{Fern Springs & cousins....}

When I was growing up, we would hike down through a neighbor's pasture to visit "Fern Springs," a natural spring that was tucked down along a creek bank.

What I remember as a kid is that it was always green and cool down by the spring, even when it 100+ outside.We decided to take all the kids down to the spring.

Even in the cold temperatures, there were small ferns and moss where the water was flowing from the rocks behind this crew. There used to be a pipe that came out of the rock and you could get the water from it, but it was there on the ground, no longer connected.

It flows down into this stream that had ice on top but we watch the little fish swimming around under the ice!

I think the kids could have spent hours down there exploring! This rock that Abigayl is standing on has names etched on it dating back 130 years! Eli headed up to the ridge above the spring...

There are many things that have been etched and left in the stone over the years...

and the kids explored around through the timber while the grown-ups just enjoyed being there.

A great big sister who always has time for a little one...

part of the hiking crew...

I love this picture... laughter & memories being made!

One of my nephews found this cool nest as we walked back.

The evening was spent celebrating Christmas together. All the cousins together...

which usually leads to more laughter...

I love the combination of Christmas+ Family!

{thirteen}

A few days after Thanksgiving, we had another celebration at our house as Abigayl celebrated her birthday.

She loves Chuck Taylor Converse shoes so the kids found one for her collection! 

Then she got the real ones that she had  hoped for...

A friend came to share her ice cream cake and spend the evening watching a movie with us.

Abigayl, you are a blessing! You stand firm for what you believe in and you work hard. I love your creativity and willingness to always help out. You fill the house with music and laughter. 

Happy 13th birthday!

{The Air Musuem}

The day after Thanksgiving, we headed to an air museum. It was quiet there and we had the place almost totally to ourselves!

At one point, I realized Wesley wasn't next to me but i could hear him... He's found a cockpit to crawl in and was making great machine gun sounds in his own little world!

One of the volunteers let the kids get up close with some of the cool planes they had!

This plane & display reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas read alouds... The Lighthouse Santa!

He found another cockpit to sit in:)

The older kids loved the simulators and spent a long time trying to fly them!

The weather was beautiful, a big change from the last time my sister and her family came to visit! We had an ice & snow storm then, this time we were in short sleeves & shorts!

My brother-in-law's dad was a decorated military pilot, it was cool that the museum had several plans that Clay had flown and he had great stories from his dad about them!

After the museum, we stopped at the best food truck in town for a little slice of heaven... YUMMY!

{Thanksgiving 2017}

My sister's family (minus my 2 nephews) spent Thanksgiving with us this year.

The weather was beautiful this year! last time they came to visit on Thanksgiving we were holed up inside as the snow and wind blew outside! This year we went the afternoon biking...

Reading stories together...

then headed out to the State Lake to enjoy the outdoors and make s'mores over a camp fire!

 So much to be thankful for this year!!!

{WK Orchestra Festival}

Lenna & Abigayl played at the WK Orchestra Festival the weekend before Thanksgiving. 

I took them along with Wesley and Clara. We had a lot of fun, including staying with family friends that I hadn't seen and caught up with for a long time.

The pictures are from the concert, they played in 2 different orchestras.  

Each group played 3 songs, Abigayl's list included Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space, which was fun!

Lenna's orchestra was the 3rd  to play. They also had some beautiful selections.

While the girls practiced, Clara, Wesley and I checked out a local nature center.

 They tried on Buffalo Robes...

 Walked around the lake, jumped off a few hills and checked out the statues...

 We had a great trip, lots of good music and time with friends!