National Park Trip 2014: Junior Ranger

Now that he's 5, our small boy could work toward junior ranger badges--and it was one of the most fun parts of our trip! The first thing we got him on our trip was a junior ranger hat:

And he became an expert at spotting animals and making sure we put things in the trash.

Mr. Cool may have gotten a hat too!

In Yellowstone, the program was a lot more intense, but Lincoln worked hard to earn his geyser badge.

He worked on it at the junior ranger station before attending a ranger talk.

We heard a talk on how grizzly bears communicate while buffalo roamed by.

He worked on it at our campsite while I wrote postcards.

And he even accessorized his hat to help with his investigations:

It was so much fun to help him and encourage him to learn and write and color and explore!

National Park Road Trip 2014: Top Waterfalls

Who am I kidding?  They were all magnificent!  If waterfalls are your thing, head to Grand Teton National PRk and Yellowstone National Park!

Hidden Falls--Grand Teton. This was a crazy hike--wading through snow and slipping on muddy rocks next to a snow-melt swollen creek.

Keplar Cascades--Yellowstone.  Right off the road when you enter through the South Entrance.

Gibbon Falls--Yellowstone. I loved how this waterfall was so broad, with both a slow trickling waterfall and a fast rushing one.

Firehole Falls--Yellowstone. In a beautiful canyon on a lovely drive.

Mystic Falls--Yellowstone. Another crazy hike--rainy and cool and in a bear-frequented trail--and we were the first hikers.  I may have approached panic attack!

Upper Falls on the Yellowstone River--not the major one, but gorgeous--and we had it all to ourselves to watch rainbows.

Now it's time for the big one--Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River!

Lincoln at the Brink of the Falls--intense!

Lookout Point--full view--really brought home how amazing it was to stand near the edge!

Through the trees at Artist's Point . . .

The inspiring money shot at Artist's Point. 

We listened to a great sermon by Tim Keller about how we, as followers of Christ, should interact with nature--and one concept stood out:  the waterfall (or any natural thing) is praising God through being as created, so we should let the waterfall be the waterfall.  I rejoiced this trip in letting the waterfall be its own beautiful created splashing self.

Five Already?!

So, we had a Lego Party!

Mr. Cool helped with creating a ton of little Legos for decoration!

Lincoln helped color the minifigs!

We all worked to decorate the sidewalk before the party!

We played games, then ate Lego cakes and marshmallow minifig pops!

Lincoln had a marvelous time, but I felt overwhelmed by the fact that I am now mother to five-year-old!  He is now a little person--his personality continues to come out--and school is next!  I am excited to see the growth as he learns and grows--and I'm excited to spend the summer building Legos!

He is Risen Indeed!

We played this song at my mom's memorial, and I listen to it often.  I find the power of Christ's resurrection means so much more than before--he has conquered death, not only for himself, but for all--for my beloved mom, for me, for you.  Happy Easter!  Rejoice!

CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD 

by Matt Maher

Let no one caught in sin remain*

Inside the lie of inward shame

We fix our eyes upon the cross

And run to him who showed great love

And bled for us

Freely you bled, for us

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!

Beneath the weight of all our sin

You bow to none but heavens will

No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown

No burden great can hold you down

In strength you reign

Forever let your church proclaim

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?

Oh hell! Where is your victory?

Oh Church! Come stand in the light!

Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead

We are one with him again

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave

Rise up from the grave...

Way, way behind

Lincoln and I have taken to pizza art:

I've knit a few things:

Lincoln has gone sledding:

We have done some crafting:

We welcomed a tiny nephew:

Lincoln worked on writing his name and drawing silly people:

And suddenly, it was the middle of February!

Christmas Crafting

The gifts are all distributed, so it's time to share what Manda Claus crafted!

I made Mr. Cool a new red hat:

I made Lincoln a slightly off Spock Monkey,

And Mr. Cool and I crafted him a Lego table:

For my dad, nephews, and friends I made fancy pillowcases--the blue cowboy fabric was one my mom and I had made together:

For all my related ladies and friends, I made Chapstick cozies:

I made ornaments:

I knitted bracelets for my knitting posse and sister:

I knitted a hat for my ninth nephew:

Stuffed some stockings with play dough building kits:

I crafted Cinderella sculpture hair bows for my niece, and sewed her Cinderella aprons:

Whew!  Manda Claus is tired!

Ramblings on my Mom's birthday

Today would have been my mom's 63rd birthday--I loved her birthday as a child because it meant only ten more days until Christmas!  I don't think mom necessarily loved having a birthday so close to Christmas, although it did lead to her name, Joy. Today in church we lit the candle of joy for advent--I misted up quite a bit--it felt like a birthday candle, and a reminder of her deep belief.

A friend passed along this picture from my parents' wedding invitations--I love how young and gorgeous mom looks.

I have a little tree filled with ornaments mom made--this time of year feels very filled with her presence.  Decorations, recipes, and dates are intimately connected with her.  I think this will always be true, but hopefully the bitter will continue to leach out, leaving only the sweet.

I have been sewing lots of gifts on my mom's Bernina (sewing machine) this month--she was so amazing at sewing, and I am improving.  I miss having her help, and admonition for my corner cutting.  It is lovely to sew on her machine, though, to have a connection to something she touched and created with.

I have seen almost every sunrise this year--sometimes I wake up and watch them and then go back to bed--and every one is a burst of hope and renewed joy.  I love you, mom--thank you for the joy of Christmas and life that you nourished in me.