Morning Hike

The wind chill was so cold today - I told the kids it was going to freeze my ears right off my head. But bundle up we all did to take on another hike around our yard in the woods...I think the morning started out around 22 degree's and warmed up to 29 a little later on as the sun came up....and last night- we saw snow fall, barely, lightly, but it did fall- we stood in the yard shinning flashlights up into it watching the glittery little flecks fall from the sky like stars- amazing! Although there was not much ice on the ground this morning as yesterday when we got to the trail on our hike there was a nice frozen puddle the kids had fun sliding across, grabbing hold of each other as to not fall..until our son did fall! Laughs all around- even in the cold it was wonderful...and what a glorious feeling to find that little ray of sun poke through the trees. We'd stop along the sun beam streaked path and put our faces up to the sun, warming them then hike some more. What a beautiful world we live in.

Chilly fun  morning hiking!

A bit of Freeze going on around here!

This morning we woke up to find icy cars, icy grass, icy roof...ice everywhere. The dogs crunched as they walked outdoors this morning and sniffed at the ice below their feet. Our son grabbed his sled and was able to get some sliding going on...the ice made it just enough slippery - and with the help of Momma pulling he went fast sliding down the hill! We went on a cold hike in the woods...exploring and examining some mushrooms, frozen leaves and tree stumps. Running into about 12 wild turkeys, hearing birds sing and saw some deer droppings but no deer. A good day but great to get back inside to the warmth too! Movie and reading time remains for the afternoon today!

A beautiful cold day in the woods...our backyard.

Pend Oreille

Finally during the day late this afternoon were able to cross the long bridge across the Pend Oreille River in Sandpoint. The last time it had been past sun down and not much was able to be seen. Today, even with over cast clouds it was beautiful...the water, bridge, mountains and treeline.

The Pend Oreille River begins at Lake Pend Oreille in Bonner County, Idaho in the Idaho Panhandle, draining the lake from its western end near Sandpoint (The Clark Fork River enters the lake from its eastern end). It flows west, receiving the Priest River from the north at the town of Priest River, then flows into southern Pend Oreille County in northeastern Washington at Newport. 

(Source-from Wikipedia)

A day venturing into town to check out a few stores, shop and come home with a computer desk for our kids to share for homeschooling. A little lunch out and back home in time for dinner. A lovely afternoon sight seeing and being together.

Park Play

This afternoon we adventured...to the laundry mat...yes laundry had to be done and we parted with our washing machine and have yet to purchase another one. But luckily the laundry mat is only a few short blocks away...dropping daddy off to start on the load the kids and I ventured to the park in town for the first time. Everything was fun...the leaves on the ground, the worms in the dirt, the pine cones, the new to us play equipment, swinging while viewing the mountains before us filled with tree's and green...imaging what everything will look like when the snow comes. Excitement, anticipation, fun.

Never to old to enjoy the playground even momma enjoyed the swings!

{this moment}

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{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Linking to Soule Mama 

 Blessed exploring our new surroundings after our move.

Exploring our Backyard (Woods)

Even with the drizzle, rain and fog that has come this week it has still been unbelievable gorgeous. Sun is in the forecast for Friday, through the weekend and next week though. But even with a little wetness it didn't stop us from exploring and taking a small hike into our backyard aka the woods. With sun this weekend I'm sure that's where you'll find us! Our kids so ecstatic and our son already naming off all of types of field guides and identification books for plants, animals, mushrooms and more he'll need.

Already a science lesson....gathering samples in the woods of bark and tree leaves for identification.

The Move

The move was very eventful...but we were well equipped to deal with everything thrown our way and stronger for it in the end. With lots of prayers and faith we made it to our destination. Starting our move out late- we had great expectations to leave by 6am- we left at 2pm. We are so incredibly blessed and grateful for good friends...ones that came and helped, ones that brought goodies and food for us, ones that came to send us off and say goodbye- we have made great relationships and that showed in our time of need when our friends were there. Finally off on the road our trailer got a flat tire come 10:30pm and we were stuck not quite at our destination where our hotel room had been booked. Roadside assistance took 4 hours....I'm thankful the kids slept and were not affected. Phoning every hotel in town we finally found one that would allow us 3 dogs in the room- thank you Lord! The tow truck came, the trailer was loaded and we were on our way to a bed for sleep.

Exhausted, sleep felt so good...our alarms went off 4 hours later. Hubbie met the trailer at the shop and two new tires were put on. The kids and I fed and watered the animals...dogs, chickens, pigeons, rabbits, guinea pigs- everyone seemed to be doing well having spent the night in the car (well, not the dogs). Hubbie returned and hooked up the trailer. We were all ready to go - - but before we did- our family had a prayer together for safety, well being, to guide us and be with us through our travels. On the road...through Utah and finally into Idaho (our final destination) - excitement seeing that 'Welcome to Idaho' sign before us! We kept driving into Montana then back into Idaho. Montana gave us heavy rain and some snow.  Our new landlords were gracious enough to tell us to drive straight through and no matter what the time they would meet us so we could sleep the night in our new home. 3am we arrived at our new house! Signed our papers, unloaded a few sleeping bags and everyone laid on the floor...the kids not even changing in PJ's and went to bed.

What a long adventure but we made it...safe and sound. In the morning we all stepped outside to view our surroundings and home and yard for the first time...Wow, an amazing feeling for all the senses...smelling the pine tree's and fresh air...hearing the birds...seeing the beautiful tall tree's...we're at the end of a dirt road on 25 mostly wooded acres with an old barn and a few out buildings, a 3 bedroom home with a good sized grass yard and then there's just the forest. God is great - it is beautiful here. We are excited to continue exploring, adventuring, learning and being together as a family.

 We parted with most of our belongings...a great lesson for the kids and for us as well that less is more and family and being together is whats most important...we left with our van, my car, and a trailer.

 Utah gave us wind and sunshine...Idaho brought rain.

 Then Montana brought us heavier rain and some snow!

 But we made it 'home'..and this is what our first morning looked like...unpacking...

 Second day - day trip to Spokane, rainy day, called for a fire once we were home.

 Life is an adventure....take chances and have faith.