Memorial Day 2012

Our Memorial Day was a beautiful one this year.  The sunshine was bright and the temperature was perfect. 

Our kids were old enough this year they could understand the meaning of the holiday.

A day celebrating the lives already past.

Our oldest daughter, our sensitive one, struggled a little.  She is empathetic and feels the pain of those grieving.  She wasn't sure she wanted to come to the cemetery with us.  I understand her feelings.  There are many emotions surrounding this day.

 We took the kids to visit the graves of family members.  Most of which passed on before the kids were born.   We did lose my husband's grandfather last year and the kids remember him.

I am thankful for family ties.  Legacy's of love continued past the grave.

We had an opportunity to tell the kids about their great grandparents.  A little about their lives and what they stood for. 

 We gave the kids each an opportunity to remember their great grandfather with a flower from our garden.

 Legacies are important.  Life is important.

Our children know this life is not the end. 

 We followed our trip to the cemetery with a family potluck at a local reservoir and park.

We met with a few of my husband's family....lots of nieces and nephews.

I want my kids to understand the importance of family.

 Memories.

 Legacies.

 Childhood Remembrances.

 Spending quality time together.

Life is short.
And...a new generation of families will grow up and celebrate those gone before them.

I want my children to understand what's important.

 And....what is lasting.

Legacies, Faith and Love won't pass away.

Mushroom Pickin'

Ready....Set.....Head for the Hills!

   Every spring our family has a tradition: picking mushrooms.  More specifically, Morel mushrooms.  We've held this tradition for many years.  I will admit, it hasn't always been my favorite.  I love time in the "woods", I love the outdoors.  But my problem is a mushroom location issue.  I am not great at finding them.  As a kid we had to pick "so many" before we could go home....and I don't think I helped a lot.  We used to sell our mushrooms and save the money for our family ski pass in the winter.  A good trade....but I was much better at skiing than finding Morels.
  Anyway, this past weekend while "up north" we took the kids to partake in our tradition.  I was pleasantly surprised how "into it" they got.  Morel hunting is much like a treasure hunt, and my kids enjoyed it.  They did fight however, over the bucket with the mushrooms.  I guess sharing wasn't our strong suit this time.  But they had a great time.
  We hunted over the mountain side.  The air smelled so fresh. 
Afterward we packed our mushrooms to Grandpa and Grandma's and Grandma fried them up.  A treat!  Well, Mattie thought so.  Hap and Annie decided fungus wasn't their style.  So funny.

My Die-Hard

Lookin' Hard

A Total Trooper.

Lil' Go-Getter.

Beautiful.

They're Here Somewhere!

Jackpot!  We Grandma Found Them!

A Mushroom Picking Lesson

The Bucket Everyone Wanted.

Grandpa.  We love you!

A Warm Day!

My Littlest Baby and My Dad.

We spent the afternoon traversing the hills.  Riding the Four-wheelers and enjoying mountain air.  A good time!  And....we did pick a couple mushrooms.....a couple.  :)

On a Walk to the Mailbox

  Mail.  The word is exciting.  Mail doesn't come directly to our house.  We have to work for it.  And...you never know what it might bring.
  The weather is getting nicer also, so the daily trek to the mailbox is wonderful!!!
It's funny....in hindsight.  The trek used to include a stroller.  Then it was a stroller and a tricycle.  After that came a stroller, tricycle and a bike with training wheels.  Now our excursions only include tennis shoes and bikes.  The stroller went into retirement (that sure went fast).  But the excitement of our daily trek hasn't changed.

 The Destination:

 The Moment of Truth:

The Way Home (someone has an awesome big brother):

Small and Wonderful Distractions:

Our trip should only take 20 minutes, but its usually an hour  before the mail is placed on the counter.  That's okay though....grass, flowers, and puppy dogs are worth it.