Mornings

We get up together to walk the dog.  Sometimes it's dewy and we try and catch drops on our toes.  Other days we follow deer tracks while telling stories about baby deer and their mamas.  Today was quiet, hand in hand, watching which way Mica's nose took her.  Take the dog for a walk was going to be the time I got for myself, at a pace fast enough to be called exercise.  Taking the dog together in the morning is so much more than that.

Children Full of Life (1 of 5)

This is such an inspiring video. I rarely share video, but this one I found both touching and moved by the compassion the children have for each other...encouraged in the classroom none the less!

A Piece of Art

...and we got to ride in this beautiful handcrafted replica voyageurs canoe. I don't think they sang We all live in a yellow submarine the way we did though!

Fur and Friends

I don't know if it was harder for them to sit nicely for the photo or me keeping a straight face long enough to get a photo! They are a crazy bunch!

Lang Pioneer Village

We love exploring pioneer villages, it was the first time we have been to this particular one. To make it even better the village was hosting a fur trade re-enactment and we met up with good friends.
There was a chance to explore the village, go to school, see some traditional woodworking tools in action, peek inside houses and watch handiwork. A fur trading camp was set up, with sash weaving, canoes, traditional clothing, items that would have been traded for furs and lots of people to answer questions. We tried our hands at rope making, crafting beavers, earning fur by setting mouse traps, weaving, traditional toys to play with and the kids were most thrilled that Dadda got to throw a tomahawk!!

Introducing Our Newest Family Member

The kids have been asking for a dog for a few years, ever since Marly died. During that time we have been busy with life; Shai arrived, we sold our house, moved, got lots of other animals, had a month long holiday. Phew. We agreed that we would discuss a dog after our holiday, because life would be calm then...right?! While we don't really expect life to be calm, the addition of a dog to our family feels wonderful and right.

With so much love already, we are excited to introduce Mica (although some family members prefer it spelled Myca), named after the black mineral. She is a beautiful four month old black lab. She is incredibly calm, affectionate, while still being a fun playful puppy. It has been a natural transition having her in our family. She has been coming everywhere with us; birthday parties, the beach, hiking, the library, visiting. The kids are smitten. We all are.

Snapshots of Summer

It's summer. Full. Birthday parties, lots of beach time, music, art, visitors, exploring. It's been busy since we have been home.

Home

We are home.

The trip was great. It was amazing. To be exploring new places, getting lost in history, watching the cousins play, have the grandparents show the grandkids so many firsts, all of that and more. Since we had a month away, we had the luxury to feel adventurous, relaxed, excited, in awe, amazed, in the moment. Watching the kids flow from new place to new food to new people with open eyes and hearts was incredible.
Coming home is always wonderful; being back in your own bed, rediscovering those special comforting corners. Even though the trip was a long one, the longest we have taken as a family, we didn't feel ready to come home. It didn't feel like 4 weeks, but a few days. Late night dinners in Spain were calling us, having the ocean at our door step was missed, we craved British chocolate, Moroccan breakfast donuts and flat bread. For the first week back I kept hearing the kids say to each other If we were in Spain we would be swimming in the pool right now or nothing is better than the smell of the ocean.
Now begins the sorted of photos (literally thousands), putting together our scrapbook, re-reading our journal, recounting favorites.
So slowly, I will be sharing our travels.