A lovely location discovered...

Last year was Grace's first time on snowshoes, she did great and she loved it. Now that the snow is really here to stay we decided to take her on another excursion. After much family debate we chose a new location that we'd never been to before.

It's a newly created preserve in our town and I'm confident our friend, Mr. B., Sr., had ALOT to do with bringing it into existence. He volunteers tirelessly to ensure our town will always keep it's green space and to protect the "Wild Things" among us. We owe him a big thanks. I guess I'll have lots of questions for him around the campfire this summer. What a great story teller he is to young and old alike; I could sit and listen for hours, and have! He is likely the closest Ye-Ye that Grace will ever have. She has even called him Grampa one or twice. I think he was flattered and would happily add one more to his flock.

Our walk started before the snow began. It was simply a brisk, fairly clear day, perfect. Miss Grace took a few minutes to get her "snow legs" since last year.

With a few pointers from Mom, she was clipping right along in no time. A real natural.

One of my favorite things about hiking with little ones is helping them discover the awe in nature. All things are designed by our Creator with a plan and a purpose. We were fortunate to come upon a milkweed pod that had dried and it's beautiful silk and seeds were still intact. A mini-science lesson opportunity taken! We of course left it there for someone else (perhaps a  furry or feathered friend) to enjoy.

Then all of a sudden the snow began to fall. It was absolutely awesome. We felt like we were living in a snow shaker!

The whole character of the trail changed once the snow came. All of a sudden the world took on a stillness. It felt wilder, chillier and farther away from home. A great adventure for our little one.

All along the trail are bitter sweet vines. I happened to catch this shot as we crossed a stream. For Christmas, Peter and I bought each other a Nikon D90. We he learns a lot quicker than me have a lot to learn but it sure makes moments like this fun to catch!

Then just as Miss Grace was getting tired and ready to turn back, we found this really cool tree. Check out the bark, it looks like a pattern. I'm now on a quest to find out what kind it is. More later on that...

A lovely day indeed to enjoy nature's beauty.

Still hearing the snow fall ~Kate-Lyn~

A busy, fun weekend...

...for the kids that is. But then again, we had fun too. It started on Friday right after school. With the car loaded with lacrosse gear, Barbie/KaiLan videos, snacks, winter gear and a map we picked up Ross at his school. Then we got Grace at her school. Ross was given the amazing opportunity to play in a JV/Varsity Tournament at Hobart and Williams College so how could we NOT go, even if it was scary weather?!

It was snowing heavily and it was icy; we had a three and a half hour drive ahead of us.  For the most part it was an uneventful drive, thank You God. We arrived at our hotel on schedule and the hotel was great.

Ross no sooner saw a teammate than he asked did Ross bring running shoes? Er...(insert crickets chirping here), no, why? Well, says the teammate, no cleats are allowed. G-r-e-a-t, guess our "journey" is not over. So, out they went on a different quest this time. By God's grace (this I know), in this podunky town, they found a reasonably priced ($59.00), size 10.5 pair of running shoes. WHEW! OK, now we could relax after that long, drive.

The next morning we arose at 6:00 a.m. to ready for the day. After a big breakfast (did I mention they have chocolate chips muffins there?!), we went to the field house. I know Ross had butterflies in his stomach, but do you think he showed it? Not. At. All. Gotta love that kid!

The short and long of the day is that he did great. He competed every bit as well as the Seniors he played alongside of. Yes he knows he has a lot to learn, but through this he's come to see his strengths too. I am very proud of him; he has worked hard for this opportunity. Seize the moment son!

 

 

 Yup, it was a busy, fun day. Oh, and did I mention what Grace was doing? 

She was working the bleachers, selling candy bars for her school.

She sold over 50 candy bars in less than and hour and a half. Mmm-hmmm, good haul, you go girl!

Then on Sunday, the day she'd waited for, for s-o-o long...soccer began!!!! Well, sort of. Due to a major break in communications (we were not notified of a time change-GRRRR!), we were a half an hour late. I must say though, she was a real trooper and rolled with the punches just fine.

So here she is on her first BIG, long-anticipated (she'd ask me every morning how many more days until soccer starts) first day of SOCCER!!!

And some not so great video footage too...

I suppose I don't need to say that she can't wait for next week do I? Yup, busy and fun. Sometimes Monday looks good, just so we can slow down a bit, lol!

Still smilin' ~ Kate-Lyn

A new year, and new friends...

This morning we enjoyed a lovely brunch with several other families with daughters from China. The brunch was coordinated by my new friend Lori. She graciously included Elizabeth's family and ours into her group that has met for over 12 years now. I met Lori through our balloon festival volunteer work. Her daughters* are a little older than our Grace and for that I am very thankful. It gives me insight into the future as I hear of the place that they are in their journey--a great blessing indeed!



back  row (l-r) Alana-Hefei, Anhui; *Kaylee-Chongqing, Sichuan;
Hannah- Chengdu, Sichuan; *Kara-Chongqing, Sichuan
front row (l-r) Grace - Bengbu, Anhui; Elizabeth - Nanning, Jiangxi