Outside

  I forgot how much my kids love being outside.  And nature.  I forgot how much I like being outside too.  It's easy to think that going outside means you have to go to a playground or go for a walk with a destination in mind.  Yesterday, I had intentions of going to the Redwood Preserve, take the kids on a hike, and take some pics while we were there.

  Well, there were some detours to even getting to the preserve (yesterday's blog) and things don't always go as planned even when you finally get there.  Is this a surprise?  Despite me running after her and stopping her from running down the hill the first time and telling her not to, she decided to keep running and fell down.  Then Joel accidentally tripped over her which basically meant her head was knocked into the ground.  You'll see her forehead in a minute.

  So, basically, our hike turned into hanging out in one area 25 yards into the trail for the next 45 minutes because I wasn't carrying her around.  But it was SO fun and the kids loved exploring.  I was reminded how we often try to fabricate these experiences of touching new textures, uncovering hidden things, and getting your hands dirty all within the confines of 4 walls.  Yesterday, there was no fighting (well, except for over one large stick), no crying (after we got over the pain of the fall), and nothing to complain about.  It was like a breath of fresh air, I guess because it really was.

    And even though we didn't hike around and we got there way later than planned, I got some really great pics of my babies.  And even ONE (count it) of Joel with his shirt tucked in!  haha.

   He thought he was pretty funny pulling it out immediately.  He kinda is.  This smile.  My joyful, sweet Joel Joel boy.

   His chosen pose.

 This one too.

 A little less natural than Joel leaning against the tree, but like brother like sister.

  Right before we left Joel wanted to take a picture and he got a great one of us! 

  There might have been a brand new forehead scrape (with tears and a runny nose to prove it!) and hot chocolate spilled all down the front of their clothes, but this is childhood and I want to capture it exactly for what it is.  And this is beautifully it.

Happy friday!