Nurturing a love for nature

There's just something about being outside, enjoying nature that makes my soul well. It makes my heart happy to watch my children play in and love the beauty that surrounds us. Each season has its own magic - spring flowers and budding trees, summer sunshine, radiant fall colors, and frosty winters. Nature is a witness of God's reality and love for His children. I feel closer to Him when I take the time to be in nature. 

Its a beautiful world we live in and I am grateful for it.

All of my wonderful children smiling for the camera on our nature walk

My two adventurers coming back with wood from the forest.

Nate helping Lauren with a heavy snowball

There and back again

Last month Aaron and I discovered this interesting trail nearby.

I thought this called for a celebration, namely a Hobbit Party, since it is "no bad thing to celebrate a simple life".

We began by going on an adventure (aka, walking the Hobbit Trail as a family) Note: our trusty guide dog Thorin Barkenshield.

When we arrived home we were greeted at the door

And found our "Hobbit feet" socks on the stairs

Matt sporting his Hobbit feet at Bilbo's door 

Past our Shire-ish looking tree

We played a game of riddles where I did my best Gollum voice. After answering a riddle correctly, our dear Hobbits would get a chance at the ring toss

Once the ring made it on the post it was time to pick a treat - Radagast's Rhosgobel Rabbits (aka Annie's gummy bunnies), Beorn's Grahams, or honey sticks with honey from Beorn's bees

Then the Hobbits played "Spider and Bilbo freeze tag" while I set out the feast - sausages, taters, pies, cheese platter,  mushrooms, carrots, corn, peas (from Farmer Maggot's crop) and Green dragon cream soda.

Vegetables from Farmer Maggot, courtesy of Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took

Then it was time to shoot the dragon Smaug and get our treasure

And still...

Cute little tapping mouse and ballet fairy

Lauren had her first dance recital for the ballet/tap class she has been taking. She did really well and was cute as can be.

Snow day

We don't get a lot of it but sure enjoy it when it comes!

Yellowstone

We visited Yellowstone this summer and were impressed with the variety of nature's beauty and wonders. It was busy too, we checked off seeing 43 of the 50 state's license plates while in the different parking lots at Yellowstone.

The timing was perfect for seeing Old Faithful, it went off 5 minutes after we arrived.

We saw all the usual animals...Bison and Elk. Alia really wanted to see a bear and on our second day of visiting we got to see one right off the road.