Table Rock Hike

We try to make it to the top of Table Rock once a year or so - and I think this was our best hike up there yet! 

Chase rode in the pack for a little while, but was a trooper and hiked up the rest of the way, without complaint! 

We made it to the top!

Enjoying the view!

Showing Daddy a flower:

 And this is what she looks like when she's screaming at me to hold her hand! Girlfriend knows what she wants. 

 On our way down - an amazing hike with amazing people!

Bigfoot Trap Hike

Every year I search for new adventures for our family, and every year I think we've done them all... but we never run out of fun new things to do around here! 


Our latest find was a fun little hike to an old Bigfoot trap - yes, really!  Apparently the person who built the trap truly believed it would catch Bigfoot! Well, we didn't spy Bigfoot but the hike was lovely - shaded, easy enough for the kids to hike the whole way, and lots of creeks, bridges, and climbing for the boys!

 This little guy just had the best attitude! "I YUV DIS HIKE, MAMA! IT'S SO FUN!"

 We found it!

 Snack break!

 And this wee one walked the whole way back!  "WHOA!!" she'd exclaim every time she lost her balance. It was adorable. 

 My favorites:

Love going on adventures with my family! 

Musical Baby

Isla loves to sing, and I often hear her singing this little tune... a few weeks ago I realized she's singing "The Greatest Show"!!!  I love it and I could watch it over and over and over again!

The "real" version:

An End of an Era

On Easter Sunday, Cole corned me while Chase was in the hall and whispered:

"Mama, did the Easter Bunny bring my Easter basket or was it you?"

I've been anticipating this question for a while.  His questions have become progressively more probing and curious about "magical" things.  I've always said something along the lines of "Well, what do you think?"... but I knew I never wanted to lie.  And my personal belief system with kids is that if they're old enough to ask the question, they are old enough to receive a direct and honest answer.

I whispered back, "It was me, sweetie."

"Was it you just this time or all the times?" he whispered, still conscious of Chase.

"All of the times."

He looked at me, grinned a big smile, and wrapped his arms around me tightly. "Then thank you for all those baskets, Mom!"

This boy.  His loving, thoughtful, generous heart.  In all the years I've pictured this conversation, I never imagined it ending up like this.  He exceeds all my expectations.  I just can't believe I get to be his mama!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!