set of 21st chromosomes. Bonus genes. Designer genes. Heavenly genes.