My Walk With the Kids....

Matt had to run out to a meeting tonight after dinner, so I took the kids on our evening walk and took along my camera this time. There is always so much going on with the five kids on a walk so I thought I would share some pictures from tonight.

Bell started out keeping me company while the others ran ahead to play on the trail...

Joslyn found this nasty spider and we just had to get his picture...

I asked the kids to stop for at least a minute so i could capture all of them together-they attempted to cooperate:)

Joslyn spent the time picking wild flowers...

Madison was walking Ellie but stopped to add a few to the bouquet...

Sun just about to set behind the trees...

Joslyn and Noah kept a steady pace a bit in front of me.

Cole was wild man running across the field in order to beat all of us...

The girls had these flowers already in jars upon my arrival at the front door. It was another good evening walk...

Some Much Needed Time in the Woods...

We can all smell it in the air around here....Spring! Even our ears are filled with the sounds of Spring as the windows have finally been cracked. So after dinner tonight, we took a much needed walk through the woods together. Just a few peeks ....

LOVIN THE OUTDOORS AGAIN!!!

Bell with her new buddy.
So Noah is not enjoying the pictures as much as Mama-but I just love that I caught this little tantrum! How can they look so cute when they are being such stinkers?
Melt my heart!!! I love the bond between big sister and little brother.
Joslyn really does love to watch over Noah-and she is so gentle and patient with him.
Joslyn-our 8 year old beauty.
The littlest man!

Madison climbed down to the stream to fetch this little rose that was floating in it for Bell.
My lovelies!!! One of these days we will capture a smile on everyone at the same time-but for now, this will do;)


Daddy and Noah-the boy loves his freedom but does tire out eventually!
Madison is counting how many slivers and thorns i will need to remove when we get home-yikes!
Daddy, Bell and Noah.
"Hey Mom"
I did it!!! I caught a real smile on the boy! You Know that has been my most wanted list! He smiles all the time but is a little goober when it comes to the camera. I have to basically walk with the camera at my face, hoping not to walk into the tree, so that I capture that moment. Matter of fact, that is probably what he is laughing about, I must have tripped while glued to the camera.
Awww...Love

It was a great afternoon! LIFE AGAIN!! It will be fun to watch the forest awake from it's brown slumber. There is a season for everything, but I sure love the earth waking up.

A Day Out in Nature-I wish I lived In the Woods!

One of the hardest things when we moved here from Minnesota almost 7 years ago was leaving behind the incredible beauty up there! There is a peace that comes from being in God's creation and not man's! So, scouting out places for us to get out in nature was one of the first on the list. We love to hike out at one of the forest preserves near us and it has started to feel like home. Tuesday we spent the afternoon out there and finished our hiking just as the gorgeous storms rolled in! Beautiful day outside and a cozy night inside-perfect!