Creek Hill

One of my favorite places to go is Creek Hill in the Spread Eagle Barrens. My dad lived just across the road from the Barrens for a big part of his childhood, and he remembers spending entire days out there. The Barrens is now a State Natural Area, so it's a bit more controlled than it used to be. Creek Hill used to be just that, a hill. Now it has a gravel parking lot and a viewing platform...but that same amazing view is still there.

My dad and I took the boys out to Creek Hill while I was home. Liam and my dad took their guns (Liam's was a squirt gun!) "just in case" they saw a coyote! They looked and listened, but didn't have any luck!

Spring!

This picture turned out really neat! I love the shadows and all the texture when you're this close up.

We are busy growing flowers inside and waiting for it to warm up enough to get our garden outside going!

Liam and I planted some nasturtiums and dwarf sunflowers in pots we painted ourselves!

We've been exploring outside in all the warmer weather, too!

Aunties

Camping in March...

Liam was watching a show the other day with characters who ask a lot of questions. He usually just listens to the questions and watches the show, but doesn't really answer. I heard one of the characters ask, "If you could go on a trip, where would you like to go?"

"Uncle Dave's camp!" I heard him say quietly to himself.

So adorable. We're excited for camp too, buddy! (but not until August...)

The Greats

Liam's Hat Party!

The boys and I were up north (where else would we be?!) for a long weekend with my sisters who are home on spring break. It was a ton of fun just hanging out and doing things together. It's been quite a long time since we were all home at the same time. Both aunties spent lots of time "hiking" and "hunting" outside with Liam and snuggling and playing with Max. Liam always has great ideas for things to do, and he decided that we were going to have a party on Tuesday night! He wanted to make a special hat and then invite Uncle Jay over for the party! So, he and his aunts made a pretty fetching hat for Jason to wear!

Then they passed the time waiting for Jason by "swording" and wearing Rambo headbands.

I LOVE this picture. Liam's face is hilarious.

Grammy Pammy came home and needed a headband, too!

And one for Grandpa Howie!

Uncle Jay finally arrived! He wore his custom hat with such pride.

Then we all at tacos while wearing our hats.

It was a great party, Liam!

Grandmas & Grandpas...

My parents invited Grandpa Ron and Grandma Meg up north a few weeks ago. They've spent Thanksgiving with us in the past, and even participated in their first deer drive (!), but it had been awhile since their last trek to Florence! Meg and I attended the Women's Wellness Day in Kingsford while the boys stayed at home. They had a great time!

Rocks & Minerals

Liam and I were "hiking" around the yard today when we found a white rock broken in half. Inside the rock were bright white crystals that caught the sunlight. I told Liam that he should save the rock for his collection.

"This is my mineral!" he said.

"Where did you learn that word?!" I asked him.

He informed me that he'd learned it on Dinosaur Train and wandered away with his "mineral."

Celebrating St. Urho!

My Grandma Karen and Grandpa Richie's families are Finnish, so all of the grandchildren have received a great deal of Finnish "instruction" thoughout the years! Liam has even learned to count to five in Finnish and can sing Finnish songs with Grandpa! I really like learning more about this part of our heritage, and whenever my grandparents do something with their Finnish-American club they invite us along.

St. Urho's Day is celebrated on March 16, the day before St. Patrick's Day. He is a mythical figure who supposedly chased all of the grasshoppers out of Finland. We celebrated the heroism of St. Urho this weekend with a dinner/dance with the club. We wore our green and royal purple while enjoying a wonderful dinner and fine entertainment.

Someone dresses up as St. Urho every year, and guess who was given the honor this time?

Why, Aaron of course!

He was a great sport and wore his costume with pride.

St. Urho, legend has it, was a very tall man...and since Aaron stands 6'5", he was a great candidate! (His actual height is best illustrated when standing next to my grandma...)

St. Urho and his queen, Carol, led a spirited procession around the ballroom!

We followed their lead!

St. Urho graciously posed for many pictures...this one is my favorite!

Our patron saint...Urho.

We had a great night!

Portrait With Football

Coyote Calls

Coyote Bob (aka Grandpa Howie) has been pretty successful with his hunting lately, bagging a total of 8 coyotes so far! Liam is very interested in the coyotes and "calls" them from my parents' deck when we're visiting. Grandpa Howie will sometimes hide the call and turn it on to "answer" Liam's call. He gets pretty excited when he hears it! This past weekend, Auntie Kimmy helped Liam with a new call that involved whistling and dancing...it was quite effective...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We spent the day with new friends at the Raiche home! Jen and I met during a Catholic youth retreat when I was in high school and have just reconnected. She invited us to their St. Patrick's Day party, and when Liam heard about it you'd have though he had just won a million dollars (or a million fruit snacks...either/or)! There are four boys! And they all love Star Wars! He kept the invitation on his dresser for weeks and asked me every day when the party was going to be. It was adorable to see him so excited!

Jen had a great lunch prepared and had planned some fun games and a reading of the book Patrick by Tomie De Paola.

We all wore green, drank green punch and ate scones with green sprinkles! Jen also made little felt shamrock pins for all the moms to remind us of the Trinity. We all had a really great time, and I especially enjoyed hanging out with other moms and just enjoying the day. Liam was thrilled to have other kids to play with and Max was more than happy to drool on someon else's toys for awhile (Sorry, Jen!).

Most of all, it was wonderful to spend time with women who have similar convictions to my own and strive to live faithfully and fully. Faith, food, fun and friends. It was a good day!

Goodbye, Winter!

The last snowman of the year...I hope!

Not because I hate snowmen...just because we're ready for spring!

Liam and I are already growing flowers in our basement! Hooray for warm weather!

Snowshoe Adventure!

I took a hike one sunny day up north.

The shadows were long,

The sun was bright,

The woods were beautiful.

The snow was softening as I turned toward home...

And water from the melting snow splashed from the roof to the puddles below.

Liam was watching and waiting for me!

And Max wasn't worried about my absence...he was with grandpa!